and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew word for "rest" here is the same one used earlier in the chapter for "silence." This means the command isn't just to pray intensely, but to keep speaking to God, to break the silence of inaction and allow God no "quiet" until His promises for Jerusalem are fulfilled. It's a powerful image of relentless, vocal prayer that refuses to be ignored.
and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah, commissioned by God, declares he will not be silent until Jerusalem's restoration and righteousness are evident to all nations. He's calling on watchmen, spiritual leaders and intercessors, to join him in this persistent plea, urging them to continuously pray and never let God rest until the city is not only established but becomes a source of praise throughout the earth.
What does it mean to 'give God no rest'? It's not about annoying Him, but about approaching Him with unwavering faith and urgent desire.
The verse calls for unceasing prayer, using the imagery of giving God 'no rest.' This isn't about tiring God out, but about demonstrating the depth of our conviction and the earnestness of our prayers.
God's ultimate plan for Jerusalem wasn't just stability, but a transformation that would draw the world's attention and admiration.
The goal of this relentless prayer is twofold:
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This isn't just about a physical city, but also about the spiritual reality of God's kingdom being established and glorified on earth.
This verse speaks directly to the exiles' return to Jerusalem under Cyrus, a time when the city was being restored but still needed divine intervention to be truly established and praised. The call for relentless prayer reflects the ongoing challenges and the deep longing for complete security and honor for God's chosen city.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel
The Assyrian Empire begins deporting populations from the northern Kingdom of Israel, weakening and scattering its people. This event would have heightened anxieties about Jerusalem's future and the survival of God's people.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiles King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens of Judah to Babylon. This marks a significant loss of leadership and talent, leaving Jerusalem vulnerable.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar completely destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This is a catastrophic event, leaving the city in ruins and the people in despair.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period, a time of rebuilding and restoration.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed, a significant milestone in the restoration of worship and national identity. However, Jerusalem remains a vulnerable and often oppressed city.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt, providing crucial defense and symbolic restoration. This effort, however, faces significant opposition.
This passage about the persistent widow and the unjust judge highlights the 'no rest' principle, emphasizing the importance of unceasing, importunate prayer until God answers and brings about His justice and purposes.
Romans 1:9Paul's own commitment to constant prayer for the church demonstrates that the 'give him no rest' attitude applies to praying for the establishment and flourishing of God's people and kingdom.
Jeremiah 17:25This verse speaks of Jerusalem being established and continuing as a royal city, mirroring Isaiah's vision of Jerusalem becoming a 'praise in the earth' through God's faithfulness.
Zephaniah 3:20This prophecy describes God bringing His people back, making them a name and praise among all the peoples of the earth, echoing the outcome envisioned in Isaiah 62:7 where Jerusalem is a global commendation.
Revelation 21:2The vision of the New Jerusalem descending, the dwelling place of God with His people, shows the ultimate fulfillment of Jerusalem being 'established' and a source of praise, representing the eternal state of God's redeemed city.
barnesIsaiah 62:7: "And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."
And give him no rest - Margin, 'Silence.' In Hebrew the same word (דמי dŏmiy) as in Isaiah 62:6 . The idea is, 'Keep not silence yourselves, nor let him rest in silence. Pray without ceasing; and do not intermit your efforts until the desires of your hearts shall be granted, and Zion shall be established, and the world saved.' Till he establish - Until he shall establish Jerusalem, and re…
gillIsaiah 62:7: "And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."
And give him no rest,.... Not let him alone, as he desired that Moses would, but wrestle with him as Jacob did, and not let him go without the blessing; be importunate with him, as the widow with the unjust judge; and be incessant in prayer: until he establish; his church; which, though founded by him, and built upon the sure foundation of his laying, upon a rock, against which the gates of…
The Hebrew word for "rest" here is the same one used earlier in the chapter for "silence." This means the command isn't just to pray intensely, but to keep speaking to God, to break the silence of inaction and allow God no "quiet" until His promises for Jerusalem are fulfilled. It's a powerful image of relentless, vocal prayer that refuses to be ignored.
The prophet Isaiah, commissioned by God, declares he will not be silent until Jerusalem's restoration and righteousness are evident to all nations. He's calling on watchmen, spiritual leaders and intercessors, to join him in this persistent plea, urging them to continuously pray and never let God rest until the city is not only established but becomes a source of praise throughout the earth.
The prophet Isaiah, commissioned by God, declares he will not be silent until Jerusalem's restoration and righteousness are evident to all nations. He's calling on watchmen, spiritual leaders and intercessors, to join him in this persistent plea, urging them to continuously pray and never let God rest until the city is not only established but becomes a source of praise throughout the earth.
"and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth." — The Hebrew word for "rest" here is the same one used earlier in the chapter for "silence." This means the command isn't just to pray intensely, but to keep speaking to God, to break the silence of in…
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Last reviewed October 2026