King James Version

What Does Isaiah 43:5 Mean?

Isaiah 43:5 in the King James Version says “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isaiah 43:5 · KJV


Context

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.

4

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. life: or, person

5

Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's promise 'Fear not: for I am with thee' grounds courage in His presence. He will bring offspring 'from the east...from the west'—gathering scattered Israel from all directions. The Hebrew 'qavats' (gather) reverses the scattering of judgment, demonstrating God's sovereignty over both dispersion and restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophesies the return from Babylonian exile and the broader regathering of Israel throughout history. God's presence with His people guarantees eventual restoration despite current scattering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise of presence enable you to face fearful circumstances?
  2. What scattered or lost aspects of your life need God's gathering power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אַל1 of 10
H408

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

תִּירָ֖א2 of 10

Fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

כִּ֣י3 of 10
H3588

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

אִתְּךָ4 of 10
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אָ֑נִי5 of 10
H589

i

מִמִּזְרָח֙6 of 10

from the east

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

אָבִ֣יא7 of 10

not for I am with thee I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

זַרְעֶ֔ךָ8 of 10

thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וּמִֽמַּעֲרָ֖ב9 of 10

thee from the west

H4628

the west (as a region of the evening sun)

אֲקַבְּצֶֽךָּ׃10 of 10

and gather

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect


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 43:5 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 43:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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