Isaiah 44:26

44:26 who fulfills the oracles of his prophetic servants ¹ 

and brings to pass the announcements ²  of his messengers,

who says about Jerusalem, ³  ‘She will be inhabited,’

and about the towns of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt,

her ruins I will raise up,’

Isaiah 61:3

61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,

by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,

oil symbolizing joy, ⁴  instead of mourning,

a garment symbolizing praise, ⁵  instead of discouragement. ⁶ 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, ⁷ 

trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor. ⁸ 

[44:26]  ¹ tn Heb “the word of his servant.” The following context indicates that the Lord’s prophets are in view.

[44:26]  ² tn Heb “counsel.” The Hebrew term עֵצָה (’etsah) probably refers here to the divine plan as announced by the prophets. See HALOT 867 s.v. I עֵצָה.

[44:26]  ³ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[61:3]  ⁴ tn Heb “oil of joy” (KJV, ASV); NASB, NIV, NRSV “the oil of gladness.”

[61:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “garment of praise.”

[61:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “a faint spirit” (so NRSV); KJV, ASV “the spirit of heaviness”; NASB “a spirit of fainting.”

[61:3]  ⁷ tn Rather than referring to the character of the people, צֶדֶק (tsedeq) may carry the nuance “vindication” here, suggesting that God’s restored people are a testimony to his justice. See v. 2, which alludes to the fact that God will take vengeance against the enemies of his people. Cf. NAB “oaks of justice.”

[61:3]  ⁸ tn Heb “a planting of the Lord to reveal splendor.”