New International VersionAnd now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—
New Living TranslationAnd now the LORD speaks— the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has honored me, and my God has given me strength.
English Standard VersionAnd now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength—
Berean Standard BibleAnd now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James Version“And now the LORD says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, So that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, And My God shall be My strength),
New American Standard BibleAnd now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength),
NASB 1995And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength),
NASB 1977And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, in order that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength),
Legacy Standard BibleSo now says Yahweh, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To return Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am glorified in the sight of Yahweh, And My God is My strength),
Amplified BibleAnd now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him and that Israel might be gathered to Him, —For I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, And My God is My strength—
Christian Standard BibleAnd now, says the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him; for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God is my strength —
Holman Christian Standard BibleAnd now, says the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him so that Israel might be gathered to Him; for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God is my strength—
American Standard VersionAnd now saith Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength);
Contemporary English VersionEven before I was born, the LORD God chose me to serve him and to lead back the people of Israel. So the LORD has honored me and made me strong.
English Revised VersionAnd now saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him: (for I am honourable in the eyes of the LORD, and my God is become my strength:)
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe LORD formed me in the womb to be his servant in order to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him. (The LORD honors me, and my God has become my strength.)
Good News TranslationBefore I was born, the LORD appointed me; he made me his servant to bring back his people, to bring back the scattered people of Israel. The LORD gives me honor; he is the source of my strength.
International Standard Version"And now, says the LORD, who formed you from the womb as his servant to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him— and I am honored in the LORD's sight and my God has been my help —
NET BibleSo now the LORD says, the one who formed me from birth to be his servant--he did this to restore Jacob to himself, so that Israel might be gathered to him; and I will be honored in the LORD's sight, for my God is my source of strength--
New Heart English BibleNow says the LORD who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered to him; for I am honorable in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—
World English BibleNow Yahweh, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says to bring Jacob again to him, and to gather Israel to him, for I am honorable in Yahweh’s eyes, and my God has become my strength. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“And now,” said YHWH, who is forming Me from the belly—His Servant, "" To bring Jacob back to Him "" (Though Israel is not gathered, "" Yet I am honored in the eyes of YHWH, "" And My God has been My strength).
Young's Literal Translation And now, said Jehovah, who is forming me from the belly for a servant to Him, To bring back Jacob unto Him, (Though Israel is not gathered, Yet I am honoured in the eyes of Jehovah, And my God hath been my strength.)
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd now, said Jehovah, forming me from the belly for servant to him to turn back Jacob to him, And Israel shall not be gathered, and I shall be honored in the eyes of Jehovah, and God was my strength. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd now saith the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob unto him, and Israel will not be gathered together: and I am glorified in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is made my strength.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb as his servant, so that I may bring back Jacob to him, for Israel will not be gathered together, but I have been glorified in the eyes of the Lord and my God has become my strength,
New American BibleFor now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!
New Revised Standard VersionAnd now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God has become my strength— Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow, thus says the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel together; I am glorified in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedNow, thus says LORD JEHOVAH who formed me in the womb: “I shall be to him a Servant and I shall turn Yaqob to him and Israel I shall gather.” I was glorified before LORD JEHOVAH and my God was my strength OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And now saith the LORD That formed me from the womb to be His servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, And that Israel be gathered unto Him-- For I am honourable in the eyes of the LORD, And my God is become my strength--
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd now, thus saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his own servant, to gather Jacob to him and Israel. I shall be gathered and glorified before the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context You are My Servant… 4But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.” 5And nowsaysthe LORD,who formed Mefrom the wombto be His Servant,to bring Jacobbackto Him,that Israelmight be gathered to Him—for I am honoredin the sightof the LORD,and My GodisMy strength—6He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”…
Cross References Jeremiah 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Luke 1:31-33Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. / He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
Matthew 1:21She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
John 17:4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
Acts 13:47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Philippians 2:7-8but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
Romans 15:8-9For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, / so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”
John 1:14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matthew 12:18“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Isaiah 42:6“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,
Isaiah 53:11After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 11:1-2Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
Jeremiah 31:10Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.
Treasury of Scripture And now, said 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. that formed Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. to bring Isaiah 46:8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bringit again to mind, O ye transgressors. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Acts 10:36 The word whichGod sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) though, etc. Matthew 21:37-41 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son… Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens underher wings, and ye would not! Luke 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the thingswhich belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. yet Psalm 110:1-3 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool… Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, andhe to whomsoever the Son will revealhim. Jump to Previous BodyEyesFormedGatherGatheredGloriousHonorableHonoredHonourableIsraelJacobMother'sServantSightStrengthTogetherWombJump to Next BodyEyesFormedGatherGatheredGloriousHonorableHonoredHonourableIsraelJacobMother'sServantSightStrengthTogetherWombIsaiah 49 1.Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them5.He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises13.God's love is perpetual to his church18.The ample restoration of the church24.The powerful deliverance out of captivityAnd now says the LORDThis phrase introduces a divine declaration, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "LORD" in all caps typically represents the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God, highlighting His eternal and unchanging nature. This sets the stage for a message of significant importance, as it comes directly from God Himself. who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant
This phrase indicates a divine calling and purpose established before birth. The concept of being formed in the womb suggests God's intimate involvement and intentionality in the creation and mission of His Servant. This Servant is often understood as a prophetic reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was chosen and set apart for His redemptive work. The idea of being a servant is central to the mission of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). to bring Jacob back to Him
Here, the mission of the Servant is outlined: to restore the people of Israel (Jacob) to a right relationship with God. This reflects the recurring biblical theme of God's desire for reconciliation with His people. Historically, Israel had experienced periods of rebellion and exile, and this phrase speaks to the hope of spiritual renewal and return. It also foreshadows the broader mission of Christ, who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). that Israel might be gathered to Him
This phrase emphasizes the collective restoration of the nation of Israel. The gathering of Israel is a common prophetic theme, symbolizing unity and the fulfillment of God's promises. It points to the eschatological hope of the regathering of God's people, not only physically but spiritually, under the new covenant established through Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34). for I am honored in the sight of the LORD
The Servant's mission is affirmed by God's recognition and honor. This reflects the idea that true honor comes from fulfilling God's purposes. In the New Testament, Jesus is repeatedly affirmed by God, such as at His baptism and transfiguration, where God declares His pleasure in His Son (Matthew 3:17, 17:5). This honor underscores the Servant's faithfulness and obedience to God's will. and My God is My strength
This phrase highlights the source of the Servant's power and ability to accomplish His mission. It acknowledges dependence on God for strength and support, a theme echoed throughout scripture. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, often withdrew to pray and seek strength from the Father (Luke 5:16). This reliance on divine strength is a model for believers, emphasizing that true strength comes from God alone (Philippians 4:13). Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is the speaker and the one who commissions the Servant. 2. The ServantA prophetic figure, often understood as the Messiah, who is called to restore Israel. 3. JacobRepresents the nation of Israel, whom the Servant is tasked to bring back to God. 4. IsraelThe people of God, who are to be gathered back to the LORD through the Servant's mission. 5. The WombSymbolizes God's foreknowledge and purpose, indicating that the Servant's mission was ordained before birth. Teaching Points Divine Purpose and CallingGod has a specific purpose for each of us, just as He did for the Servant. We are called to seek and fulfill our God-given mission. Restoration and ReconciliationThe Servant's mission to bring Jacob back to God highlights the importance of reconciliation. We are called to be agents of restoration in our communities. Strength in GodThe Servant acknowledges that God is his strength. In our own lives, we must rely on God's strength rather than our own abilities. Honor in God's SightTrue honor comes from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. We should seek to be honored in God's sight rather than seeking worldly recognition. Preordained MissionJust as the Servant was formed for a purpose from the womb, we too are created with intentionality. Understanding this can give us confidence and direction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 49:5?
2.How does Isaiah 49:5 reveal God's purpose for His servant's mission?
3.What does "formed me from the womb" indicate about God's sovereignty?
4.How can we align our lives with God's purpose as in Isaiah 49:5?
5.How does Isaiah 49:5 connect with Jesus' mission in the New Testament?
6.What steps can you take to serve God faithfully, as shown in Isaiah 49:5?
7.How does Isaiah 49:5 reflect God's purpose for Israel and its fulfillment in history?
8.What is the significance of being "formed from the womb" in Isaiah 49:5?
9.How does Isaiah 49:5 relate to the concept of divine calling and purpose?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 49?
11.What fate awaits Edom according to biblical prophecies?
12.In Isaiah 49:3, the servant is called “Israel,” but elsewhere seems a single individual—does this create an internal inconsistency?
13.How do we interpret the phrase “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) without contradicting Old Testament references to Israel’s unique covenant?
14.Isaiah 49:8 depicts a grand restoration--how does this align with historical records of Israel's exiles and returns that appear less triumphant?What Does Isaiah 49:5 Mean And now says the LORD• The verse opens with the unambiguous voice of God, underscoring that what follows is not human speculation but divine proclamation (cf.Isaiah 48:12;Isaiah 45:22-23). • When the LORD speaks, His words stand forever—“The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). • The hinge word “now” signals a decisive moment in God’s unfolding plan, picking up the momentum from earlier servant songs (Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-4).
who formed Me from the womb• The Servant’s calling is neither accidental nor late-breaking; it was woven into His very conception (cf.Jeremiah 1:5;Psalm 139:13-16). • “But when the fullness of time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4) echoes this prenatal commissioning. • God’s sovereign design guarantees the Servant’s success; what He forms, He finishes.
to be His Servant• “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One in whom My soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1) links all the servant songs into one portrait. • The title “Servant” speaks of complete obedience (Philippians 2:7-8), sacrificial mission (Matthew 20:28), and covenant mediation (Isaiah 42:6). • Far from demeaning, this role elevates: the greatest in God’s kingdom is the one who serves (Mark 10:43-45).
to bring Jacob back to Him• The Servant’s first assignment is covenant restoration: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). • Israel’s exile and spiritual drift are not final; God still calls His ancient people home (Jeremiah 50:4-5;Romans 11:25-27). • This underscores God’s faithfulness to Abrahamic promises despite human failure.
that Israel might be gathered to Him• More than return from Babylon, this points to a comprehensive regathering (Ezekiel 37:21-22;Isaiah 11:12). • Jesus foretold a future ingathering: “He will send out His angels… and they will gather His elect from the four winds” (Matthew 24:31). • The gathering theme anticipates both national restoration and eschatological fulfillment when Messiah reigns in Zion.
for I am honored in the sight of the LORD• Though rejected by many, the Servant enjoys divine honor: “See, My Servant will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13). • God publicly vindicated Christ through resurrection and exaltation (Acts 2:32-36;Philippians 2:9-11). • The Servant’s honor guarantees that every promise tied to Him will stand.
and My God is My strength• The Servant relies wholly on divine empowerment: “The LORD God helps Me; therefore I have not been disgraced” (Isaiah 50:7). • “The Son can do nothing by Himself” (John 5:19) shows this dependence fully expressed in Jesus’ earthly ministry. • Believers share this pattern—“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
summaryIsaiah 49:5 reveals a divinely formed Servant whose lifelong mission is to restore Israel. God Himself commissions, empowers, and honors this Servant, guaranteeing Israel’s ultimate gathering and highlighting the Servant’s utter reliance on divine strength. The verse points unmistakably to Christ, who fulfills the prophetic blueprint with perfect obedience, brings covenantal promises to fruition, and invites all who trust Him to share in the sure hope of final restoration. (5) Though Israel be not gathered.--Better, and that Israel be gathered to Him.The negative, as in Isaiah 9:3, comes from an error of transcription; for "yet" read and.The Servant falls back upon the greatness of the work committed to him, that of restoring Israel, and is certain that sooner or later it will be accomplished. Comp. the argument of Romans 9-11 Verse 5. - And now, saith the Lord, etc.; rather, and now the Lord hath said - he that formed me from the womb to be a Servant to him, that I might bring back Jacob to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him; for I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is become my Strength - he hath said - It is a light thing, etc. The whole of ver. 5, after the words, "and now the Lord hath said," is parenthetic. (On the service which our Lord continually rendered, while on earth, to the Father, see Luke 2:49; Luke 4:43; John 4:34; John 6:38; John 17:4.) The Revelation of St. John shows that in heaven he is still engaged in carrying out his Father's behests. Though Israel be not gathered. This reading, as Mr. Cheyne remarks, "entirely spoils the symmetry of the verse." The practice of writing fresh copies of the Scripture from dictation is answerable for the double reading of לֹא and לו both here and in other places. Yet shall I be glorious. The "Servant" would receive glory even by such a partial conversion of the Jews as took place through his ministry. It is never to be forgotten that all the original twelve apostles were Jews, that Matthias was a Jew, that Paul and Barnabas were Jews, and that the original Church was a Church of Jews ( Acts 2:41-47). All that was truly spiritual in Judaism flowed into the Church of Christ, as into its natural home, and the Jewish element in the Church, if not numerically great, was yet the predominant and formative element.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew And nowוְעַתָּ֣ה ׀(wə·‘at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timesaysאָמַ֣ר(’ā·mar)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saythe LORD,יְהוָ֗ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWHwho formed meיֹצְרִ֤י(yō·ṣə·rî)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3335:To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determinefrom the wombמִבֶּ֙טֶן֙(mib·be·ṭen)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 990:The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anythingto be His Servant,לְעֶ֣בֶד(lə·‘e·ḇeḏ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantto bring Jacobיַֽעֲקֹב֙(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290:Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his descbackלְשׁוֹבֵ֤ב(lə·šō·w·ḇêḇ)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againto Him,אֵלָ֔יו(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothat Israelוְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל(wə·yiś·rā·’êl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descmight be gathered to Him—יֵאָסֵ֑ף(yê·’ā·sêp̄)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 622:To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, removefor I am honoredוְאֶכָּבֵד֙(wə·’ek·kā·ḇêḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3513:To be heavy, weighty, or burdensomein the sightבְּעֵינֵ֣י(bə·‘ê·nê)Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainof the LORD,יְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWHand my Godוֵאלֹהַ֖י(wê·lō·hay)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeisהָיָ֥ה(hā·yāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bemy strength—עֻזִּֽי׃(‘uz·zî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5797:Strength, might
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 49:5 Now says Yahweh who formed me (Isa Isi Is) |
