What does Isaiah 65:21 mean?
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." - Isaiah 65:21

Isaiah 65:21 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." This verse is part of a larger prophecy in the Book of Isaiah, which is traditionally attributed to the Prophet Isaiah. The book is a collection of prophecies, warnings, and promises to the people of Israel, especially during the time of their captivity in Babylon. The specific verse in question is part of a vision of the future restoration of Jerusalem and the promise of peace and prosperity for the faithful.
The verse speaks to the hope and promise of a future time when the people of Israel will live in peace and security, free from the hardships and suffering they have endured. It is a vision of a time when the people will no longer be subject to the destruction and chaos that has plagued them, but rather will be able to build and cultivate their own homes and land, enjoying the fruits of their labor without fear of oppression or loss.
In a broader sense, this verse speaks to the themes of restoration, renewal, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Throughout the Book of Isaiah, there are numerous prophecies of a future time of peace and prosperity for the people of Israel. These prophecies are often given in the context of the people's struggles and suffering, serving as a source of hope and comfort in times of hardship. This particular verse is a vivid portrayal of the future blessings that God has in store for His people, offering a vision of a world transformed by His grace and mercy.
The imagery of building houses and planting vineyards carries a deep symbolism in the biblical context. Building houses represents the security and stability of family life, while planting vineyards and eating the fruit of them signifies the prosperity and abundance that comes from the land. These activities also hearken back to the ancient Israelite way of life, where the land and its produce were essential to their survival and well-being. By invoking these images, the verse communicates the idea of a return to the ideal state of existence that God intended for His people, where they can live in harmony with the land and each other.
Furthermore, the verse can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the rebuilding of the community of faith. Just as the people of Israel will physically build houses and plant vineyards, they will also have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and their relationship with God. This theme of spiritual renewal is a recurring motif throughout the Book of Isaiah, as the prophet calls the people to repentance and a return to faithful obedience to God.
Overall, Isaiah 65:21 is a powerful and evocative expression of the promises of God for His people. It speaks to the enduring hope and faith of the Israelites, offering a vision of a future filled with peace, abundance, and restoration. The verse reminds us of God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenant and His enduring desire to bless His people. It is a message of comfort and hope that transcends the specific historical context of its original audience and continues to inspire believers to this day.
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Isaiah 65:21 - "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them."
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." - Isaiah 65:21
Isaiah 65:8 A new wine
Isaiah 65:6 - "Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,"
Isaiah 65:17 - "¶ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."
Isaiah 65:23 - "They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them."
Isaiah 65:24 - "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."
Isaiah 65:3 - "A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;"
Isaiah 65:11 - "But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number."
Isaiah 65:4 - "Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;"
Isaiah 65:19 - "And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
Isaiah 65:10 - "And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me."
Isaiah 65:18 - "But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy."
Isaiah 65:14 - "Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit."
Isaiah 65:2 - "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;"
Isaiah 65:9 - "And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there."
Isaiah 65:15 - "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:"
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." - Isaiah 65:17
Isaiah 65:5 - "Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day."
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24
Isaiah 65:22 - "They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."
Isaiah 65:1 - "I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name."
Isaiah 65:8 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all."
Isaiah 65:7 - "Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom."
Isaiah 65:25 - "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD."
"Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom," - Isaiah 65:6
Isaiah 65:20 - "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."
"They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them." - Isaiah 65:23
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." - Isaiah 65:24
Isaiah 65:16 - "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."