The Servant's Commission to Restore Israel and the Nations
Isaiah 49:1-8
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Isa.49.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- איים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- והקשיבו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- לאמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מרחוק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מבטן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קראני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+OBJ,1,sg
- ממעי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- אמי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הזכיר: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:5 (allusion): God's declaration of calling and consecration before birth — 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you' — parallels the theme of divine calling from the womb.
- Psalm 71:6 (verbal): Speaks of God's care 'from my mother's womb' (or 'from my mother's belly'), closely echoing the language of being known and called from the womb.
- Isaiah 42:1 (thematic): Opening of the Servant Song — 'behold my servant... I have put my Spirit upon him' — connects to Isaiah 49's servant motif and divine commissioning.
- Galatians 1:15 (allusion): Paul's statement that God 'separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace' echoes the motif of a vocation or election appointed from the womb.
- Luke 1:15 (thematic): About John the Baptist being set apart even 'from his mother's womb' (filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb), reflecting New Testament exemplification of prenatal divine calling.
Alternative generated candidates
- Listen, coastlands, to me, and pay attention, peoples far away: the LORD called me from the womb; from my mother's body he named my name.
- Listen, islands, to me; and pay attention, distant peoples: the LORD called me from the womb; from my mother's body he named me.
Isa.49.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- כחרב: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בצל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- החביאני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- וישימני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,_,sg
- לחץ: ADV
- ברור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- באשפתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- הסתירני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Revelation 1:16 (verbal): John depicts Christ with a sharp two‑edged sword coming from his mouth—echoing Isaiah’s image of the mouth as a sharp weapon.
- Revelation 2:16 (verbal): The summons to repent because ‘a sharp sword’ proceeds from Christ’s mouth directly parallels the prophetic motif of speech as a weapon in Isaiah 49:2.
- Jeremiah 1:9 (allusion): God touches Jeremiah’s mouth and puts His words in it—paralleling Isaiah’s portrayal of the prophet’s mouth as divinely formed and empowered.
- Hebrews 4:12 (thematic): The word of God is described as ‘sharper than any two‑edged sword,’ thematically resonating with Isaiah’s metaphor of speech as a piercing, active instrument.
- Psalm 91:1 (thematic): ‘Abide under the shadow of the Almighty’ parallels Isaiah’s image of being hidden in the shadow/hand of God—divine protection and concealment language.
Alternative generated candidates
- He made my mouth like a sharpened sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me. He made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me.
- He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he concealed me.
Isa.49.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אתפאר: VERB,hitpael,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 42:1 (quotation): Shared 'my servant' language and the servant motif — both verses introduce God's chosen servant (Isaiah's servant songs) who embodies God's purpose and glory.
- Isaiah 41:8 (verbal): Directly addresses Israel as 'my servant' / 'Jacob whom I have chosen,' paralleling the personal identification of Israel as God's servant in 49:3.
- Isaiah 44:1-2 (verbal): God's summons to 'Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen' repeats the same designation and divine favor applied to Israel in 49:3.
- Isaiah 49:6 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same speech: 49:3 names the servant ('Israel'), while 49:6 expands the servant's role — to restore Israel and be a light to the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."
- And he said to me, “You are my servant—Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
Isa.49.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- לריק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יגעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לתהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והבל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כחי: NOUN,m,sg,poss,1,sg
- כליתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- אכן: ADV
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ופעלתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
Parallels
- Isaiah 49:5-6 (structural): Immediate context and continuation: the Servant laments apparent failure in v.4, then God reaffirms his purpose and promises vindication and an expanded mission in vv.5–6.
- Isaiah 53:11 (thematic): Servant motif of suffering followed by divine vindication and reward—though the servant endures hardship, God ultimately justifies and prospers him.
- Jeremiah 20:11 (verbal): Prophetic complaint followed by assurance of God's presence and vindication—'the LORD is with me' echoes Isa.49:4’s claim that the speaker’s vindication/right rests with the LORD.
- Job 19:25 (thematic): Personal lament turning to confidence in God as vindicator: despite suffering and apparent defeat, the speaker trusts in a living Redeemer who will vindicate him.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity"—yet truly my cause is with the LORD, and my reward is with my God.
- But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity.” Yet truly my cause is with the LORD, and my reward is with my God.
Isa.49.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יצרי: VERB,qal,ptcp,-,m,pl
- מבטן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לשובב: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יאסף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- ואכבד: VERB,qal,imprf,1,sg
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עזי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
Parallels
- Isaiah 49:1 (verbal): Same Servant song introduction—God’s calling/formation from the womb language and the servant’s commission are present in both verses.
- Isaiah 42:1 (thematic): Early portrayal of the Servant as chosen and upheld by God; parallels the servant’s divine commissioning and mission to restore Israel.
- Isaiah 44:2 (verbal): God’s wording about creating/forming Jacob/Israel from the womb echoes the motif of divine formation applied to the Servant.
- Psalm 139:13 (verbal): Personal imagery of God forming the speaker in the mother’s womb parallels the servant’s claim of being formed/called from the womb.
- Jeremiah 1:5 (thematic): Divine pre-birth knowledge and vocational calling (‘before I formed you… I knew you’) parallels the Servant’s prenatal divine appointment and mission.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the LORD says—he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to restore Jacob to him and that Israel might be gathered to him: I will be honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God will be my strength.
- Now thus says the LORD, the one who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, that Israel might be gathered to him: I will be honored in the LORD, and my God will be my strength.
Isa.49.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נקל: ADJ,m,sg
- מהיותך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- להקים: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ונצורי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להשיב: VERB,qal,inf
- ונתתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,-,sg
- לאור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- ישועתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- עד: PREP
- קצה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 42:6 (verbal): Uses very similar servant-language—God appoints the servant as a 'light to the nations' and a covenantal instrument; part of the same 'Servant' tradition that forms the background for 49:6.
- Acts 13:47 (quotation): Paul (quoting the prophet) explicitly cites Isaiah 49:6 to justify taking the gospel to the Gentiles: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles.'
- Luke 2:32 (allusion): Simeon's song describes the child as 'a light for revelation to the Gentiles,' echoing Isaiah's image of the servant bringing salvation to the nations.
- Matthew 12:18-21 (quotation): Matthew cites Isaiah 42:1–4 (the servant oracle) to describe Jesus; the passage's servant-as-light/mission theme parallels the purpose articulated in 49:6.
- Psalm 67:2 (thematic): Prays that God's way and saving power be known among all nations—resonates with 49:6's emphasis that God's salvation reach to the ends of the earth.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, "It is too little that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
- He said, “It is too little that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Isa.49.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדושו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff:3ms
- לבזה: VERB,qal,inf
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למתעב: VERB,hitp,ptc,ms,sg
- גוי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- משלים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- מלכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וקמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- למען: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נאמן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבחרך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj:2ms
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:3 (verbal): Both verses use the motif of the servant being 'despised' and 'rejected' (l.bazeh / despised of men), linking Isaiah's servant‑suffering to the one whom the nations scorn.
- Isaiah 42:1-4 (thematic): An earlier 'Servant' song that presents the servant as chosen and upheld by the LORD; it parallels Isa.49:7's emphasis on divine election and the servant's vindication before nations and rulers.
- Isaiah 52:13-15 (thematic): Both passages foresee a reversal from humiliation to exaltation: the servant's abasement is followed by a revelation that moves kings and nations to awe and homage.
- Psalm 2:10-12 (allusion): Speaks of kings and rulers being instructed to serve and 'kiss' (do homage to) the king/son—paralleling Isa.49:7's image of rulers and kings rising up and bowing before the LORD's chosen.
- Philippians 2:9-11 (structural): New Testament reflection on the exaltation and universal homage of the humbled/obedient servant (Christ): every knee will bow and confess, echoing Isaiah's theme of vindication and homage by rulers and nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One: to the one despised, to him abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers—kings shall see and rise up, princes shall bow down and prostrate themselves—because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.
- Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One: to the one despised by the nation, to the servant of rulers— Kings shall see and rise; princes shall bow down and prostrate themselves— for the LORD is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.
Isa.49.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רצון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עניתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עזרתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- ואצרך: VERB,qal,fut,1,sg,suff=2,m,sg
- ואתנך: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg,obj:2ms
- לברית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- להקים: VERB,qal,inf
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להנחיל: VERB,hiphil,inf
- נחלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שממות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 42:6 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language — God appoints the servant “a covenant for the people,” echoing 49:8’s promise to give the servant as a covenant.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): Same Servant-song context: expands the servant’s mission to bring salvation to the nations/ends of the earth, linking to 49:8’s “day of salvation.”
- Isaiah 61:1 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD’s favorable time/‘year of the LORD’s favor’ and proclamation of salvation, paralleling 49:8’s ‘in a favorable time… in a day of salvation.’
- Luke 4:18–19 (quotation): Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 (the ‘year of the Lord’s favor’) to inaugurate his mission — New Testament fulfillment/application of the ‘favorable time’/‘day of salvation’ theme in 49:8.
- Jeremiah 31:31 (thematic): Promise of a new covenant with Israel resonates with 49:8’s language of giving the servant ‘as a covenant for the people,’ linking covenant-restoration themes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you. I will preserve you and give you as a covenant for the people, to establish the land and to apportion desolate inheritances.
- Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I will answer you; on a day of salvation I will help you. I will preserve you and make you a covenant for the people, to establish the land and to apportion the desolate inheritances.
Listen, coastlands; give ear, distant peoples: the LORD called me from the womb; from the inward parts of my mother he made mention of my name. And he made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity.” Yet the LORD will vindicate me; my recompense is with my God. Now says the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to restore Jacob to him and that Israel might be gathered to him: I shall be honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God will be my strength. And he said, “It is too little that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One: to the one despised and abhorred by the nation, to a servant of rulers—kings shall see and rise up, princes shall bow down and prostrate themselves—for the LORD is faithful; the Holy One of Israel has chosen you. Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answered you; in a day of salvation I helped you; I will preserve you and give you as a covenant to the people, to restore the land and to apportion the desolate inheritances.