Isaiah 65:17
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just about a physical renovation of the cosmos, but about a profound transformation where the memory of past sorrows and sins is completely eclipsed by overwhelming joy. The emphasis on "shall not be remembered, or come into mind" highlights that this future reality will be so gloriously good, it will render all past troubles utterly insignificant.
In the preceding verses, God has addressed the rejection of His rebellious people who have forsaken Him for idols, contrasting their fate with the future blessings for those who seek Him. This passage marks a shift to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, a complete renewal and restoration that transcends mere earthly restoration. It paints a picture of a future state so glorious and transformed that the hardships and sorrows of the past will fade into utter oblivion, replaced by an era of perfect joy and peace under God's renewed creation.
When God promises something 'new,' what does that truly mean? Is it a fresh coat of paint, or something entirely different?
The verse uses the powerful Hebrew word for 'create,' the same one used in Genesis 1 for God bringing the universe into existence from nothing. This isn't about patching up the old world; it's a complete, radical new beginning.
A Cosmic Makeover
This means the problems, the sin, the sorrow that define our current existence aren't just being fixed; they are being replaced by something entirely new and pure.
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Imagine a pain so profound that you wish it could be wiped from memory. What does it mean for God to erase the past?
The promise that 'the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind' is incredibly profound. It's not just that the suffering will cease; it’s that the very memory and impact of it will be gone.
Beyond Forgetting
Understand the original words
shamayim / erets · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the totality of the created order. In prophecy, the "new heavens and new earth" represent the complete restoration and renewal of creation, free from the corruption of the fall.
This prophecy speaks of a profound transformation that begins with the return from Babylonian exile, but its ultimate fulfillment is found in the new creation brought about by Jesus Christ, offering complete renewal and a joy that eclipses all past sorrows.
c. 700 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is exiled by the Assyrian Empire. This event marks a significant loss and scattering of God's people, contributing to a sense of a 'former' state of distress.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Southern Kingdom of Judah, including Jerusalem and the Temple, is conquered by Babylon. This Babylonian exile represents a profound national catastrophe and a 'former' state of deep sorrow and loss for God's people.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus, king of Persia, conquers Babylon. This victory ushers in an era where displaced peoples, including the Judeans, are allowed to return to their homelands.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Judean exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian captivity and the restoration of a remnant of God's people, setting the stage for the 'former' state to be overcome by a new one.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated in Jerusalem. This event signifies a partial restoration, but the glory of this era is still seen as a precursor to a greater, future fulfillment.
c. 1st Century AD
Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, initiating a spiritual transformation and the 'new creation' that points toward the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. His life, death, and resurrection are central to this new reality.
c. AD 62-64
Writing of 2 Peter
The Apostle Peter references Isaiah's prophecy of 'new heavens and a new earth' in his letter, connecting it to the anticipated return of Christ and the ultimate renewal of all things.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's vision, describing a 'new heaven and a new earth' and the absence of former sorrows, highlighting the eschatological fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
2 Peter 3:13Peter explicitly links the promise of new heavens and a new earth to the coming of Christ and the restoration of all things, showing how this Old Testament prophecy finds its ultimate meaning in the New Testament era.
Isaiah 11:6-9This earlier passage in Isaiah already paints a picture of a transformed world under a righteous ruler, with peace between animals and humanity, foreshadowing the complete renewal described in Isaiah 65.
Romans 8:19-22Paul speaks of creation groaning and longing for its final liberation and redemption, aligning with Isaiah's vision of a renewed creation free from its present decay and suffering.
barnesIsaiah 65:17: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."
For behold - The idea in this verse is, that there should be a state of glory as great as if a new heaven and a new earth were to be made. I create new heavens - Calamity and punishment in the Bible are often represented by the heavens growing dark, and being rolled up like as a scroll, or passing away (see the notes at Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 34:4). On the contrary, prosp…
clarkeIsaiah 65:17: "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."
I create new heavens and a new earth - This has been variously understood. Some Jews and some Christians understand it literally. God shall change the state of the atmosphere, and render the earth more fruitful. Some refer it to what they call the Millennium; others, to a glorious state of religion; others, to the re-creation of the earth after it shall have been destro…
This isn't just about a physical renovation of the cosmos, but about a profound transformation where the memory of past sorrows and sins is completely eclipsed by overwhelming joy. The emphasis on "shall not be remembered, or come into mind" highlights that this future reality will be so gloriously good, it will render all past troubles utterly insignificant.
In the preceding verses, God has addressed the rejection of His rebellious people who have forsaken Him for idols, contrasting their fate with the future blessings for those who seek Him. This passage marks a shift to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, a complete renewal and restoration that transcends mere earthly restoration. It paints a picture of a future state so glorious and transformed that the hardships and sorrows of the past will fade into utter oblivion, replaced by an era of perfect joy and peace under God's renewed creation.
In the preceding verses, God has addressed the rejection of His rebellious people who have forsaken Him for idols, contrasting their fate with the future blessings for those who seek Him. This passage marks a shift to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, a complete renewal and restoration that transcends mere earthly restoration. It paints a picture of a future state so glorious and transformed that the hardships and sorrows of the past will fade into utter oblivion, replaced by an era of perfect joy and peace under God's renewed creation.
"“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." — This isn't just about a physical renovation of the cosmos, but about a profound transformation where the memory of past sorrows and sins is completely eclipsed by overwhelming joy. The emphasis on "s…
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