Isaiah 51:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 51:19 mean?

Isaiah 51:19 describes how Jerusalem has suffered two overwhelming disasters—desolation and destruction, along with famine and the sword—and asks who will feel compassion or bring comfort to the city in this time of crisis. The verse expresses a sense of abandonment and the depth of Jerusalem’s suffering, highlighting that no one is left to help or console her.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to Jerusalem, personified as a woman who has endured great hardship. The context is a time when the people have faced national calamity, likely due to conquest and exile. Isaiah’s words emphasize the severity of the city’s situation and the lack of anyone able to bring relief or comfort, setting up the need for God’s intervention in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 51:19

• "Desolation" (שֹׁאָה, sho’ah) means devastation or ruin. This word often describes total destruction, underscoring how thoroughly Jerusalem has been laid waste.
• "Destruction" (שֶׁבֶר, shever) refers to breaking or shattering, suggesting not just physical ruin but also the breaking of the people’s spirit or community.
• "Famine" (רָעָב, ra’av) points to severe hunger, a common result of siege or war, adding to the misery described.
• "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev) is a common biblical image for war and violence, making clear that Jerusalem’s suffering includes both starvation and bloodshed.
• "Comfort" (נָחַם, nacham) means to console or bring relief. The use of this word highlights the absence of anyone able to ease Jerusalem’s pain.

Why Isaiah 51:19 matters

• Isaiah 51:19 clarifies that Jerusalem’s suffering is not just physical but also emotional and communal, with no one left to offer comfort.
• The verse highlights the completeness of the disaster—covering destruction, famine, and violence—helping readers understand the depth of the city’s need.
• This verse sets up the hope and promise of God’s future comfort and restoration, which Isaiah will address in the following passages.