The big picture
Isaiah 61 opens in verse 1 with “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD : men shall call you the Ministers of our…”, and closes in verse 11 with “For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, righteousness, desolations, double, everlasting. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 11Isaiah 61:1-6
1–6: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me…
Isaiah 61:1–6 opens with “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings…” and reaches “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD : men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 61 develops its own movement around LORD, righteousness, desolations, double, everlasting, with particular weight carried by LORD, desolations, mourn.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath…” The verse names Lord and Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD , and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Isaiah 61:1-6
King James Version1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD , and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD , that he might be glorified.
4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD : men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isaiah 61:7-11
7–11: For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall…
Isaiah 61:7–11 opens with “For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion…” and reaches “For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 61 develops its own movement around LORD, righteousness, desolations, double, everlasting, with particular weight carried by LORD, double, everlasting.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Isaiah 61:7-11
King James Version7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD , my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 61:1 begins with “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the…”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 61:6 forms a natural hinge: “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD : men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory…”
The final note
Isaiah 61:11 leaves the reader with “For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, righteousness, desolations, double, everlasting, Gentiles help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.