That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

ISAIAH 44:26KJV
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Isaiah 44:26 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:26 mean?

Isaiah 44:26 describes God as the one who keeps His promises by making the words of His servant come true and carrying out the plans of His messengers. God declares that Jerusalem will be lived in again, and the cities of Judah will be rebuilt, even after destruction.

In this verse, God is speaking through Isaiah to the people of Israel, many of whom faced exile and ruin. The verse reassures them that God’s word is reliable—He will restore Jerusalem and Judah’s cities, even when they seem desolate. The focus is on God’s faithfulness to fulfill what He has promised through His prophets.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:26

  • confirmeth (קוּם, qum): This word often means "to establish" or "to make stand." Here, it highlights God’s power to make sure that what He says through His servant actually happens.
  • performeth (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means "to complete" or "to bring to fulfillment." It emphasizes that God not only promises but also fully accomplishes what He says through His messengers.
  • inhabited (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means "to dwell" or "to settle." God’s promise that Jerusalem will be "inhabited" assures the people that life will return to the city, not just its physical rebuilding.
  • decayed places (חָרְבָּה, chorbah): This word refers to ruins or places laid waste. God’s promise to "raise up" these places shows His intent to restore what has been destroyed, not just maintain what already exists.

Why Isaiah 44:26 matters

  • Isaiah 44:26 clears up the fear that God’s promises are empty or forgotten, especially in times of national disaster or exile.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s authority is behind the words of His prophets—what they say in His name will truly happen.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah of restoration after judgment, showing that God’s plans for His people include hope and renewal, not just punishment.

Where else these words appear

“places” Hebrew H2723 · used in 42 verses

  • Leviticus 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.
  • Isaiah 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
  • Ezekiel 25:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

“counsel” Hebrew H6098 · used in 85 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
  • Job 21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
  • Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

“performeth” Hebrew H7999 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
  • 1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
  • Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.