1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah:Our city is strong; salvation he has set upas walls and barricades!
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
2 Open the gates to let in the nationrighteous because it keeps faith.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
3 Those whose minds are steadfast, O Jehovah,you preserve in perfect peace,for in you they are secure.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
4 Ever trust in Jehovah,for Jehovah, Yah, is an everlasting Rock.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
5 He has put down the elite inhabitantsof the exalted cityby casting it to the ground,laying it even with the dust.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
6 It is trodden underfoot by the feet of the poor,by the footsteps of those impoverished.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
7 The path of the righteous is straight;you pave an undeviating course for the upright.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
8 In the very passage of your ordinanceswe anticipate you, O Jehovah;the soul’s desire is to contemplate your name.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
9 My soul yearns for you in the night;at daybreak my spirit within me seeks after you.For when your ordinances are on the earth,the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
10 Though favor be shown the wicked,they will not learn righteousness;in a land of uprightness they remain perverseand see not the glory of Jehovah.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
11 O Jehovah, your hand is lifted up,but they perceive it not.Let them perceive with dismayyour zeal for your peoplewhen the fire prepared for your enemiesconsumes them.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
12 O Jehovah, you bring about our peace;even all that we have accomplishedyou have done for us.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
13 O Jehovah, our God, lords other than youhave ruled over us,but you alone we recall by name.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
14 They are dead, to live no more,spirits who will not rise up;you appoint them to destruction,wiping out all recollection of them.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
15 You have enlarged the nation, O Jehovah,and by enlarging it gained glory for yourself;you have withdrawn all borders in the earth.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
16 O Jehovah, in their distress they remembered you;they poured out silent prayerswhen your chastisements were upon them.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
17 As a woman about to give birthcries out from her pangs during labor,so were we at your presence, O Jehovah.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
18 We were with child; we have been in labor,but have brought forth only wind.We have not wrought salvation in the earth,that the inhabitants of the world might not fall.a
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the burning wind that obliterates Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations after they are warned.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his repentant people, of which they haven't sufficiently testified to the inhabitants of the world.
green
19 Yet shall your dead live when their bodiesb arise.You will say to them,Awake, and sing for joy,you who abide in the dust:your dew is the dew of sunrise!For the earth shall cast up its dead.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the burning wind that obliterates Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations after they are warned.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his repentant people, of which they haven't sufficiently testified to the inhabitants of the world.
green
20 Come, O my people, enter your chambersand shut the doors behind you;hide yourselves a little whileuntil the wrath is past.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the burning wind that obliterates Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations after they are warned.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his repentant people, of which they haven't sufficiently testified to the inhabitants of the world.
green
A pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies Jehovah's wrath toward his apostate people and the nations when Jehovah comes out in judgment against them.
red
21 For now will Jehovah come out of his dwelling placeto punish the inhabitants of the earthfor their iniquities;the earth will uncover the blood shed upon itand no more conceal its slain.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose presence protects them during his millennial reign of peace.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who acts as a stronghold and sanctuary to his repentant people amidst the perils that befall the world's wicked inhabitants in his Day of Judgment.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and restores Jehovah's pure ordinances before Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness and establishes righteousness among Jehovah's people before Jehovah comes to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of (1) the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, whom Jehovah empowers to smite a wicked world; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, whom Jehovah empowers to deliver his people.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's zeal for his people in restoring them beyond their former glory and preparing the way for Jehovah's millennial reign of peace.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the fire that consumes Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations in a worldwide holocaust.
red
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies the burning wind that obliterates Jehovah's unrepentant people and the nations after they are warned.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his repentant people, of which they haven't sufficiently testified to the inhabitants of the world.
green
A pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who personifies Jehovah's wrath toward his apostate people and the nations when Jehovah comes out in judgment against them.
red
Apocalyptic Commentary
Isaiah 26
The “land of Judah”—a codename of the Promised Land—is where Jehovah’s people at home find safety in the righteous “city,” counterpart of the wicked “city” that descends into the dust (vv 5-6; Isaiah 25:12; 47:1). Respectively representing Zion and Greater Babylon, these “cities” coexist briefly until Jehovah delivers the one and destroys the other. Those comprising the righteous city sing a Song of Salvation, knowing that Jehovah—their salvation—now dwells with them and protects them better than the “walls and barricades” that failed to keep their enemies at bay (Isaiah 2:12-15; 5:5-6; 22:8).
Continuing their Song of Salvation (v 1), those at home welcome from abroad those of Jehovah’s people who “keep faith,” whose “minds are steadfast”—inferring that those who didn’t keep faith, whose minds weren’t steadfast, aren’t with them. Jehovah preserves his faithful people in perfect “peace”—a synonym of healing and salvation (Isaiah 52:7; 53:5; 57:19)—while for the wicked “there is no peace” (Isaiah 48:18, 22; 57:21). Although to his elect Jehovah is a “Rock” of salvation (Isaiah 17:10; 30:29; 44:8), to the unrepentant he is a “stumbling block or obstructing rock” (Isaiah 8:14; emphasis added).
The exalted “city” that epitomizes Greater Babylon Jehovah casts “to the ground . . . even with the dust,” signifying its being reduced to chaos or to a nonentity. In Jehovah’s Day of Judgment, its “elite inhabitants” are “put down” together with all in the world who exalt themselves (Isaiah 2:12-17; 3:16-24; 13:11; 14:11-20; 47:1-15). The poor and impoverished—for whom Jehovah constitutes a refuge (Isaiah 25:4; cf. 11:4; 14:30; 41:17)—tread underfoot those who oppressed them: “You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet” (Malachi 4:3; cf. Isaiah 41:25).
The path to salvation—to deliverance from all evil, spiritual and temporal—is straight or without deviation; and singular, or only one (Isaiah 40:14). It defines the course or moral compass of the “righteous” or “righteous one” (saddiq), signifying the role of Jehovah’s servant as an exemplar of righteousness to Jehovah’s people (Isaiah 41:2; 46:11-13). The righteous “anticipate” or “wait for” (qiwweh) Jehovah to manifest himself to them, as symbolically enacted through temple ordinances or rites of passage. Their soul’s desire is to contemplate his “name,” alluding to his presence (cf. Isaiah 38:11).
The lives of Jehovah’s righteous people are oriented around Jehovah and the terms of his covenants. The personal pronouns “me” and “my” show that it is a person’s individual choice, not a collective psyche, that leads into Jehovah’s presence—that righteousness is learned through one’s own volition. Jehovah’s ordinances serve as a channel to that soul or spirit who yearns for him and seeks after him night and day. Jehovah’s raising up his end-time servant—his righteousness—accelerates his people’s preparation throughout the earth for Jehovah’s anticipated coming (Isaiah 46:11-13; 51:1, 4-8; 56:1).
Although prior to Jehovah’s Day of Judgment the righteous and wicked live side by side, only those who “learn righteousness” by Jehovah’s standard perceive or discern (1) Jehovah’s zeal for his people as typified by his servant; and (2) the fire Jehovah prepares for their enemies as typified by the king of Assyria/Babylon. Although Jehovah shows them favor the same as the righteous, the wicked remain perverse or unrighteous and reject Jehovah’s righteousness—his servant. Spiritually blind, they recognize neither Jehovah’s hand of deliverance nor his hand of destruction (Isaiah 14:26-27; 41:10, 13).
The polarization of people prior to Jehovah’s Day of Judgment—in which the righteous increase in righteousness and the wicked increase in wickedness—ultimately leads to the one qualifying for deliverance under the terms of Jehovah’s covenants and the other sealing their own damnation. Still, the righteous take no credit for their righteousness, knowing that by the grace of God they are saved after all they can do. The peace that Jehovah wrought for them—“the price of our peace he incurred” (Isaiah 53:5)—they now inherit in the millennial age (v 3; Isaiah 32:17; 33:20; 54:13-14; 57:2; 66:12).
Jehovah’s elect celebrate his lordship as the millennial age begins, acknowledging him alone as “our God”—their covenant Lord. From his manifesting himself to them in response to their invoking his name (vv 7-9; Isaiah 41:25; 52:6; 56:6), they know him personally. The oppressive “lords” who had hitherto ruled them, on the other hand, are dead, powerless to “live” or “regenerate” (yihiyu); “spirits” or “ghosts” (repa’im) unable to “rise up” or “resurrect” (yaqumu) from the dead. Appointed to destruction, they and the memory of them are wiped out as if they had never existed (Isaiah 14:20).
When the Assyrian alliance is at last overthrown, the world it conquered becomes Jehovah’s. Although the archtyrant boasted that he had “done away with the borders of nations” (Isaiah 10:13; cf. 14:6, 12, 16-17, 21; 37:18), after Jehovah’s servant vanquishes him, the whole earth is restored to its Maker (Isaiah 12:4-6; 27:2-3; 52:7-10; 54:5; 60:21; 62:11; 66:1). Jehovah “enlarges” (yasapta) the nation of his people by restoring the descendants of Joseph (yosep) and Judah, reuniting them through the instrumentality of his servant (Isaiah 9:3-7; 11:10-14; 49:5-6; 55:4-5; 56:8; cf. Ezekiel 37:15-22).
Those of Jehovah’s people who didn’t prove valiant but who still survived into the millennial age recount their times of distress when Jehovah’s chastisements impelled them to turn back to him. At the time of Jehovah’s coming, the whole earth goes into labor (Isaiah 13:8; 21:3; 42:14; 66:7-9). But instead of bringing forth a deliverer, or preparing the world for Jehovah’s coming as salvation, his people bring forth but wind, an allusion to the archtyrant who oppresses them. Only Jehovah’s elect bring forth a deliverer (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:10-12; 19:20; 41:2-3; 45:13; 48:14-15; 49:1, 5; 55:3-5; 66:7).
As the millennial age dawns, Jehovah’s dead—the righteous departed—“live” or “regenerate” (yihiyu) when their bodies “arise” or resurrect” (yequmun) (cf. Isaiah 25:7-8). Unlike persons in the Perdition category—who don’t “regenerate” or “resurrect” (v 14)—Jehovah’s holy ones, who are affiliated with Zion, awake and arise from the dust: “Awake, arise; clothe yourself with power, O Zion! . . . Shake yourself free, rise from the dust; sit enthroned, O Jerusalem” (Isaiah 52:1-2; cf. 51:9). Like the dew of sunrise that revives plant life, Jehovah’s coming to his elect regenerates them (Isaiah 35:4-6; 66:14).
As at Israel’s ancient Passover (Exodus 12), Jehovah’s covenant people are to “hide” in their habitations until his wrath is past—until the king of Assyria/Babylon’s work of punishing the wicked blows over and he is punished himself. While Jehovah intervenes to protect his elect who participate in a new exodus to Zion (Isaiah 43:2, 5-6, 48:20-21#three_col">Isaiah 43:2, 5-6, 48:20-21-Isaiah 43:2, 5-6, 16-48:20-21; 48:20-21; 52:11-12; 48:20-21; 52:11-12-Isaiah 43:2, 5-6, 16-48:20-21; 48:20-21; 52:11-12; 48:20-21; 52:11-12), he protects only indirectly those who don’t prove loyal under all conditions and thus don’t qualify for the new exodus. On resurrection morning—at Jehovah’s coming to reign—the earth’s slain, too, awake to a glorious new age (v 19).