King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:5 Mean?

Isaiah 49:5 in the King James Version says “And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be no... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 49:5 · KJV


Context

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

7

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. whom man: or, that is despised in soul


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Servant's mission 'to bring Jacob again to him' and 'that Israel be gathered unto him' reveals His role as Israel's restorer. The parenthetical 'Yet I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD' demonstrates that the Servant finds worth in God's approval regardless of Israel's response. The double mention of divine strength ('my God shall be my strength') emphasizes total dependence on divine enabling for impossible mission.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This restoration involves both physical return from exile and spiritual regeneration of Israel. Romans 11:26 ('all Israel shall be saved') awaits this Servant's final gathering ministry at Christ's return. His present glorification 'in the eyes of the LORD' anticipates Philippians 2:9-11.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ serve as ultimate gatherer and restorer of scattered, rebellious people?
  2. What does it mean to find sufficiency in being 'glorious in the eyes of the LORD' alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה׀1 of 19
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אָמַ֣ר2 of 19

And now saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 19

of the LORD

H3068

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

יוֹצְרִ֤י4 of 19

that formed

H3335

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

מִבֶּ֙טֶן֙5 of 19

me from the womb

H990

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

לְעֶ֣בֶד6 of 19

to be his servant

H5650

a servant

ל֔וֹ7 of 19
H0
לְשׁוֹבֵ֤ב8 of 19

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יַֽעֲקֹב֙9 of 19

Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֵלָ֔יו10 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל11 of 19

to him Though Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

ל֣אֹ12 of 19
H3808

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

יֵאָסֵ֑ף13 of 19

be not gathered

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

וְאֶכָּבֵד֙14 of 19

yet shall I be glorious

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

בְּעֵינֵ֣י15 of 19

in the eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 19

of the LORD

H3068

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

וֵאלֹהַ֖י17 of 19

and 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

הָיָ֥ה18 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עֻזִּֽי׃19 of 19

shall be my strength

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)


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 49:5 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 49:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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