King James Version

What Does Isaiah 43:1 Mean?

Isaiah 43:1 in the King James Version says “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

Isaiah 43:1 · KJV

Fear & CourageSalvation

Context

1

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Read Isaiah 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After judgment (42:25), God speaks comfort with 'But now.' The Hebrew 'bara' (created) and 'yatsar' (formed) emphasize God's sovereign work in Israel's existence. The threefold assurance—'I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine'—establishes intimate, personal relationship. The covenant formula grounds security in God's ownership.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This addresses exiles who felt abandoned. God reminds them of their origin in His creative and electing love, which cannot be nullified by circumstances. They remain His treasured possession despite judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God created and formed you personally strengthen your identity?
  2. What does it mean to be called by name and claimed as God's possession?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְעַתָּ֞ה1 of 16
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כֹּֽה2 of 16
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֤ר3 of 16

“But now thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙4 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בֹּרַאֲךָ֣5 of 16

“that created”

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

יַעֲקֹ֔ב6 of 16

“thee O Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְיֹצֶרְךָ֖7 of 16

“and he that formed”

H3335

to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 16

“thee O Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אַל9 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָא֙10 of 16

“Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

כִּ֣י11 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גְאַלְתִּ֔יךָ12 of 16

“not for I have redeemed”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

קָרָ֥אתִי13 of 16

“thee I have called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְשִׁמְךָ֖14 of 16

“thee by thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לִי15 of 16
H0
אָֽתָּה׃16 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 43:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 43:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 100:3Isaiah 43:7Zechariah 13:9Isaiah 54:4-5Titus 2:14Revelation 5:9

Test Your Knowledge

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