Isaiah 41:14
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְאִי֙
Fear
H3372
תִּֽירְאִי֙
Fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 13
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
תּוֹלַ֣עַת
not thou worm
H8438
תּוֹלַ֣עַת
not thou worm
Strong's:
H8438
Word #:
3 of 13
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
מְתֵ֖י
and ye men
H4962
מְתֵ֖י
and ye men
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְגֹאֲלֵ֖ךְ
and thy redeemer
H1350
וְגֹאֲלֵ֖ךְ
and thy redeemer
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
11 of 13
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
Cross References
Psalms 22:6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.Isaiah 54:5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.Isaiah 43:14Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.Psalms 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.Job 25:6How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?Job 19:25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:Isaiah 47:4As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Historical Context
The exilic community was indeed small and weak like a worm, easily crushed. Yet their Redeemer is the Holy One, creating infinite contrast between their weakness and His power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does honest acknowledgment of your 'worm-like' condition lead to greater appreciation for God's help?
- What does it mean that the Holy One serves as your Kinsman-Redeemer despite your unworthiness?
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Analysis & Commentary
God addresses Israel as 'thou worm Jacob' and 'ye men of Israel' (better 'few men'—emphasizing smallness). This shocking designation 'worm' (Hebrew 'tola'at') acknowledges their weakness and insignificance, yet God promises, 'I will help thee.' The Holy One of Israel acts as their Redeemer ('go'el'—kinsman-redeemer), showing covenant relationship overcomes unworthiness.