King James Version

What Does Isaiah 49:7 Mean?

Isaiah 49:7 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorre...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 49:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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

9

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

Read Isaiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The title 'the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One' emphasizes both covenant faithfulness and moral purity, while 'to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth' prophesies the Servant's rejection. The phrase 'to a servant of rulers' describes humiliation - the true King serves earthly authorities. Yet 'Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship' predicts ultimate vindication when all bow to Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus was despised and rejected (John 1:11), submitted to Roman/Jewish authorities, yet is now worshiped by believing rulers worldwide. This pattern of humiliation-then-exaltation defines the gospel and Christian experience (2 Timothy 2:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's experience of despising and rejection comfort you when you face similar treatment for faithfulness?
  2. What does it mean that Christ became 'servant of rulers' yet will be worshiped by kings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כֹּ֣ה1 of 24
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָֽמַר2 of 24

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙3 of 24

“because of the LORD”

H3068

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

גֹּאֵ֨ל4 of 24

“the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל5 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

קְדֹ֥שׁ6 of 24

“and his Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

לִבְזֹה7 of 24

“despiseth”

H960

scorned

נֶ֜פֶשׁ8 of 24

“to him whom man”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לִמְתָ֤עֵֽב9 of 24

“abhorreth”

H8581

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest

גּוֹי֙10 of 24

“to him whom the nation”

H1471

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

לְעֶ֣בֶד11 of 24

“to a servant”

H5650

a servant

מֹשְׁלִ֔ים12 of 24

“of rulers”

H4910

to rule

מְלָכִים֙13 of 24

“Kings”

H4428

a king

יִרְא֣וּ14 of 24

“shall see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וָקָ֔מוּ15 of 24

“and arise”

H6965

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

שָׂרִ֖ים16 of 24

“princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֑וּ17 of 24

“also shall worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לְמַ֤עַן18 of 24
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יְהוָה֙19 of 24

“because of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נֶאֱמָ֔ן21 of 24

“that is faithful”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

קְדֹ֥שׁ22 of 24

“and his Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל23 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיִּבְחָרֶֽךָּ׃24 of 24

“and he shall choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

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 49:7 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 49:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 2:4Matthew 26:67Isaiah 53:3Isaiah 48:17Psalms 22:6-8Psalms 72:10-11

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