Isaiah 49:20
Isaiah 49:20 in Multiple Translations
Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
The children of thy bereavement shall yet say in thine ears, The place is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell.
The children to whom you gave birth in other lands will say in your ears, The place is not wide enough for me: make room for me to have a resting-place.
The children born during your time of mourning in exile will say, “This place is too crowded for me! Make room so I have a place to live!”
The children of thy barennesse shall say againe in thine eares, The place is straict for mee: giue place to me that I may dwell.
Again do the sons of thy bereavement say in thine ears: 'The place is too strait for me, Come nigh to me — and I dwell.'
The children of your bereavement will say in your ears, ‘This place is too small for me. Give me a place to live in.’
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thy ears, The place is too narrow for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
The children of thy barrenness shall still say in thy ears: The place is too strait for me, make me room to dwell in.
The children who were born while you were ◄exiled/in Babylonia► [MET] will return to Jerusalem and say, ‘This city is too small for us; We need more space to live in!’
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 49:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 49:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ע֚וֹד
יֹאמְר֣וּ
בְ/אָזְנַ֔יִ/ךְ
בְּנֵ֖י
שִׁכֻּלָ֑יִ/ךְ
צַר
לִ֥/י
הַ/מָּק֖וֹם
גְּשָׁ/ה
לִּ֥/י
וְ/אֵשֵֽׁבָה
ע֚וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv
יֹאמְר֣וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בְ/אָזְנַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʼôzen
H241
ear
Prep | N-fd | Suff
בְּנֵ֖י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
שִׁכֻּלָ֑יִ/ךְ
shikkulîym
H7923
bereavement
N-mp | Suff
צַר
tsar
H6862
narrow
Adj
לִ֥/י
Prep | Suff
הַ/מָּק֖וֹם
mâqôwm
H4725
place
Art | N-ms
גְּשָׁ/ה
nâgash
H5066
to approach
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
לִּ֥/י
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֵשֵֽׁבָה
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 49:20
ע֚וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
יֹאמְר֣וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בְ/אָזְנַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
Prep | N-fd | Suff
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
בְּנֵ֖י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שִׁכֻּלָ֑יִ/ךְ
shikkulîym
H7923
"bereavement"
N-mp | Suff
This term refers to childlessness due to bereavement, or the loss of children. It describes a state of having no kids after losing others.
Definition: childlessness, bereavement
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: to have after loss of others. See also: Isaiah 49:20.
צַר
tsar
H6862
"narrow"
Adj
This word means hard or narrow, often referring to trouble or a tight spot, like an adversary or affliction. It can also mean a small stone or pebble, such as flint, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe challenges.
Definition: narrow, tight
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble. See also: Genesis 14:20; Psalms 89:24; Psalms 3:2.
לִ֥/י
""
Prep | Suff
הַ/מָּק֖וֹם
mâqôwm
H4725
"place"
Art | N-ms
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
גְּשָׁ/ה
nâgash
H5066
"to approach"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
To approach or draw near, like Moses to the burning bush, and can also mean to worship or present an argument, as in Genesis 18:23.
Definition: : approach 1) to draw near, approach 1a) (Qal) to draw or come near 1a1) of humans 1a1a) of sexual intercourse 1a2) of inanimate subject 1a2a) to approach one another 1b) (Niphal) to draw near 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to approach, bring near, bring 1d) (Hophal) to be brought near 1e) (Hithpael) to draw near Also means: na.gash (נָגַשׁ ": bring" H5066H)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. See also: Genesis 18:23; 1 Samuel 28:25; Psalms 91:7.
לִּ֥/י
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֵשֵֽׁבָה
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Isaiah 49:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 49:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:20
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
- Sermons on Isaiah 49:20
Context — The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
18Lift up your eyes and look around. They all gather together; they come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “you will wear them all as jewelry and put them on like a bride.
19For your ruined and desolate places and your ravaged land will now indeed be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.
20Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’
21Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” 22This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 1:10 | Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ |
| 2 | Joshua 17:14–16 | Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.” Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.” “The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.” |
| 3 | Galatians 4:26–28 | But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. |
| 4 | Matthew 3:9 | And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. |
| 5 | Isaiah 60:4 | Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm. |
| 6 | Isaiah 54:1–3 | “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. “Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep. For you will spread out to the right and left; your descendants will dispossess the nations and inhabit the desolate cities. |
| 7 | Isaiah 51:3 | For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 6:1 | Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. |
Isaiah 49:20 Summary
Isaiah 49:20 is a beautiful promise that God will restore and increase His people, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. It means that even when we feel like we are in a small or limited place, God can bring about amazing growth and expansion, as seen in Acts 2:47. Just like a mother's heart is filled with joy when her children grow and thrive, God's heart is filled with joy when His people multiply and flourish, as stated in Psalm 127:3-5. As we trust in God's promises, we can expect to see His goodness and provision in our lives, just as He has promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the children of bereavement will say the place is too small for them?
This phrase refers to the abundance of spiritual children that will be born again in the future, as prophesied in Isaiah 49:20, and it signifies a time of great growth and expansion for God's people, much like the promise given in Isaiah 54:1-3.
How can a place be too small if it was previously desolate and ravaged?
According to Isaiah 49:19, even the desolate and ravaged land will be too small for God's people due to their rapid growth and increase, as God restores and rejuvenates the land, as seen in Ezekiel 36:33-38.
What is the significance of the children of bereavement in this verse?
The children of bereavement represent the spiritual offspring that will be born again in the future, as a result of God's restoration and redemption, as prophesied in Isaiah 49:20, and it is a fulfillment of God's promise to His people, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has restored and expanded my life, and how can I trust Him for even more?
- How can I make room for the new things that God wants to do in my life, just like the children of bereavement asked for more room in Isaiah 49:20?
- In what ways can I be a part of God's plan to increase and expand His kingdom, as prophesied in Isaiah 49:20?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:20
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other,.... Which "other lost" are not the Jews, the broken branches, rejected and cut off for unbelief; and the "children after" them not
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:20
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, Heb. The children of thine orbity or barren and childless state. Those children which thou shalt have when thou art grown past the ordinary age and state of childbearing, as Sarah was made the mother of a most numerous posterity; . to which he seems here to allude. Those Gentiles which shall be begotten by thee, to wit, by the ministry of thy children, Christ and his apostles, when thou shalt be deprived of thine own natural children, when thou shalt become barren and unfruitful as to conversion of natural Jews, when the generality of the Jews shall cut themselves off from God, and from his true church, by their apostacy from God, and by their unbelief and obstinate refusal of their Messiah. Shall say again, or rather, shall yet say, though for the present it be otherwise.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
Isaiah 49:20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place [is] too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.Ver. 20. The children.] Heb., The children of thine orbity; such as are not yet received into the Church. Give place to me that I may.] People shall offer violence to heaven, and the "violent shall take it by force": valde avide et quasi ambitiose accessuri sunt. Ezekiel describeth the Church of the New Testament to be very large and spacious, and yet she shall be so crowded as is a bee hive, out of the mouth whereof the bees oft hang in heaps for want of room within.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
(20) The children which thou shalt have . . .—Better, the children of thy bereavement (i.e., born when Zion thought herself bereaved) shall yet say . . .
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:20
20. The children … other] Lit. the sons of thy bereavement, i.e. those born to thee in the time of thy bereavement (see Isaiah 49:21). shall yet say in thine ears] The mother overhears the talk of her vigorous and enterprising offspring. the place is too strait for me] Cf. 2 Kings 6:1. Give place to me] This peculiar sense of the verb (usually “draw near”) finds an exact parallel in Genesis 19:9. Comp. Isaiah 65:5, “draw near to thyself” = “stand off,”—a different, but synonymous verb.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:20
The children which thou shalt have - The increase of the population shall be so great.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:20
20. The place is too strait — So full of happy dwellers this place shall be, that thy children, as they come to thee with sympathy on occasion of some lost one, shall say over and over in thy
Sermons on Isaiah 49:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Church Increase by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the preacher emphasizes the power of small acts in bringing souls to Christ. He encourages the congregati |
|
Hosea #1 Ch. 1 Introduction by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various themes found in the book of Isaiah and draws parallels to the current state of the country. The sermon touches on topics such as viol |
|
Holy God, Holy People by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of holiness as mentioned in 1 Peter. He emphasizes the importance of setting our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to u |
|
Christ the Man #1 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of learning and remembering spiritual principles. He highlights the story of a man who relied on the Lord and experienced divi |
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The Last Revival by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith that drives out fear. He quotes Isaiah 54:4, which reassures believers that they will not be ashamed or repro |
|
New Covenant - the Shadow and Reality - Part 4 by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the significance of sanctification through Christ alone, highlighting the futility of striving to be holy on our own and the necessity of embracing the new c |
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Heavenly Life Encouragements by Richard Baxter | Richard Baxter preaches about the importance of maintaining a heavenly life through serious and frequent meditation, emphasizing the spiritual joys, stability, and lasting comfort |