Isaiah 65:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 65:19 mean?

Isaiah 65:19 describes God’s promise to rejoice in Jerusalem and His people, declaring that sorrow and crying will no longer be heard there. This verse pictures a future time of joy and peace, where pain and sadness are replaced by gladness in the city and among its people.

In this part of Isaiah, God is speaking through the prophet to people who have experienced hardship and exile. The verse offers hope by assuring them that God Himself will take delight in Jerusalem and its inhabitants, and that the sounds of grief—specifically weeping and crying—will be gone. This promise is part of a larger vision of restoration and renewal for the community.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 65:19

• The word for "rejoice" is גִּיל (gil), which often means to exult or be exceedingly glad. This word emphasizes a deep, expressive joy, not just a quiet happiness.
• "Weeping" is בֶּכִי (bekhi), meaning loud, public mourning. The verse specifically says this kind of sorrowful sound will no longer be heard, highlighting a complete change in the emotional atmosphere.
• "Crying" is צְעָקָה (tse‘aqah), which can mean a cry of distress or outcry. The use of both "weeping" and "crying" covers a wide range of sorrowful expression, stressing that all forms of grief will be removed.

Why Isaiah 65:19 matters

• Isaiah 65:19 clarifies that God’s restoration is not just physical or political, but deeply emotional and communal—He promises to remove the very sounds of sorrow from Jerusalem.
• The verse connects to the broader theme in Isaiah 65 of a new creation, where God’s presence brings lasting joy and transforms the experience of His people.
• By using strong words for both joy and sorrow, Isaiah 65:19 emphasizes the completeness of the change God promises, offering hope to those who have known much suffering.