Isaiah 49:16

49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

KJV

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Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. your walls are continually before me.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

49:17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.

What does Isaiah 49:16 mean?

Isaiah 49:16 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include חָקַק (châqaq), כַּף (kaph), חוֹמָה (chôwmâh).

Hebrew interlinear

Behold,

have

gravenחָקַקchâqaq/khaw-kak'/H2710properly, to hack, i.e. engrave (Judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (gen.) prescribe

thee

upon

the

palms

hands;כַּףkaph/kaf/H3709the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power

thy

wallsחוֹמָהchôwmâh/kho-maw'/H2346a wall of protection

are

continuallyתָּמִידtâmîyd/taw-meed'/H8548properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice

before

me.

Topics

Church (2)God

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 49:16.

Numbers 4:7

And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: cover: or, pour out withal

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 49:16 say?

Isaiah 49:16 (King James Version) reads: "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

Is Isaiah 49:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 49:16 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 49:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Isaiah 49:16 →

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