Isaiah 43:4
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Original Language Analysis
מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָקַ֧רְתָּ
Since thou wast precious
H3365
יָקַ֧רְתָּ
Since thou wast precious
Strong's:
H3365
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
בְעֵינַ֛י
in my sight
H5869
בְעֵינַ֛י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
נִכְבַּ֖דְתָּ
thou hast been honourable
H3513
נִכְבַּ֖דְתָּ
thou hast been honourable
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
4 of 12
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
אֲהַבְתִּ֑יךָ
and I have loved
H157
אֲהַבְתִּ֑יךָ
and I have loved
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
6 of 12
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
וְאֶתֵּ֤ן
thee therefore will I give
H5414
וְאֶתֵּ֤ן
thee therefore will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אָדָם֙
men
H120
אָדָם֙
men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
8 of 12
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
תַּחְתֶּ֔יךָ
H8478
תַּחְתֶּ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
9 of 12
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Cross References
1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Genesis 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:Revelation 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.John 17:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.Hosea 11:1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.Jeremiah 31:3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.Psalms 135:4For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:Deuteronomy 26:18And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Historical Context
Written to exiled Israelites who felt abandoned and worthless in Babylon, this oracle reversed their shame. Ancient captives experienced profound identity crisis, often forced to serve foreign gods and labor for pagan empires. Isaiah's declaration that they remained 'precious' and 'honourable' despite exile would have been revolutionary. The historical context of Persian imperialism (539-330 BC) saw nations traded like commodities in empire-building, which Isaiah reinterprets as divine providence securing Israel's redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God's love precedes and creates your value liberate you from performance-based spirituality?
- What implications does God's willingness to give 'men for thee, and people for thy life' have for understanding the particularity of Christ's atonement?
- How should the doctrine of election - that God considers you precious and honourable by sovereign choice - affect your worship and gratitude?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee. This verse articulates the Reformed doctrine of unconditional election with breathtaking clarity. The Hebrew yaqar (precious, valuable) indicates intrinsic worth assigned by the valuer, not earned merit. God's estimation precedes Israel's existence or performance - election springs from divine love, not human worthiness.
The term kabad (honourable, weighty) connects to glory-weight in Hebrew thought. God glorifies His chosen by association with His own honor. The perfect tense "I have loved thee" (ahavticha) indicates completed, settled divine affection - God's love is not conditional upon response or obedience but grounds covenant relationship itself.
"Therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life" extends the ransom metaphor. Reformed theology sees here the doctrine of limited atonement foreshadowed - Christ's death has particular, effectual application to the elect. God values His chosen so highly that humanity itself serves as exchange currency. This prioritization offends egalitarian sensibilities but reveals the scandal of sovereign grace - God loves whom He chooses, creating infinite value through electing love.