Isaiah 65:17 Meaning and Explanation
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God himself will create an entirely new cosmos where the old order has so completely vanished that it will not even cross our minds.
The Context of Isaiah 65:17
God declares the comprehensive scope of the renewal to come, not mere repair of the fallen world but a radical new creation.
What Does Isaiah 65:17 Mean?
The Creator speaks here with the same creative force that spoke light into existence at the beginning. 'Behold, I create'—the Hebrew bara suggests the divine act of bringing into being something utterly new, not mere renovation. The text promises not just renewed heavens and a renewed earth, but an entirely fresh cosmos where even the memory of what came before will fade. This is not a romantic nostalgia for Eden, but something entirely different: a creation where the old order of sin, decay, and separation from God is so thoroughly gone that its former existence will not even stir in the memory of the redeemed.
The promise that the former 'shall not be remembered, nor come into mind' is remarkable. It suggests a healing so complete that we will not be haunted by what was lost, not weighed down by recollection of evil or suffering. Yet this is the God who does not forget the price his love has paid. This paradox—that we are healed of remembrance even as God's redemptive work is eternal—points to a mystery of grace. The old creation's sting will be gone from us, yet redeemed in the light of what God is making new.
Isaiah 65:17 in the Original Language
bara (ברא), 'create' -- bring into being from nothing, a divine prerogative
How to Apply Isaiah 65:17 Today
We do not escape this world or leave creation behind; we inherit its renewal. Our work now, our love, our art, our justice, all matter because they are being redeemed and perfected, not erased. We serve a God who does not abandon creation but transforms it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 65:17
What does Isaiah 65:17 mean?
God himself will create an entirely new cosmos where the old order has so completely vanished that it will not even cross our minds.
What is the context of Isaiah 65:17?
God declares the comprehensive scope of the renewal to come, not mere repair of the fallen world but a radical new creation.
How can I apply Isaiah 65:17 today?
We do not escape this world or leave creation behind; we inherit its renewal. Our work now, our love, our art, our justice, all matter because they are being redeemed and perfected, not erased. We serve a God who does not abandon creation but transforms it.