Isaiah Chapter 65 · Verse 23
They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽיגְעוּ֙
They shall not labour
H3021
יִֽיגְעוּ֙
They shall not labour
Strong's:
H3021
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
לָרִ֔יק
in vain
H7385
לָרִ֔יק
in vain
Strong's:
H7385
Word #:
3 of 13
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵלְד֖וּ
nor bring forth
H3205
יֵלְד֖וּ
nor bring forth
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
5 of 13
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶ֜רַע
for they are the seed
H2233
זֶ֜רַע
for they are the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
8 of 13
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
בְּרוּכֵ֤י
of the blessed
H1288
בְּרוּכֵ֤י
of the blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
9 of 13
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 61:9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.Isaiah 55:2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.Isaiah 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.Genesis 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:Genesis 17:7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.Haggai 2:19Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Historical Context
The exile brought the horror of laboring in vain—all efforts destroyed—and children born into captivity or death (Lamentations 2:11-12, 20). Even after return, insecurity persisted. The prophecy looked beyond temporal circumstances to covenant security. The early church experienced fruitful labor (Acts 6:7, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 2:16) and saw generational blessing as children were included in the covenant (Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14). Complete fulfillment awaits the consummated kingdom where all labor produces lasting fruit and all covenant children enjoy perfect security.
Questions for Reflection
- How does union with Christ ensure our labor is 'not in vain' (1 Corinthians 15:58)?
- What does it mean that believers and their offspring are 'the seed of the blessed of the LORD'?
- How should covenant promises to our children shape our parenting and discipleship?
Analysis & Commentary
The promise extends to labor and offspring: "They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble." Labor won't be futile (riq—empty/vain), and children won't be born for behalah (sudden terror/calamity). This reverses the curse where labor is toilsome and uncertain (Genesis 3:17-19) and children face premature death or disaster. The reason: "for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them." Being zera berukhei Adonai (seed of the blessed of the LORD) guarantees covenant protection and blessing. The phrase "and their offspring with them" extends blessing generationally—covenant promises encompass descendants. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the covenant of grace extending to believers and their children (Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14). While salvation requires individual regeneration, God's covenant mercies typically flow through family lines. Believers' labor has eternal significance (1 Corinthians 15:58), and their children are set apart as holy, recipients of covenant promises and means of grace.