Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse paints a vision of profound peace, not just the absence of external conflict, but a transformation of the city's very identity. The walls, once passive defenses, become active symbols of "Salvation" itself, and the gates, places of entry and exit, transform into "Praise."
Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Isaiah's prophecy about the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem, building on the immediate preceding verses that describe its immense wealth and the nations coming to it. Isaiah is painting a picture of a transformed city, no longer characterized by the violence and destruction common in the ancient world, but a place where safety and worship are paramount. This ideal future state culminates in the description of the city's very walls and gates becoming symbols of divine protection and praise.
Imagine a place where the sounds of conflict are replaced by quiet security. This prophecy paints a stark contrast between the old and the new.
The verse begins with a powerful declaration: 'Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders.' This isn't just about the absence of war; it speaks to the end of all forms of injustice, oppression, and ruin within the community.
Cities are defined by their defenses. But in this prophecy, the very purpose and identity of the city's fortifications are dramatically re-imagined.
The second part of the verse flips our understanding of urban defenses: 'you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.'
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Understand the original words
ḥāmās · Hebrew Noun
Wrongful physical force or cruelty that violates the sanctity of God's creation and the rights of others; a hallmark of a fallen, godless society.
yəšû‘â · Hebrew Noun
The act of being saved or delivered; God's divine provision for the rescue of humanity from sin, death, and eternal separation from Him.
təhillâ · Hebrew Noun
An expression of adoration, worship, and confession of God's worthiness; it acknowledges the greatness and character of God.
Isaiah's vision of unparalleled peace and security for Jerusalem, where violence is unknown and walls themselves are named 'Salvation' and gates 'Praise', stands in stark contrast to the devastation and destruction of the Babylonian conquest. This prophecy offered immense hope to a people experiencing profound trauma and loss, promising a future restoration far exceeding their past glory.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many of Jerusalem's leaders and skilled workers are exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys Solomon's Temple, and deports more of the population. This event is a profound crisis for Judean identity and faith.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, captures Babylon. This shift in power creates an opportunity for the exiled Jews.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return period.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated in Jerusalem, symbolizing a return to worship and a partial restoration of national life.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The scribe Ezra leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and the re-establishment of the Law.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah leads the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition. This act of rebuilding is a powerful symbol of restoration and security.
This passage shares the concept of walls representing salvation, emphasizing divine protection and security for the faithful in the future.
Zechariah 8:20-23It echoes the promise of nations seeking God and joining His people, mirroring the idea of external forces contributing to the city's glory and security, moving from destruction to praise.
Revelation 21:25This New Testament passage describes the New Jerusalem where there will be no night and its gates will never be shut, aligning with the theme of perpetual security and openness to God's people.
Psalm 100:4This psalm speaks of entering God's gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, connecting the idea of gates to joyful worship and acknowledgment of God's goodness.
barnesIsaiah 60:18: "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."
Violence shall no more be heard in thy land - This is a most beautiful description of the peace and prosperity which would prevail in the times of the Messiah. If the gospel, in its purity, should prevail on earth, there would be no more scenes of violence and war. The battle-shout would be heard no more; the cry of violence, the…
jfbIsaiah 60:18: "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."
- (Isa 2:4). Not only shall thy walls keep thee safe from foes, but "Salvation" shall serve as thy walls, converting thy foes into friends, and so ensuring thee perfect safety (Isa 26:1, 2).gates—once the scene of "destruction" when victorious foes burst through them (Ne 1:3); henceforth to be not only the scene of praises, but…
This verse paints a vision of profound peace, not just the absence of external conflict, but a transformation of the city's very identity. The walls, once passive defenses, become active symbols of "Salvation" itself, and the gates, places of entry and exit, transform into "Praise."
This passage is part of Isaiah's prophecy about the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem, building on the immediate preceding verses that describe its immense wealth and the nations coming to it. Isaiah is painting a picture of a transformed city, no longer characterized by the violence and destruction common in the ancient world, but a place where safety and worship are paramount. This ideal future state culminates in the description of the city's very walls and gates becoming symbols of divine protection and praise.
This passage is part of Isaiah's prophecy about the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem, building on the immediate preceding verses that describe its immense wealth and the nations coming to it. Isaiah is painting a picture of a transformed city, no longer characterized by the violence and destruction common in the ancient world, but a place where safety and worship are paramount. This ideal future state culminates in the description of the city's very walls and gates becoming symbols of divine protection and praise.
"Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise." — This verse paints a vision of profound peace, not just the absence of external conflict, but a transformation of the city's very identity. The walls, once passive defenses, become active symbols of "…
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Last reviewed October 2026