Isaiah 62:2 Meaning: A New Name from God's Own Mouth
The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which Yahweh’s mouth will name.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.
And nations have seen thy righteousness, And all kings thine honour, And He is giving to thee a new name, That the mouth of Jehovah doth define.
And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name.
Meaning in one sentence
What is the 'new name' in Isaiah 62:2? It signifies a transformed identity God gives His people, seen by nations and kings, a name only He can confer.
Context
Isaiah 62 sits in a section of the book where God speaks directly about restoring His people. The chapter begins with God declaring He will not rest until Jerusalem's righteousness shines out like the dawn. In verse 2, we see the result: the nations and kings will witness this righteousness and glory. And then comes a stunning promise: God will give His people a new name, one that comes from His own mouth. This is not a minor detail. Throughout Scripture, renaming marks a new beginning and a new relationship. The rest of the chapter describes the people as a crown of beauty in God's hand, and the land no longer called Forsaken or Desolate but married to God. The new name is part of that complete restoration.
Key Words
Three words carry the weight of this promise. First, 'see' (ra'ah in Hebrew) is more than glancing. It means to perceive, to understand, to witness something undeniable. The nations will not merely hear about God's work; they will see it with their own eyes. Second, 'righteousness' (tzedeq) is God's saving justice, not just moral behavior, but the setting right of all that is wrong. When the world sees this, they see God at work. Third, the verb 'designate' (from H5344) in the second clause adds a nuance: God will determine or define the name. It is not chosen by the people; it is given by Yahweh's own mouth. The name is new (chadash), meaning fresh, unprecedented, unlike anything before. This is a complete transformation of identity, not just a label.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have understood this new name in different ways, though all agree it points to a transformed relationship with God. Many Protestant commentators, like Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, see it as a name reflecting a greatly improved condition, similar to how God renamed Abram and Jacob. Others, such as the Cambridge Bible, stress that the name is a mystery not yet fully disclosed, linking it to Revelation 2:17 where the victor receives a new name known only to the recipient. Some early Catholic interpreters read the 'righteousness' and 'glory' as pointing to Christ, the Righteous One, and the new name as the Church's identity in Him. All traditions hold that the name is given by God Himself, making it secure and permanent.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume the 'new name' is a specific word we can identify now, such as 'Christian' or 'the Lord is there.' But the text says 'the mouth of the Lord shall name' it, suggesting the full revelation is still future. The Cambridge Bible calls it a mystery yet to be disclosed. The point is not the exact word, but that God Himself determines it, and it will perfectly fit the new reality He creates.
Living This Out
This week, you can hold onto the promise that God is not finished with you. Whatever names you carry from the past, failure, lonely, stuck, forgotten, God has a new name for you. The transformation may not be complete yet, but you can live as someone whose identity is being reshaped by God's own hand. You can also look for the ways God's righteousness is becoming visible in your life, even in small ways, and trust that others will see it in time.
Main takeaway: God promises to give His people a new identity that the world will see, a name only He can give, and it will be beautiful.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God promises to give His people a brand new name. Just like when God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, He is going to give us a name that shows we belong to Him. That name will be very special because God Himself will choose it.
For ages 9, 12
In Isaiah 62:2, God says the nations and kings will see His people’s righteousness and glory. That means the whole world will recognize that God has done something amazing. The new name God gives is not a secret code, but a sign of a complete fresh start. It is a promise that God is making everything new, and we get to be part of that. You can trust that God sees you and has a good plan for your life.
Questions People Ask
What is the new name in Isaiah 62:2?
The text does not give the specific name. It says the mouth of the LORD will name it. Many commentators see it as a name that fits the new condition of God's people, such as 'Hephzibah' or 'Beulah' from later verses, or a future name like 'Jehovah our Righteousness.' The Cambridge Bible calls it a mystery yet to be disclosed, linking to Revelation 2:17.
Who is speaking in Isaiah 62:2?
Many scholars, including Keil and Delitzsch, believe it is God speaking, as the chapter begins with God's declaration for Zion's sake. Other commentators see the prophet as speaking, but the voice in verse 1 is likely God Himself. The promise is sure because God is the one making it.
Does this verse apply to Israel or the Church?
It depends on the interpretive tradition. Some see it as a promise for restored national Israel in the future. Others, like many Christian interpreters, see it as fulfilled in the Church, the spiritual people of God. Both traditions find meaning in the promise of a new identity given by God.
What does 'righteousness' mean in this verse?
The Hebrew word is tzedeq, which means justice, rightness, or saving action. Here it is closely tied to salvation from verse 1. It is not just moral uprightness but God's act of putting things right and vindicating His people.
How does this verse connect to Revelation 2:17?
Revelation 2:17 promises that the one who conquers will receive a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the receiver. Many commentators see this as an echo of Isaiah 62:2, where God gives His people a new name. Both passages emphasize the intimate and personal nature of the new identity God bestows.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study