King James Version

What Does Isaiah 44:2 Mean?

Isaiah 44:2 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.”

Isaiah 44:2 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

1

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

2

Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

4

And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

Read Isaiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God identifies Himself with three covenant titles: 'the LORD that made thee,' 'formed thee from the womb,' and 'will help thee.' The Hebrew 'yatsar' (formed) is the same verb used for God forming Adam (Genesis 2:7), emphasizing intimate creation. The repeated command 'fear not' addresses Israel's deep anxiety, grounding assurance in God's creative and redemptive purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

For exiles questioning their identity and future, God traces His relationship with Israel back to their national 'birth' at the Exodus. This prenatal imagery emphasizes that God's purposes for Israel began before their existence as a nation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God formed you from the womb affect your sense of identity and purpose?
  2. What fears is God addressing in your life with the command 'fear not'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כֹּה1 of 14
H3541

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

אָמַ֨ר2 of 14

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה3 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

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

עֹשֶׂ֛ךָ4 of 14

“that made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְיֹצֶרְךָ֥5 of 14

“thee and formed”

H3335

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

מִבֶּ֖טֶן6 of 14

“thee from the womb”

H990

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

יַעְזְרֶ֑ךָּ7 of 14

“which will help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

אַל8 of 14
H408

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

תִּירָא֙9 of 14

“thee Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

עַבְדִּ֣י10 of 14

“my servant”

H5650

a servant

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב11 of 14

“not O Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וִישֻׁר֖וּן12 of 14

“and thou Jesurun”

H3484

jeshurun, a symbolic name for israel

בָּחַ֥רְתִּי13 of 14

“whom I have chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

בֽוֹ׃14 of 14
H0

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 44:2 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 44:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:5Isaiah 43:1Isaiah 46:3-4Isaiah 44:24Isaiah 43:7Isaiah 49:1

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 44 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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