For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Parallel translations
- WEB “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered, nor come into mind.
- KJV For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
- NKJV “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
- NASB ¶“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
- NLT “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God announces that He will create new heavens and a new earth, so that the former things are no longer remembered. It matters because it unveils the ultimate hope of a wholly renewed creation.
Overview
This climactic promise looks beyond restoration to a brand-new creation where past sorrows are forgotten. The New Testament takes up this vision: Peter awaits 'new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness' (2 Peter 3:13), and John sees it fulfilled in Revelation 21:1-4. It is the grand hope secured by Christ, in whom God makes all things new.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Pet 3:13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
- Rev 21:1–5Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
- Isa 66:22“For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, “so your descendants and your name will endure.
- Isa 43:18“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.
- Jer 3:16“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.
- Isa 51:16I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 65:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.