myBibleHistory

Journey of a Passage

Isaiah 65:17–25

"New heavens and a new earth": a hundred years, houses, vineyards and the wolf with the lamb

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered… 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." Isaiah's new creation still has death: a hundred-year-old who dies is young, and sinners are still cursed. People build houses and live in them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. Revelation 21:1–4 takes up "a new heaven and a new earth" and says "there shall be no more death": a different picture.

Same letters, different readings: the consonants agree, but ancient readers vocalized or interpreted them differently

The family tree

Each row is a language or text tradition. Witnesses in the same row may share ancestry, revise one another, or have an uncertain relationship; the line under each box says which. A solid arrow appears only where direct copying or a documented revised edition is established. Order by date never implies copying. Scroll sideways on a phone.

✓ contains it · ✕ does not · ❝ quotes part of it · ⓘ reports on manuscripts · ▢ pages lost · – no copy survives

  • Same line, through lost copies
  • Translation
  • Uncertain connection
Hebrew
  1. The oracle as first spoken or written8th–6th century BC (by section; debated)
  2. Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa-a), Qumran Cave 1c. 125 BC (palaeography; reported)Descends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written
  3. 1QIsa-b (1Q8), Qumran Cave 11st century BC – 1st century AD (reported)Descends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written
  4. Masoretic Text (Leningrad Codex)AD 1008Descends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written
Greek
  1. Greek Isaiah (library: Giguet's French)Greek translation c. 2nd century BC; French 1872Translated from the Old Greek Isaiah
Latin
  1. Latin Vulgate (Clementine)Jerome c. AD 400, from Hebrew; edition 1592Translated from the Hebrew text Jerome used
English
  1. King James Bible1611Translated from printed Masoretic Hebrew
New Testament quotation
  1. Revelation 21:1 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)1st century AD; edition 2010sUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)
  2. Revelation 21:4 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)1st century AD; edition 2010sUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)
  3. 2 Peter 3:13 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)1st century AD; edition 2010sUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

Every witness, in order

  1. 8th–6th century BC (by section; debated)

    The oracle as first spoken or written

    – No copy survives

    No original survives. The oldest copies of Isaiah are the Qumran scrolls: the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa-a, about 125 BC, nearly complete), 1QIsa-b (1Q8) and some twenty other fragmentary manuscripts.

  2. c. 125 BC (palaeography; reported)

    Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa-a), Qumran Cave 1

    ✓ Contains this passageDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

    How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

    Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 65:17–25. Vv. 17–25 as the Masoretic Text in substance, including the hundred-year-old who dies young (v. 20) and "as the days of a tree" (v. 22, without the article); "wolf" spelled without its aleph in v. 25. Otherwise the differences are of spelling (fuller use of vowel letters) and small grammatical forms.

  3. 1st century BC – 1st century AD (reported)

    1QIsa-b (1Q8), Qumran Cave 1

    ◐ Contains part of itDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

    How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

    Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 65:17–25. As the Masoretic Text in substance; in v. 20 "there" without "from"; several words damaged.

  4. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

    Revelation 21:1 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

    ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

    ¶Καὶ εἶδον οὐρανὸν καινὸν καὶ γῆν καινήν· ὁ γὰρ πρῶτος οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ πρώτη γῆ ἀπῆλθαν, καὶ ἡ θάλασσα οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι.

    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea is no more

    Revelation's vision. Allusion, not a quotation. KJV: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

  5. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

    Revelation 21:4 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

    ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

    καὶ ἐξαλείψει πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ ὁ θάνατος οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι, οὔτε πένθος, οὔτε κραυγὴ, οὔτε πόνος, οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι. Τὰ πρῶτα ἀπῆλθαν.”

    and he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither mourning nor crying nor pain any more; the former things have passed away

    Compare Isaiah 25:8 (death swallowed up) and 65:19 (no more weeping); unlike 65:20, no death at all. KJV: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

  6. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

    2 Peter 3:13 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

    ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

    Καινοὺς δὲ οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινὴν, κατὰ τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ προσδοκῶμεν, ἐν οἷς δικαιοσύνη κατοικεῖ.

    But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells

    After the elements are dissolved by fire (3:10–12). Allusion, not a quotation. KJV: "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

  7. Jerome c. AD 400, from Hebrew; edition 1592

    Latin Vulgate (Clementine)

    ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from the Hebrew text Jerome used

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: Clementine Vulgate (1592 edition).

    Ecce enim ego creo cælos novos, et terram novam; et non erunt in memoria priora, et non ascendent super cor. Sed gaudebitis et exsultabitis usque in sempiternum in his quæ ego creo: quia ecce ego creo Jerusalem exsultationem, et populum ejus gaudium. Et exsultabo in Jerusalem, et gaudebo in populo meo, et non audietur in eo ultra vox fletus et vox clamoris. Non erit ibi amplius infans dierum, et senex qui non impleat dies suos, quoniam puer centum annorum morietur, et peccator centum annorum maledictus erit. Et ædificabunt domos, et habitabunt; et plantabunt vineas, et comedent fructus earum. Non ædificabunt, et alius habitabit; non plantabunt, et alius comedet: secundum enim dies ligni erunt dies populi mei, et opera manuum eorum inveterabunt. Electi mei non laborabunt frustra, neque generabunt in conturbatione, quia semen benedictorum Domini est, et nepotes eorum cum eis. Eritque antequam clament, ego exaudiam; adhuc illis loquentibus, ego audiam. Lupus et agnus pascentur simul, leo et bos comedent paleas, et serpenti pulvis panis ejus. Non nocebunt, neque occident in omni monte sancto meo, dicit Dominus.

    Latin numbering: Isaiah 65:17–25. Jerome translated Isaiah from Hebrew (c. AD 400).

  8. AD 1008

    Masoretic Text (Leningrad Codex)

    ✓ Contains this passageDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, a digital transcription of the Leningrad Codex.

    כִּֽי־הִנְנִ֥י בוֹרֵ֛א שָׁמַ֥יִם חֲדָשִׁ֖ים וָאָ֣רֶץ חֲדָשָׁ֑ה וְלֹ֤א תִזָּכַ֙רְנָה֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנ֔וֹת וְלֹ֥א תַעֲלֶ֖ינָה עַל־לֵֽב׃ כִּֽי־אִם־שִׂ֤ישׂוּ וְגִ֙ילוּ֙ עֲדֵי־עַ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֣י בוֹרֵ֑א כִּי֩ הִנְנִ֨י בוֹרֵ֧א אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלַ֛͏ִם גִּילָ֖ה וְעַמָּ֥הּ מָשֽׂוֹשׂ׃ וְגַלְתִּ֥י בִירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם וְשַׂשְׂתִּ֣י בְעַמִּ֑י וְלֹֽא־יִשָּׁמַ֥ע בָּהּ֙ ע֔וֹד ק֥וֹל בְּכִ֖י וְק֥וֹל זְעָקָֽה׃ לֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֨ה מִשָּׁ֜ם ע֗וֹד ע֤וּל יָמִים֙ וְזָקֵ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יְמַלֵּ֖א אֶת־יָמָ֑יו כִּ֣י הַנַּ֗עַר בֶּן־מֵאָ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ יָמ֔וּת וְהַ֣חוֹטֶ֔א בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה יְקֻלָּֽל׃ וּבָנ֥וּ בָתִּ֖ים וְיָשָׁ֑בוּ וְנָטְע֣וּ כְרָמִ֔ים וְאָכְל֖וּ פִּרְיָֽם׃ לֹ֤א יִבְנוּ֙ וְאַחֵ֣ר יֵשֵׁ֔ב לֹ֥א יִטְּע֖וּ וְאַחֵ֣ר יֹאכֵ֑ל כִּֽי־כִימֵ֤י הָעֵץ֙ יְמֵ֣י עַמִּ֔י וּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיהֶ֖ם יְבַלּ֥וּ בְחִירָֽי׃ לֹ֤א יִֽיגְעוּ֙ לָרִ֔יק וְלֹ֥א יֵלְד֖וּ לַבֶּהָלָ֑ה כִּ֣י זֶ֜רַע בְּרוּכֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ הֵ֔מָּה וְצֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֖ם אִתָּֽם׃ וְהָיָ֥ה טֶֽרֶם־יִקְרָ֖אוּ וַאֲנִ֣י אֶעֱנֶ֑ה ע֛וֹד הֵ֥ם מְדַבְּרִ֖ים וַאֲנִ֥י אֶשְׁמָֽע׃ זְאֵ֨ב וְטָלֶ֜ה יִרְע֣וּ כְאֶחָ֗ד וְאַרְיֵה֙ כַּבָּקָ֣ר יֹֽאכַל־תֶּ֔בֶן וְנָחָ֖שׁ עָפָ֣ר לַחְמ֑וֹ לֹֽא־יָרֵ֧עוּ וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁחִ֛יתוּ בְּכָל־הַ֥ר קָדְשִׁ֖י אָמַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃

    No more will there be an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days; for the youngest will die at a hundred years, and the one who falls short of a hundred will be thought cursed (v. 20)

    Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 65:17–25.

  9. 1611

    King James Bible

    ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from printed Masoretic Hebrew

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: King James Version (1769 text).

    For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 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. 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. 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. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 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. 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. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 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.

  10. Greek translation c. 2nd century BC; French 1872

    Greek Isaiah (library: Giguet's French)

    ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from the Old Greek Isaiah

    How the site knows this: Known here only through a translation.

    Car il y aura un ciel nouveau et une terre nouvelle; on ne se souviendra plus des choses d’autrefois, et le souvenir n’en reviendra plus en leur cœur. Mais ils y trouveront la joie et l’allégresse; car moi-même je ferai de Jérusalem l’allégresse, et de mon peuple la joie. Et à mon tour je ferai de Jérusalem mes délices, et de mon peuple ma joie; et l’on n’y entendra plus la voix des pleurs, ni celle des gémissements. Il n’y aura plus là ni enfant qui meure avant l’âge, ni vieillard qui ne remplisse son temps. Le jeune homme vivra cent ans, et le pécheur à sa mort aura aussi cent ans; mais celui-là sera maudit. Et ils bâtiront des maisons, et ils y demeureront, et ils y planteront des vignes, et ils en mangeront les fruits. Et ils ne bâtiront plus pour autrui, et ils ne planteront plus pour que d’autres mangent. Les jours de mon peuple seront comme les jours de l’arbre de vie, et les travaux où ils auront pris de la peine atteindront la vieillesse. Mes élus ne se fatigueront pas en vain; ils n’auront point d’enfants pour leur malédiction, car c’est une race bénie de Dieu; et leurs petits enfants comme eux seront bénis. Et avant qu’ils aient crié je les aurai exaucés; pendant qu’ils parleront encore, je dirai: Qu’y-a-t-il? Alors les loups et les agneaux viendront paître ensemble; le lion mangera de la paille comme le bœuf, et le serpent mangera la terre comme du pain. Ils ne nuiront à personne; ils ne détruiront rien sur ma montagne sainte, dit le Seigneur.

    Greek (digital file) numbering: Isaiah 65:17–25. Giguet's 1872 French of a printed Greek text (D check only); a C check needs Ziegler's Göttingen Isaiah or Rahlfs–Hanhart. V. 22: "like the days of the tree of life."

What changed, and why

Classification: stable text (1QIsa-a agrees in substance); a translation expansion in the Greek ("as the days of the tree of life," v. 22); later reuse in 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1–4 with different assumptions about death and time.

Vv. 21–23 reverse the curses of Deuteronomy 28:30 ("thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein"); v. 25 repeats 11:6–9 and adds Genesis 3:14 ("dust shall be the serpent's meat").

"Create" (bara') is the verb of Genesis 1:1, used three times in vv. 17–18; what is created is both a cosmos and a city: "I create Jerusalem a rejoicing."

What the evidence shows

  • Independently documentedIsaiah 65:20 envisions long life with death still present.
  • Independently documentedRevelation 21:4 says death will be no more.
  • Conflicts with current evidenceIsaiah 65 and Revelation 21 describe the same state. Related images with different assumptions; see "New Heavens and the Disturbing Ending."

Sources

    Related lessons

    • Isaiah 65: New Heavens and a New Earth →God answers: "I am sought of them that asked not for me… I said, Behold me, behold me"; all day he spread out his hands to a rebellious people who sacrifice in gardens, burn incense on bricks, sit among graves, lodge in secret places, eat swine's flesh, and say "Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou" (65:1–7). "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it": God will not destroy all, but will bring forth a seed from Jacob, his chosen and his servants (vv. 8–10). Those who forsake the LORD and set a table for Gad (Fortune) and fill drink for Meni (Destiny) are destined for the sword; "my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry… my servants shall sing… but ye shall cry" (vv. 11–16). "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth"; Jerusalem a rejoicing; no more weeping; no infant who lives a few days, "for the child shall die an hundred years old"; they will build houses and live in them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit; "as the days of a tree are the days of my people"; before they call, God will answer; "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together… and dust shall be the serpent's meat" (vv. 17–25).
    • Investigation: New Heavens and the Disturbing Ending →Isaiah has several pictures of the future, and they are not the same. In chapters 24–27 the earth is emptied and judged, and then God "will swallow up death in victory" (25:8) and "thy dead men shall live" (26:19). In chapter 35 the desert blooms and the blind see. In 65:17–25 God creates "new heavens and a new earth," where a person who dies at a hundred dies young. In 66:22–24 all flesh worships, and the worshippers look on the corpses of the rebels whose worm does not die. Later writers took up these images: Daniel 12:2, Mark 9:48, 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1–5. This investigation compares them without assuming that they describe one event with one timetable.