God solemnizes this promise not just with an oath, but by swearing on His own powerful "right hand" and "mighty arm"— His very instruments of action. This isn't just about protection from enemies stealing crops and wine; it highlights God's fierce commitment to ensuring His people will not only survive but truly thrive, enjoying the fruits of their labor personally.
The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes at the climax of Isaiah's prophecies about restoration. After describing Jerusalem's renewed identity and God's joyful commitment to her, this verse presents God's solemn oath. He swears by His own power and might that His people will finally enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear of enemies stealing their grain or foreigners drinking their wine.
God's promises aren't just words; they are backed by His very power. Imagine God swearing an oath, not by something outside Himself, but by His own incredible strength!
In Isaiah 62:8, God makes a solemn oath using His 'right hand' and 'mighty arm.' These aren't just body parts; they symbolize His power to act, His ability to defend and save. This imagery emphasizes the absolute certainty of His promise. He's not just saying He wants to protect His people; He's swearing by His own strength that He will.
This oath is a profound declaration of His commitment. When God swears by Himself, it signifies that His promise is as unbreakable as His own divine nature. It's a divine guarantee that His people will no longer suffer the devastation of their enemies stealing their harvest and wine – the very fruits of their labor.
For generations, Israel faced the heartbreak of seeing their hard work stolen. God's promise here marks a radical shift from constant vulnerability to secure enjoyment.
The core of God's oath in Isaiah 62:8 is a declaration of security and restoration. 'I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine, for which you have labored.' This speaks directly to the historical experience of God's people, who frequently saw their crops destroyed or carried off by invading armies.
This isn't just about food and drink; it's about the fruit of their labor, their livelihood, and their peace being preserved. God is promising an end to the cycle of loss and a new era where they will actually enjoy what they have worked for. This restoration signifies not just physical safety but also the dignity and blessing that come from God's provision being secure.
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Understand the original words
nišbaʿ · Hebrew Verb
A solemn declaration made by God, using His own nature or power as the guarantee of the truth and immutability of His word. It signifies the absolute certainty of His fulfillment of a promise.
zĕrôaʿ ʿuzzô · Hebrew Noun phrase
A biblical idiom for divine intervention and the demonstration of sovereign power. It represents the strength with which God acts to deliver, defend, or judge on behalf of His people.
miqdāš · Hebrew Noun
A holy place or building dedicated to the worship of God. In the Old Testament, it refers to the tabernacle or temple where God's presence dwelt among His people and where sacrifices were offered.
This prophecy of God's oath to secure their land and harvests stands in stark contrast to the historical reality of the post-exilic community, who, despite returning from Babylon, continued to face threats from surrounding nations and internal hardships. The promise wasn't an immediate guarantee of peace but a foretelling of God's ultimate faithfulness and restoration.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, marking a period of widespread conquest and displacement that would have impacted Judah.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens of Judah are exiled to Babylon, demonstrating the growing threat of Babylonian power.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, and exile most of the remaining population, leading to a profound sense of loss and abandonment.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overthrows the Babylonian Empire, opening the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Judeans.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Return and Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah leads a mission to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls, facing significant opposition from surrounding peoples. This highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the returned community.
Post-Exilic Period (after 538 BC)— this verse
Ongoing Struggle and Rebuilding
The returned exiles faced numerous challenges, including poverty, opposition from neighbors, and internal struggles. The promise in Isaiah 62 speaks to a future of security and prosperity that was not yet fully realized.
This passage describes the curses of disobedience, including the loss of crops and produce to enemies, directly contrasting with the promise in Isaiah 62:8 that this will no longer happen.
Judges 6:3-4This story of the Midianites oppressing Israel by destroying their crops and livestock illustrates the very suffering that God swears in Isaiah 62:8 will end for His people.
Nehemiah 5:1-5This passage details the economic hardships and foreign exploitation faced by the Israelites even after returning from exile, highlighting the deep need for the security and restoration promised in Isaiah 62:8.
Isaiah 45:23This verse shows God swearing by Himself, establishing the profound certainty of His promises, which is echoed in Isaiah 62:8 where He swears by His mighty right hand and arm.
Ezekiel 34:25-27This prophecy promises a time of peace and security where God's people will dwell safely and enjoy the fruit of their land, mirroring the specific guarantee against foreign plunder found in Isaiah 62:8.
barnesIsaiah 62:8: "The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:"
The Lord hath sworn by his right hand - An oath was taken in various forms among the ancients. It was usually done by lifting up the hand toward beaten and appealing to God. As God could swear by no greater Hebrews 6:13 , he is represented as swearing by him…
pulpitIsaiah 62:8: "The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:"
Verse 8. - The Lord hath sworn. In answer to the representations of the "remembrancers," God solemnly binds himself by an oath to come to the relief of the people, to restore them to their own land, and to give them the enjoyment of its fruits in peace. By h…
God solemnizes this promise not just with an oath, but by swearing on His own powerful "right hand" and "mighty arm"— His very instruments of action. This isn't just about protection from enemies stealing crops and wine; it highlights God's fierce commitment to ensuring His people will not only survive but truly thrive, enjoying the fruits of their labor personally.
This passage comes at the climax of Isaiah's prophecies about restoration. After describing Jerusalem's renewed identity and God's joyful commitment to her, this verse presents God's solemn oath. He swears by His own power and might that His people will finally enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear of enemies stealing their grain or foreigners drinking their wine.
This passage comes at the climax of Isaiah's prophecies about restoration. After describing Jerusalem's renewed identity and God's joyful commitment to her, this verse presents God's solemn oath. He swears by His own power and might that His people will finally enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear of enemies stealing their grain or foreigners drinking their wine.
"The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; but those who g…" — God solemnizes this promise not just with an oath, but by swearing on His own powerful "right hand" and "mighty arm"— His very instruments of action. This isn't just about protection from enemies ste…
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Last reviewed October 2026
