Question On Isaiah 61:3

A couple of things. It was traditional for those in mourning to cover their faces with ashes. So if the ashes were washed off, your beauty was back.

The word translated 'beauty' in that passage actually means 'fancy headdress'. The Hebrews themselves translated it as 'glory' in that passage. Thus, the NIV translates it 'crown of beauty.' It does not indicate veil or purity from what we can see looking it up here.

The passage itself talks about those who grieve in Zion -- probably indicating the Jews themselves. They have been rebellious for so long and are and will reap the consequences of mourning and sadness, but the promise in Isaiah 61 is that this mourning will be changed to joy. If we go on in the passage we find (NIV here) "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God."

This is very much in line with 1 Peter 2 where he refers to them as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God."

Quite a change for the Jewish people has been prophesied, in other words.

 

double post

 

Isaiah 61:1-11 talks about Jesus Christ, His first coming and second coming. Many things were already achieved spiritually and are expected to come true at the second coming.

Verse 3:
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.


Interpretation:

For the truly broken-hearted believers, to give them the beauty of Repentance, the Oil of Joy ( representing the Anointing by Holy Spirit) because of the Broken-Hearted Repentance, the Garment of Praise ( enclothed with Christ) for the grievously repenting spirit ( or for the fainted, tired spirit), so that they might be called the Trees of Righteousness, Planting of the LORD, that God may be glorified.


True Believers are Trees of Righteousness, Planting of God, Fruits of Jesus Christ.

Jesus read 61:1-2 ( Luke 4:1 and said "it is fulfilled in your ears today".

Apparently the passage is related to Jesus and the repentance of His people and their salvation.

Hope this helps you.