Keraia
Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:1

The Servant and Light to the Gentiles · Isaiah 49:1–26
Read Isaiah 49

Translations

Modern
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Listen, O islands, to me, and pay attention, O peoples from afar! YHWH has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother He has brought to mind my name.
Latin
Audite, insulæ, et attendite, populi de longe: Dominus ab utero vocavit me; de ventre matris meæ recordatus est nominis mei.

Original

Hebrew
English
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.

Notes

Isaiah 49:1

  • O distant peoples: The servant's work would not be limited to Israel. His ministry would reach people in faraway nations (see Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12; 51:5; 60:9; 66:19).

  • called Me from the womb … He named Me: The promised servant's prophetic call was like Jeremiah's call (see Jeremiah 1:5; see also Galatians 1:15). It was not a general call but a very specific, personal one (see also Isaiah 43:1; 45:3–4).

Isaiah 49:1–55:13

God planned to rescue the Israelites from exile. But an important question remained. How could sinful Israel serve the Holy One again?

God would make a way to remove Israel’s sin. He would restore their fellowship with him. This means he would bring them back into a right relationship with himself.

The way would be through the promised Servant. This Servant would come for Israel and for all nations. He was first introduced in Isaiah 42:1–9. n this passage, he becomes the main focus.

Isaiah 49:1–13

This is traditionally seen as the second of four songs about a suffering servant (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The servant's role in suffering becomes clearer (see also Isaiah 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Parallels

Acts 13:42–52

Glossary

Church Isaiah, Book of Messiah New Creation, New Creature Servant

Topics

Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Island: Prophecies Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning the Coming of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Stillborn Babies The Womb When Life Begins Wonderfully Made