Isaiah 61 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Addressed to the decades around 540 to 500 BC, during the return from Babylonian exile and the slow rebuilding of Judah
Location
Judah and Jerusalem, where the temple lay in ruins and much of the surrounding land had been depopulated
Audience
Judean Jews who had lost land, family, and status through conquest and deportation
Situation
A speaker announces that God's spirit is on him and that he has been sent to bring good news to the poor, release prisoners, and proclaim a year of God's favor. The rest of the chapter promises that the mourners of the community will rebuild ancient ruins and be recognized among the nations as God's priests.
Key Background
The phrase about a year of the Lord's favor points to the jubilee described in the law of Moses, a scheduled release in which debts were cancelled, people sold into service went free, and family land returned to its original household, which would sound like literal economic rescue to people who had lost their inheritance. Being anointed, meaning having oil poured on the head, marked a person as commissioned for an office such as king or priest, so the opening line claims a formal appointment rather than a private inspiration. The trade of ashes for a headdress and mourning clothes for festive oil reverses the standard mourning customs of the region, where people sat in ash, tore garments, and went without the perfumed oil normally worn at celebrations.
The of the Lord Yahweh is on me, because he has me to bring to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the in heart, to announce to the captives and to those locked in darkness.
to announce the of favor and the day of from our God, to everyone who grieves,
to give to those who grieve in Zion — to give them a of ashes, the of of grief, clothing of praise of a — so they will be called of justice, planted by Yahweh to display his
They will rebuild the ruins, raise up the places long destroyed. They will restore the ruined cities, places left for generations.
will stand and tend your flocks, foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
But you — you will be called of Yahweh, named of our God. You will feast on the of nations and walk proudly in their riches.
Instead of your — a portion. Instead of disgrace — shouts of joy over their share. So in their land they will inherit double, and their joy will never end.
Because I, Yahweh, love justice. I hate and wrongdoing. I will faithfully give them what they're owed and make an with them.
Their will be known among the nations, their offspring among the peoples. Everyone who sees them will recognize that they are a people Yahweh has for
I will with in Yahweh! My whole being will celebrate in my God! Because he has dressed me in rescue, wrapped me in a robe of — like a groom wearing a crown, like a bride adorned with her jewels.
Because as the earth up its growth, and as a garden makes its seeds sprout, so the Lord Yahweh will make and praise sprout up in front of every