No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even in this glorious future, death and sin aren't entirely eliminated, but their sting is dramatically weakened. A hundred years old, considered a great age, will be like dying in youth, and even a sinner reaching that age will face a curse, indicating that sin's consequences, though diminished, still exist.
No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage shifts from the prophet's denunciation of Israel's unfaithfulness to a breathtaking vision of future restoration. Following the judgment and exile, Isaiah paints a picture of a renewed creation where life is long, secure, and free from the common sorrows of infancy and premature old age. The prophecy continues by detailing the blessings of this new era, emphasizing the enjoyment of one's labor and the peace that will prevail.
In a world where life is often cut short, what does it mean for God to promise long life? Isaiah paints a picture of a future where reaching a hundred years is considered 'young.'
Isaiah 65:20 speaks of a future time when life's spans will be dramatically extended. No longer will there be infants who die shortly after birth, nor the elderly who haven't lived a full life. Instead, a hundred years will be seen as a youthful age. This isn't just about adding years; it's about experiencing life as God intended – full of vigor and completeness. This promise echoes the longevity of the early patriarchs and signifies a time of profound blessing and divine favor, where the usual hardships and premature ends to life are removed.
This emphasis on long life is a recurring theme in Scripture as a sign of God's favor and a prosperous existence, as seen in the blessings of the Law and the wisdom literature. It points to a restored order where life flourishes under God's care.
The promise of long life is incredible, but the verse adds a stark contrast. What separates a life lived long from a life truly blessed by God?
While the new creation described in Isaiah 65 promises extended lifespans for all its inhabitants, it crucially distinguishes between simply living long and experiencing God's favor. The verse states, 'for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.'
This highlights a vital truth: longevity itself is not the ultimate measure of a life’s quality or eternal destiny. Even a sinner, living to the age of one hundred, is still under God's judgment and faces a cursed end. This underscores that true blessing isn't merely the absence of death or the presence of long life, but a right relationship with God. The curse on the sinner, even at an advanced age, points to a spiritual reality that transcends physical lifespan.
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Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Noun
One who misses the mark of God's moral standard; a person characterized by rebellion or failure to live in accordance with God's law. In this context, it highlights that even in a renewed age, moral accountability remains.
arar · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Under the judgment or condemnation of God. It signifies being cut off from the benefits of God’s covenant and life, facing the consequences of divine displeasure.
This prophecy envisions a future restoration that radically reverses the effects of sin and suffering, returning life to a state of health and longevity reminiscent of the earliest days of humanity, while still distinguishing between the righteous and the unrighteous.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Patriarchal Age Longevity
The early generations recorded in Genesis, like Adam, Seth, and Methuselah, lived for centuries, reaching ages far beyond modern lifespans. This era set a precedent for extreme longevity.
c. 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, leading to the exile of many of its citizens. This period was marked by widespread suffering and premature death due to war and hardship.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, laying siege to Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was miraculously spared, the surrounding areas suffered greatly, impacting the lives and lifespans of the populace.
586 BC
Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a large portion of the population. This catastrophic event brought immense suffering, death, and a drastic reduction in lifespans for the survivors.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, many Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding. While a time of hope, the post-exilic period still faced significant challenges and hardships.
c. 1st Century AD— this verse
Roman Period and Messianic Expectation
Under Roman rule, Judea experienced periods of relative peace but also significant oppression and unrest, fueling messianic expectations for a future era of restoration and blessing.
This passage describes Enoch, who 'walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.' It highlights a life lived so righteously that it was taken directly into God's presence, a foreshadowing of the longevity and special favor described in Isaiah.
Psalm 90:10This psalm laments the brevity of human life, stating 'The years of our strength are seventy, or eighty if we are especially strong.' It serves as a contrast to the extended lifespan promised in Isaiah, emphasizing the significant change in human experience.
Zechariah 8:4This verse from Zechariah also speaks of a future restoration where 'old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand for very old age.' This echoes Isaiah's vision of people living out their full days.
Revelation 21:4This New Testament passage describes the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive plan: 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.' It represents the complete eradication of death and suffering, which Isaiah's prophecy points towards as a future reality.
barnesIsaiah 65:20: "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."
There shall be no more thence - The Septuagint, the Syriac, and the Vulgate, read this, 'There shall not be there.' The change requires the omission of a single letter in the present Hebrew text, and the sense seems to demand it. The design of the prophet here is, to describe the…
gillIsaiah 65:20: "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."
There shall be no more thence an infant of days,.... That is, there shall no more be carried out from thence, from Jerusalem, or any other place where the church of God is, to the grave, in order to be interred, an infant that has lived but a few days, a very common thing now; but…
Even in this glorious future, death and sin aren't entirely eliminated, but their sting is dramatically weakened. A hundred years old, considered a great age, will be like dying in youth, and even a sinner reaching that age will face a curse, indicating that sin's consequences, though diminished, still exist.
This passage shifts from the prophet's denunciation of Israel's unfaithfulness to a breathtaking vision of future restoration. Following the judgment and exile, Isaiah paints a picture of a renewed creation where life is long, secure, and free from the common sorrows of infancy and premature old age. The prophecy continues by detailing the blessings of this new era, emphasizing the enjoyment of one's labor and the peace that will prevail.
This passage shifts from the prophet's denunciation of Israel's unfaithfulness to a breathtaking vision of future restoration. Following the judgment and exile, Isaiah paints a picture of a renewed creation where life is long, secure, and free from the common sorrows of infancy and premature old age. The prophecy continues by detailing the blessings of this new era, emphasizing the enjoyment of one's labor and the peace that will prevail.
"No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accurse…" — Even in this glorious future, death and sin aren't entirely eliminated, but their sting is dramatically weakened. A hundred years old, considered a great age, will be like dying in youth, and even a…
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Last reviewed October 2026