King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:15 Mean?

Isaiah 49:15 in the King James Version says “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion”

Isaiah 49:15 · KJV

Context

13

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

14

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

15

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion

16

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

17

Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is one of Scripture's most tender expressions of God's unfailing love, using maternal imagery to convey covenant faithfulness. God poses a hypothetical: 'Can a woman forget her sucking child?' The nursing relationship represents the strongest natural bond—a mother's hormonal, emotional, and physical connection to her infant. The Hebrew shakach (שָׁכַח, forget) means to completely cease remembering, to abandon from mind. 'That she should not have compassion' uses racham (רָחַם), from the word for womb—suggesting the deep, visceral love mothers feel. God acknowledges the unthinkable possibility: 'Yea, they may forget'—even the strongest human love can fail. Tragically, some mothers do abandon children. But the divine contrast follows: 'Yet will I not forget thee' (ve-anokhi lo eshkachekh, וְאָנֹכִי לֹא אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ). The emphatic pronoun 'I' (anokhi) stresses God's personal commitment. His covenant love surpasses the strongest human affection, proving absolutely unbreakable.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel in Babylonian exile felt forgotten by God—temple destroyed, city razed, people scattered, promises seemingly void. Isaiah addresses this despair: 'Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me' (49:14). This verse responds to that accusation. The maternal imagery would resonate deeply in ancient culture where motherhood defined women's identity and security. While ancient Near Eastern religions included mother goddesses (Ishtar, Asherah), Israel's God transcends gender while using both maternal and paternal imagery. The New Testament affirms God's unfailing remembrance: nothing separates believers from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). Jesus promises never to lose those the Father gave Him (John 6:39).

Reflection Questions

  1. When you feel forgotten by God, how can this promise of His unfailing remembrance provide comfort?
  2. How does God's love surpassing even maternal affection change your understanding of His commitment to you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽךְ׃1 of 12

“forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אִשָּׁה֙2 of 12

“Can a woman”

H802

a woman

עוּלָ֔הּ3 of 12

“her sucking child”

H5764

a babe

מֵרַחֵ֖ם4 of 12

“that she should not have compassion”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

בֶּן5 of 12

“on the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִּטְנָ֑הּ6 of 12

“of her womb”

H990

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

גַּם7 of 12
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֵ֣לֶּה8 of 12
H428

these or those

אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽךְ׃9 of 12

“forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

וְאָנֹכִ֖י10 of 12
H595

i

לֹ֥א11 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽךְ׃12 of 12

“forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

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 49:15 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 49:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 44:21Psalms 103:13Matthew 7:11Jeremiah 31:20Hosea 11:1Malachi 3:17

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 49 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 49 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes