King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:26 Mean?

Isaiah 49:26 in the King James Version says “And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with swe...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. sweet: or, new”

Isaiah 49:26 · KJV

Salvation

Context

24

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? lawful: Heb. captivity of the just

25

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. captives: Heb. captivity

26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. sweet: or, new

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. This graphic judgment oracle employs shocking imagery of self-consumption to depict complete destruction of Israel's oppressors. The phrase "feed them...with their own flesh" and "drunken with their own blood" suggests civil war, internal collapse, or self-destructive madness—poetic justice where violence rebounds upon the violent.

The comparison to "sweet wine" ('asis, עָסִיס, fresh grape juice) creates deliberate irony: what should be celebratory refreshment becomes the means of destruction. This fulfills the lex talionis principle at a national level—oppressors receive measure-for-measure judgment (Matthew 7:2). The purpose clause "all flesh shall know" indicates that God's judgment serves pedagogical and revelatory functions, demonstrating His character to all peoples.

The concluding titles—"Saviour" (moshia, מוֹשִׁיעַ), "Redeemer" (go'el, גֹּאֵל), "mighty One of Jacob" (abir Ya'aqov, אֲבִיר יַעֲקֹב)—establish God's covenant faithfulness. From a Reformed perspective, divine judgment against evil vindicates God's justice and protects His people. The cross demonstrates both aspects: Christ endured judgment (the innocent suffered) so oppressors might repent and the oppressed be delivered. God's redemptive power (go'el suggests kinsman-redeemer) accomplishes what human strength cannot.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical fulfillment came through Babylon's fall. After conquering Judah in 586 BCE, internal strife and external threats weakened Babylon. Nabonidus's religious conflicts, economic problems, and Persian military might led to collapse in 539 BCE. Daniel 5 records the empire's last night when Belshazzar's feast ended in conquest—Babylonian blood metaphorically "drunk" in civil collapse.

The "mighty One of Jacob" title appears in Genesis 49:24, connecting messianic promise to this deliverance. Throughout history, empires that persecuted God's people ultimately fell through internal decay: Rome, the Ottoman Empire, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union—all experienced self-destructive collapse. Yet the prophecy points beyond political vindication to final judgment when Christ returns. Revelation 19:15 depicts Christ treading "the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God," fulfilling this imagery completely.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment against evil comfort you when facing oppression or injustice?
  2. What does it mean that God is your Redeemer (<em>go'el</em>), your kinsman who fights for you?
  3. How should Christians balance celebrating God's justice while praying for enemies' repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְהַאֲכַלְתִּ֤י1 of 18

“And I will feed”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת2 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מוֹנַ֙יִךְ֙3 of 18

“them that oppress”

H3238

to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat

אֶת4 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בָּשָׂ֗ר5 of 18

“and all flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְכֶעָסִ֖יס6 of 18

“as with sweet wine”

H6071

must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)

דָּמָ֣ם7 of 18

“with their own blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

יִשְׁכָּר֑וּן8 of 18

“and they shall be drunken”

H7937

to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence

וְיָדְע֣וּ9 of 18

“shall know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כָל10 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּשָׂ֗ר11 of 18

“and all flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

כִּ֣י12 of 18
H3588

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

אֲנִ֤י13 of 18
H589

i

יְהוָה֙14 of 18

“that I the LORD”

H3068

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

מֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֔ךְ15 of 18

“am thy Saviour”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

וְגֹאֲלֵ֖ךְ16 of 18

“and thy Redeemer”

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

אֲבִ֥יר17 of 18

“the mighty One”

H46

mighty (spoken of god)

יַעֲקֹֽב׃18 of 18

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

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 49:26 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 49:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:20Isaiah 41:14-20Revelation 16:6Isaiah 9:4Isaiah 43:3Isaiah 60:16

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