That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

ISAIAH 65:16KJV
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Isaiah 65:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 65:16 mean?

Isaiah 65:16 says that people who want to bless themselves or make oaths will do so by referring to the God of truth, because past troubles have been forgotten and are hidden from God’s sight. The verse points to a time when God’s faithfulness is so well known that He becomes the standard for truth and blessing.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to people who have experienced hardship but are now promised a new beginning. The focus is on a future where God’s reliability and truthfulness are recognized by everyone, replacing old sorrows with hope. This marks a shift from former pain to a renewed relationship with God, where He is openly acknowledged as the source of all blessing and truth.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 65:16

  • The word for "truth" is אמן (’āmēn), often transliterated as "amen," and here it carries the sense of faithfulness, reliability, or certainty. Calling God the "God of truth" means He is the God who can always be trusted.
  • The word for "bless" is ברך (bārak), which means to speak good or invoke favor. In this verse, blessing oneself "in the God of truth" means finding all blessing in God’s character.
  • The word for "swear" is שבע (shāva‘), which means to take an oath. Swearing by the God of truth shows that God is the ultimate guarantee for promises.
  • The word for "troubles" is צרה (tsārāh), meaning distress or hardship. The verse says these troubles are forgotten and hidden from God’s eyes, emphasizing a complete removal of past suffering.

Why Isaiah 65:16 matters

  • Isaiah 65:16 clarifies that God’s faithfulness is meant to be the foundation for all blessing and truth, not just for Israel but as a universal standard.
  • The verse highlights a dramatic change: the past hardships are not just over but are so thoroughly dealt with that they are "hidden" from God’s sight, showing the depth of God’s renewal.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah 65 of God creating a new reality for His people, where sorrow is replaced by joy and God’s character is fully recognized.

Where else these words appear

“truth” Hebrew H543 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
  • Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

“troubles” Hebrew H6869 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
  • Psalms 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
  • Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

“hid” Hebrew H5641 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
  • Psalms 10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
  • Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

“forgotten” Hebrew H7911 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  • Psalms 13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
  • Proverbs 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.