Isaiah 65:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In the new creation, there will be no premature death, no cut-short life; longevity will be extended, and yet the distinction between righteousness and sin will remain.
The Context of Isaiah 65:20
God describes the character of life in the renewed world, where death no longer cuts life short for the righteous, though moral choice still carries weight.
What Does Isaiah 65:20 Mean?
This verse pictures a world where an 'infant of days' (a child who dies in infancy) no longer exists, nor an old person who has not 'filled his days,' not completed a full span of life. The minimum age of meaningful life in this age is a hundred years. Yet the verse also contains a hard edge: 'the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.' This suggests that in the new creation, moral realities are not erased. The person who persists in rebellion against God, who chooses the bent that leads away from righteousness, is still 'accursed,' cut off from the blessings of the age. This is not vindictive but truthful: the wages of sin is still death, even in the renewed world, a consequence of choice not mere circumstance.
We see here that the eschatological vision is neither a realm of eternal childhood innocence nor a universe where human agency and choice disappear. God does not annihilate those who rebel but allows them to reap what they sow. The lengthening of life for the righteous speaks to a world where death is not the final word over those who trust God, where the span of life is sufficient to know joy and to accomplish good. The presence of 'the sinner' reminds us that even in the new creation, the divide between those who cling to God and those who turn away is real and consequential.
How to Apply Isaiah 65:20 Today
We face a choice now that will echo into eternity. The future is not neutral but shaped by what we choose to become. This should move us to turn toward righteousness not from fear but from love of the God who alone is good.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 65:20
What does Isaiah 65:20 mean?
In the new creation, there will be no premature death, no cut-short life; longevity will be extended, and yet the distinction between righteousness and sin will remain.
What is the context of Isaiah 65:20?
God describes the character of life in the renewed world, where death no longer cuts life short for the righteous, though moral choice still carries weight.
How can I apply Isaiah 65:20 today?
We face a choice now that will echo into eternity. The future is not neutral but shaped by what we choose to become. This should move us to turn toward righteousness not from fear but from love of the God who alone is good.