Isaiah Chapter 43 · Verse 3

Authorized King James Version

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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
אֲנִי֙ H589
אֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 2 of 13
i
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)
מִצְרַ֔יִם Egypt H4714
מִצְרַ֔יִם Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 10 of 13
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
כּ֥וּשׁ Ethiopia H3568
כּ֥וּשׁ Ethiopia
Strong's: H3568
Word #: 11 of 13
cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite
וּסְבָ֖א and Seba H5434
וּסְבָ֖א and Seba
Strong's: H5434
Word #: 12 of 13
seba, a son of cush, and the country settled by him
תַּחְתֶּֽיךָ׃ H8478
תַּחְתֶּֽיךָ׃
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 13 of 13
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

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).

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