> [[isaiah-60|← Previous]] | [[isaiah-00|TOC]] | [[isaiah-62|Next →]] --- # Isaiah, Chapter 61 ## Chapter 61 ### The Anointed Bearer of Glad Tidings 1 The spirit of the Lord G OD is upon me, ^isaiah-61-1 because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, 2 To announce a year of favor from the LORD ^isaiah-61-2 and a day of vindication by our God; To comfort all who mourn; 3 to place on those who mourn in Zion ^isaiah-61-3 a diadem instead of ashes, To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit. ### Restoration and Blessing They will be called oaks of justice, the planting of the LORD to show his glory. 4 They shall rebuild the ancient ruins, ^isaiah-61-4 the former wastes they shall raise up And restore the desolate cities, devastations of generation upon generation. 5 Strangers shall stand ready to pasture your flocks, ^isaiah-61-5 foreigners shall be your farmers and vinedressers. 6 You yourselves shall be called “Priests of the LORD,” ^isaiah-61-6 “Ministers of our God” you shall be called. You shall eat the wealth of the nations and in their riches you will boast. 7 Because their shame was twofold ^isaiah-61-7 and disgrace was proclaimed their portion, They will possess twofold in their own land; everlasting joy shall be theirs. ### God’s Word of Promise 8 For I, the LORD, love justice, ^isaiah-61-8 I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, an everlasting covenant I will make with them. 9 Their offspring shall be renowned among the nations, ^isaiah-61-9 and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; All who see them shall acknowledge them: “They are offspring the LORD has blessed.” ### Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance 10 I will rejoice heartily in the LORD, ^isaiah-61-10 my being exults in my God; For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 As the earth brings forth its shoots, ^isaiah-61-11 and a garden makes its seeds spring up, So will the Lord G OD make justice spring up, and praise before all the nations. \* (61:1] – [2) The prophet proclaims that he has been anointed by the Lord to bring good news (cf. [40:9]) to the afflicted and to comfort Zion. The background to the “year of favor” is the jubilee year of release from debts ([Lv 25:10] – [11]; [Is 49:8]). \* (61:6) The bestowal of a new name suggests a new identity and mission. The whole people will be priests (cf. ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:6]), even ministering to nations who will serve God’s people. \* (61:7) Twofold: Israel was punished double for infidelity ([40:2]); the blessings of its restoration will also be double. \* (61:10] – [11) The new life of the restored Zion is expressed in nuptial (cf. also [62:5]) and agricultural (cf. v. [3]; [60:21]) imagery. a. (61:1) [Is 40:9]; [42:1]; [48:16]; [52:7]; [58:7]; ([[luke-04| [[luke-04|Lk 4]]:]]:18] – [19]. b. (61:2) ([[matthew-05|Mt 5]]:4]. c. (61:4) [Is 58:12]. d. (61:6) ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:6]; [1 Pt 2:9]. e. (61:7) [Is 40:2]. f. (61:8) [Is 55:3]; [54:9] – [10]; [59:21]. g. (61:10) [1 Sm 2:1]; [Ps 138:1] – [2]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[isaiah-60|← Previous]] | [[isaiah-00|TOC]] | [[isaiah-62|Next →]]