The Meaning of Isaiah 12:3 Explained

Isaiah 12:3

KJV: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

YLT: And ye have drawn waters with joy Out of the fountains of salvation,

Darby: And with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

ASV: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Therefore with joy  shall ye draw  water  out of the wells  of salvation. 

What does Isaiah 12:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Water is a rich symbol of salvation, especially to a people who lived in a land as dry as Palestine. God had provided salvation in the form of water for the Israelites during their wilderness march ( Exodus 15:27; Exodus 17:1-7). In the future, Israelites could anticipate securing His salvation and sharing it with others, specifically the Gentiles (cf. Psalm 116:13). This verse became a common saying among the Jews and led to a water-drawing ceremony in Jerusalem (cf. John 4:15; John 7:37-38). Water represents everything necessary for supporting life.

Context Summary

Isaiah 12:1-6 - A Song Of Thanksgiving
The prophet's vision extends. He has seen the effect of redemption, as it emanates from Jesus Christ, upon the whole physical creation; now he beholds also the ingathering of all Israel. The ancient enmity between Ephraim and Judah would pass away. As Paul puts it afterward, "All Israel shall be saved," Romans 11:25-26. As they were brought out of Egypt, so shall they be brought from all the countries of the world, where they have dwelt during these Christian centuries. The return of the Jews under Ezra included those of one tribe only, and cannot fulfill the great dreams of all the prophets as here of Isaiah. The following chapter is the counterpart of Exodus 15:1-27. When their enemies are overwhelmed in the great battle of Armageddon, the ransomed hosts of Israel shall break forth in this anthem.
The Isaiah 12:3 was chanted by the priests on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, John 7:37-38. The little possessive pronoun my is the bucket with which we draw water from the depths of God. Our pilgrimage way is lined by these wells of saving help. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 12

1  A joyful thanksgiving of the faithful for the mercies of God

What do the individual words in Isaiah 12:3 mean?

Therefore you will draw water with joy from the wells of salvation
וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם־ מַ֖יִם בְּשָׂשׂ֑וֹן מִמַּעַיְנֵ֖י הַיְשׁוּעָֽה

וּשְׁאַבְתֶּם־  Therefore  you  will  draw 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שָׁאַב  
Sense: to draw (water).
מַ֖יִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
בְּשָׂשׂ֑וֹן  with  joy 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׂשֹׂון  
Sense: gladness, joy, exultation, rejoicing.
מִמַּעַיְנֵ֖י  from  the  wells 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַעְיָן  
Sense: spring.
הַיְשׁוּעָֽה  of  salvation 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יְשׁוּעָה  
Sense: salvation, deliverance.