And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a stunning reversal: Zion, once known as "Forsaken," will be called "Sought Out" and "A City Not Forsaken." This isn't just about being noticed, but about being actively pursued and cherished by God, reversing a state of abandonment into one of profound, divine attention and value.
And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a powerful vision of restoration and return for Zion (Jerusalem) and its people, God declares how they will be known. After a long period of being forsaken and despised, this passage marks a dramatic reversal where they will be seen not as abandoned, but actively sought after, redeemed, and set apart as holy.
Ever felt like you were lost or unlovable? This verse flips that script, revealing an identity rooted in God's own actions.
God's people are called 'The Redeemed of the LORD.' This isn't just a nice title; it's a declaration of ownership and rescue.
A Price Paid
Redemption means we've been bought back from slavery to sin. It wasn't because we were valuable in ourselves, but because the LORD found us valuable enough to pay the ultimate price – the life of His Son.
A New Family
This redemption makes us part of God's special family. We aren't just individuals rescued; we are a 'people' set apart, belonging to Him in a unique and intimate way.
We often think of holiness as something we do, but this verse suggests it's something we are because of God's grace.
Isaiah 62:12 declares God's people shall be called 'The Holy People.' This holiness isn't about achieving perfection on our own, but about being set apart by God.
Set Apart for God
Holiness means being distinct – separated from sin and devoted to God's purposes. This transformation is initiated by God's Spirit.
The Result of Redemption
Being 'redeemed' and being 'holy' are deeply connected. Our redemption is the foundation upon which God builds His work of making us holy, both in position (declared righteous) and in practice (growing conformity to Christ).
Ask a follow-up
Imagine being utterly forgotten, only to be discovered and treasured. That's the dramatic shift this prophecy announces for God's city.
The verse contrasts Jerusalem's past state ('Forsaken') with its future identity: 'Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.'
The Opposite of Abandonment
'Not Forsaken' directly counters the shame and desolation Israel had experienced. It signifies God's unwavering commitment and presence.
The Object of Divine Pursuit
'Sought Out' reveals that God actively pursues His people. He doesn't wait passively; He searches, finds, and draws them to Himself. This implies immense value and intentional love. This is the heart of the Gospel – God seeking us when we were lost.
Understand the original words
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
To be set apart for God’s exclusive use and purpose, signifying moral purity, consecrated status, and the reflection of God’s own character in His people.
ga’ul · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Refers to those who have been liberated or bought back from slavery, bondage, or exile by the payment of a price, representing God’s intervention to reclaim His own from the consequences of sin.
The glorious titles in Isaiah 62:12—'The Holy People,' 'The Redeemed of the LORD,' 'Sought Out,' and 'A City Not Forsaken'—stand in stark contrast to the devastating exiles and destruction experienced by Judah. This verse offers a profound assurance that God's redemptive purposes will ultimately triumph over even the deepest sense of abandonment and ruin.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and repopulating the area with foreigners. This event marks a significant loss of national identity and divine favor for many.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judah's elite citizens, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This is a stark sign of God's judgment.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. The land is left devastated, and the people feel utterly forsaken by God.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, captures Babylon. This event ushers in a new era and sets the stage for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks a partial restoration, though the city and its people face many challenges.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated in Jerusalem, a significant milestone in the restoration process, though it lacks the grandeur of Solomon's Temple.
Late 8th century BC - 5th century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period and Prophetic Promises
The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel offer visions of a future restoration, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness and the eventual redemption and holiness of His people. Isaiah 62 belongs to this rich period of hope amidst ongoing hardship.
This passage speaks of a time when God's people are seen as 'forsaken,' a direct contrast to Isaiah 62:12's 'A City Not Forsaken,' highlighting the transformative power of God's restoration.
Luke 15:4-6The parable of the lost sheep beautifully illustrates the concept of God actively 'seeking out' what is lost, mirroring the identification of God's people as 'Sought Out' in Isaiah 62:12.
1 Peter 2:9Peter echoes Isaiah's prophetic vision by calling believers 'a holy nation, a people for his own possession,' reinforcing the identity of God's redeemed people as holy and chosen.
Titus 2:14This verse directly links Christ's sacrifice to the redemption and purification of His people, aligning with the 'Redeemed of the LORD' and 'The Holy People' mentioned in Isaiah 62:12.
Ephesians 1:4-5Paul's explanation of God's eternal purpose in choosing and predestining believers before creation directly underpins the idea of being 'redeemed' and set apart as 'holy' for His own purposes.
gillIsaiah 62:12: "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."
And they shall call them the holy people,.... For whom the way is prepared, to whom the standard is lifted up, and the proclamation made, and who upon it are gathered in to Christ the Saviour, and to the church: these shall be called, by men that know them, have a spirit of discerning, and are capable of judging, "the holy people"; a people separated an…
pulpitIsaiah 62:12: "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."
Verse 12. - They shall call them; or, men shall call them, equivalent to "they shall be called." The holy people. The Persians in some degree recognized this character in the Israelites (Ezra 1:2, 3; Ezra 6:8-12: 7:12-26). So did Alexander, according to Josephus. The Romans, on the contrary, regarded them as the votaries of a degrading superstition. Sin…
The verse highlights a stunning reversal: Zion, once known as "Forsaken," will be called "Sought Out" and "A City Not Forsaken." This isn't just about being noticed, but about being actively pursued and cherished by God, reversing a state of abandonment into one of profound, divine attention and value.
Following a powerful vision of restoration and return for Zion (Jerusalem) and its people, God declares how they will be known. After a long period of being forsaken and despised, this passage marks a dramatic reversal where they will be seen not as abandoned, but actively sought after, redeemed, and set apart as holy.
Following a powerful vision of restoration and return for Zion (Jerusalem) and its people, God declares how they will be known. After a long period of being forsaken and despised, this passage marks a dramatic reversal where they will be seen not as abandoned, but actively sought after, redeemed, and set apart as holy.
"And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken." — The verse highlights a stunning reversal: Zion, once known as "Forsaken," will be called "Sought Out" and "A City Not Forsaken." This isn't just about being noticed, but about being actively pursued…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026