King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:6 Mean?

Isaiah 49:6 in the King James Version says “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 p...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 49:6 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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

8

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; establish: or, raise up

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse appears in the second Servant Song (49:1-6) and marks a dramatic expansion of the Servant's mission. God speaks: 'It is a light thing' (naqal, נָקַל)—too small, too easy, insufficient—if the Servant merely restored Israel. Though 'raising up the tribes of Jacob' and restoring 'the preserved of Israel' would be miraculous (reuniting scattered tribes, reviving the faithful remnant), God's purpose is far greater. The infinitely larger commission: 'I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles' (le-or goyim). This repeats 42:6, emphasizing the Servant's universal scope. The purpose clause defines the ultimate goal: 'that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth' (li-yeshuati ad-qetseh ha-arets). The Hebrew word for salvation (yeshuah, יְשׁוּעָה) shares the same root as Jesus's name (Yeshua), meaning 'the LORD saves.' The Servant becomes God's salvation personified, extending to earth's remotest corners. Paul cites this verse when turning to Gentile mission (Acts 13:47), recognizing its fulfillment in preaching Christ to all nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Second-temple Judaism debated whether Gentiles would share in messianic redemption or merely serve Israel. This prophecy, written 700 years before Christ, declares God's intention: Messiah's work encompasses all humanity. Jesus's final commission reflects this: 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations' (Matthew 28:19). The early church struggled to accept Gentile inclusion until Acts 10-11 (Peter and Cornelius) and Acts 15 (Jerusalem Council). Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles specifically to fulfill this Isaiah prophecy. Church history demonstrates progressive fulfillment—from Jerusalem to Rome to Europe to the Americas to Asia to Africa—as the gospel reaches every continent, tribe, and tongue.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God's plan always included all nations affect your view of evangelism and missions?
  2. Are you settling for 'light things' in your spiritual life when God has greater purposes for you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָקֵ֨ל2 of 20

“It is a light thing”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

מִֽהְיוֹתְךָ֥3 of 20
H1961

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

לִי֙4 of 20
H0
עֶ֔בֶד5 of 20

“that thou shouldest be my servant”

H5650

a servant

לְהָקִים֙6 of 20

“to raise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת7 of 20
H853

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י8 of 20

“the tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יַעֲקֹ֔ב9 of 20

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וּנְציּרֵ֥י10 of 20
H5336

properly, conservative; but used passively, delivered

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל11 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לְהָשִׁ֑יב12 of 20

“and to restore”

H7725

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

וּנְתַתִּ֙יךָ֙13 of 20

“I will also give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְא֣וֹר14 of 20

“thee for a light”

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

גּוֹיִ֔ם15 of 20

“to the Gentiles”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לִֽהְי֥וֹת16 of 20
H1961

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

יְשׁוּעָתִ֖י17 of 20

“that thou mayest be my salvation”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

עַד18 of 20
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

קְצֵ֥ה19 of 20

“unto the end”

H7097

an extremity

הָאָֽרֶץ׃20 of 20

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 49:6 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 49:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 13:47Isaiah 42:6Luke 2:32Psalms 98:2-3Isaiah 52:10Luke 24:46-47

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