King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:4 Mean?

Isaiah 49:4 in the King James Version says “Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with t...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. my work: or, my reward”

Isaiah 49:4 · KJV

Strength

Context

2

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

3

And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

4

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. my work: or, my reward

5

And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Though: or, That Israel may be gathered to him, and I may, etc

6

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. It is: or, Art thou lighter than that thou shouldest, etc preserved: or, desolations

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Servant's lament 'I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought' expresses the apparent futility of faithful ministry when people reject the message. Yet the confidence 'my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God' demonstrates perseverance grounded in divine approval, not human response. This models ministry faithfulness when results seem absent - God evaluates effort and faithfulness, not visible success.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah preached for decades with little positive response (6:9-13), anticipating Jesus' rejection by the majority. The principle that 'judgment is with the LORD' sustained prophets, Christ, apostles, and missionaries through apparent failure.

Reflection Questions

  1. When your faithful service seems fruitless, how does knowing 'your judgment is with the LORD' sustain you?
  2. What is the difference between measuring ministry success by human response versus divine approval?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַאֲנִ֤י1 of 15
H589

i

אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙2 of 15

“Then I said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְרִ֣יק3 of 15

“in vain”

H7385

emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain

יָגַ֔עְתִּי4 of 15

“I have laboured”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

לְתֹ֥הוּ5 of 15

“for nought”

H8414

a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain

וְהֶ֖בֶל6 of 15

“and in vain”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

כֹּחִ֣י7 of 15

“my strength”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

כִלֵּ֑יתִי8 of 15

“I have spent”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אָכֵן֙9 of 15

“yet surely”

H403

firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but

מִשְׁפָּטִ֣י10 of 15

“my judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אֶת11 of 15
H854

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

יְהוָ֔ה12 of 15

“is with the LORD”

H3068

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

וּפְעֻלָּתִ֖י13 of 15

“and my work”

H6468

(abstractly) work

אֶת14 of 15
H854

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

אֱלֹהָֽי׃15 of 15

“with my God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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 49:4 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 49:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 35:4Galatians 4:11Isaiah 40:102 Corinthians 2:15Matthew 23:37Isaiah 65:23

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