Isaiah 49:3

49:2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

KJV

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He said to me, “You are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

And said to me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

49:4 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

What does Isaiah 49:3 mean?

Isaiah 49:3 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אָמַר (ʼâmar), עֶבֶד (ʻebed), יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl). It connects to 6 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

unto

me,

Thou

art

servant,עֶבֶדʻebed/eh'-bed/H5650a servant

Israel,יִשְׂרָאֵלYisrâʼêl/yis-raw-ale'/H3478Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

whom

will

glorified.פָּאַרpâʼar/paw-ar'/H6286to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e. make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

Commentary on Isaiah 49:3

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 49:2–3

="italic">is of the Lord . The designing busy part of mankind are directed, in all their counsels and undertakings, to have their eye to God, and to believe, 1. That there can be no success against God, and therefore they must never act in opposition to him, in contempt of his commands, or in contradiction to his counsels. Though they think they have wisdom, and understanding, and counsel, the best politics and politicians, on their side, yet, if it be against the Lord, it cannot prosper long; it shall not prevail at last. He that sits in heaven laughs at men's projects against him and his anointed, and will carry his point in spite of them, Ps. ii. 1-6 . Those that fight against God are preparing shame and ruin for themselves; whoever make war with the Lamb, he will certainly overcome them, Rev. xvii. 14 . 2. That there can be no success without God, and therefore they must never act but in dependence on him. Be the cause ever so good, and the patrons of it ever so strong, and wise, and faithful, and the means of carrying it on, and gaining the point, ever so probable, still they must acknowledge God and take him along with them. Means indeed are to be used; the horse must be prepared against the day of battle, and the foot too; they must be armed and disciplined. In Solomon's time even Israel's kings used horses in war, though they were forbidden to multiply them. But, after all, safety and salvation are of the Lord; he can save without armies, but armies cannot save without him; and therefore he must be sought to and trusted in for success, and when success is obtained he must have all the glory. When we are preparing for the day of battle our great concern must be to make God our friend and secure his favour. Miscellaneous Maxims.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Kings 1:47

And moreover the king's servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Luke 10:20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Acts 7:10

And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Philippians 4:3

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Hebrews 11:39

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 49:3.

Exodus 16:12

I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 16:3

And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Exodus 4:10

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day

Exodus 5:19

And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

Genesis 42:13

And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

Genesis 44:16

And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

Genesis 44:23

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

Genesis 45:16

And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. pleased: Heb. was good in the eyes of Pharaoh

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 49:3 say?

Isaiah 49:3 (King James Version) reads: "And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

Is Isaiah 49:3 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 49:3 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 49:3, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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