And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

ISAIAH 35:10KJV
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Isaiah 35:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 35:10 mean?

Isaiah 35:10 pictures people whom the LORD has rescued returning to Zion, the city of Jerusalem. Their arrival is marked by lasting joy rather than the grief of their former troubles. The verse presents their return as a celebration of a rescue already accomplished.

The image of joy “upon their heads” makes happiness seem almost like something the returning people wear. Sorrow and sighing are pictured as enemies that run away. After the safe road described in verse 9, Isaiah 35:10 brings the travelers to their destination.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 35:10

  • “ransomed” — פָּדָה (padah): This word carries the sense of setting someone free, sometimes by paying a price. Here it identifies the returning people as those whom the LORD has freed.
  • “songs” — רִנָּה (rinnah): This word can mean a ringing cry or a shout of joy. It gives the arrival a sound of public celebration, not merely quiet happiness.
  • “obtain” — נָשַׂג (nasag): This word can mean to reach or overtake. The picture suggests the returning people catching up with joy and gladness, while sorrow and sighing flee in the opposite direction.

Why Isaiah 35:10 matters

  • The return is pictured as a shared journey, not simply a change in one person’s feelings. “The ransomed” come together to Zion, a place associated with Jerusalem.
  • The joy is described as lasting, not just a brief welcome. The verse calls it “everlasting joy,” and the departure of sorrow strengthens that picture.

Where else these words appear

“sighing” Hebrew H585 · used in 11 verses

  • Job 3:24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
  • Psalms 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
  • Isaiah 21:2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

“sorrow” Hebrew H3015 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 42:38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
  • Psalms 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
  • Jeremiah 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.

“gladness” Hebrew H8342 · used in 22 verses

  • Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
  • Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
  • Jeremiah 16:9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

“songs” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.