Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Isaiah · About this commentary
Enlarge the Place of Your Tent
Isaiah 54:1-17
1 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth! Break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Yahweh. · WEB
A childless woman is told to buy more tent canvas, and the covenant is guaranteed against the mountains.
Sing, barren, you who didn't give birth!... For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife Isaiah 54:1.
The chapter after the Servant Song opens with the results of it. The barren woman is Zion, and Paul quotes the verse in an argument about the covenants Galatians 4:27.
Enlarge the place of your tent... don't spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes Isaiah 54:2.
The instruction is given before there is anyone to house. A childless woman is told to buy canvas and drive longer pegs — and the last clause is practical: a bigger tent needs deeper anchoring, because the same wind now has more to push against.
For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name Isaiah 54:5.
For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off Isaiah 54:6.
For a small moment I have forsaken you, but I will gather you with great mercies. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you Isaiah 54:7–8.
The two verses are built on a disproportion. A moment against everlasting, twice — and the forsaking is not denied. It is dated.
For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you Isaiah 54:9.
The guarantee is tied to the one promise every reader could check daily. The rainbow argument Genesis 9:11 is offered as the security for this one.
For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace will not be removed Isaiah 54:10.
The most durable things in the landscape are named as the less reliable term.
You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires Isaiah 54:11.
The rebuilding is described in gemstones, and the last book of Scripture uses the same materials for the city that comes down Revelation 21:19.
All your children will be taught by Yahweh, and your children's peace will be great Isaiah 54:13.
Jesus quotes this verse in the synagogue at Capernaum John 6:45.
Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy. No weapon that is formed against you will prevail Isaiah 54:16–17.
The promise is often quoted without the verse before it, which is where its force is. The weapons are real and their maker was created by the one making the promise. Nothing is denied about the armory.
settled What this mark means