Isaiah 43:3
For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה
For I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
For I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 13
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
קְד֥וֹשׁ
the Holy One
H6918
קְד֥וֹשׁ
the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
5 of 13
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
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
מוֹשִׁיעֶ֑ךָ
thy Saviour
H3467
מוֹשִׁיעֶ֑ךָ
thy Saviour
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
נָתַ֤תִּי
I gave
H5414
נָתַ֤תִּי
I gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כָפְרְךָ֙
for thy ransom
H3724
כָפְרְךָ֙
for thy ransom
Strong's:
H3724
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, a cover, i.e., (literally) a village (as covered in)
Cross References
Isaiah 45:15Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.Isaiah 60:16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Exodus 20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Isaiah 49:26And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Proverbs 21:18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.Isaiah 45:21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.Jude 1:25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.Hosea 13:4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.Isaiah 30:11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.Proverbs 11:8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
Historical Context
This prophecy was delivered during the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC) when Israel faced national extinction. The reference to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as ransom relates to historical events during Cyrus the Great's conquests (539-525 BC). Persia's expansion into North Africa occurred concurrently with Israel's restoration, suggesting divine providence orchestrated international politics for covenant purposes. Ancient Near Eastern law recognized substitutionary ransom (kopher) as a legal mechanism, which Isaiah applies theologically to God's redemptive work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to give nations as ransom for Israel deepen your understanding of His valuation of the elect?
- In what ways does this Old Testament ransom foreshadow the infinite worth of Christ's atoning sacrifice?
- How should recognizing yourself as 'precious' and 'honoured' in God's sight (v. 4) shape your identity and purpose?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. This verse unveils God's covenant faithfulness through three divine titles. The Hebrew YHWH Elohim (LORD thy God) emphasizes personal relationship within covenant, while Qedosh Yisrael (Holy One of Israel) maintains God's transcendent otherness even in intimacy. The title moshia' (Saviour) points to God's active deliverance, a theme fulfilled supremely in Christ.
The phrase "I gave Egypt for thy ransom" employs the Hebrew kopher (ransom, covering), a legal term for substitutionary payment. God providentially orchestrated Cyrus's conquest of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba (modern Sudan and Yemen) as part of the geopolitical arrangements enabling Israel's return from exile. This historical ransom foreshadows the ultimate ransom of Christ's blood (Mark 10:45, 1 Peter 1:18-19).
From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates God's sovereign grace in election - Israel did not earn redemption but received it as unmerited favor. God values His chosen people so highly that nations serve as ransom payment. This prefigures the New Covenant where Christ's precious blood ransoms an elect people from every nation (Revelation 5:9).