Isaiah 49:2
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
Original Language Analysis
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
H7760
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פִּי֙
my mouth
H6310
פִּי֙
my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
2 of 12
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
כְּחֶ֣רֶב
sword
H2719
כְּחֶ֣רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
3 of 12
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
יָד֖וֹ
of his hand
H3027
יָד֖וֹ
of his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
6 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
H7760
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙
And he hath made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
8 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְחֵ֣ץ
shaft
H2671
לְחֵ֣ץ
shaft
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
בָּר֔וּר
me a polished
H1305
בָּר֔וּר
me a polished
Strong's:
H1305
Word #:
10 of 12
to clarify (i.e., brighten), examine, select
Cross References
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Revelation 1:16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.Isaiah 50:4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.Isaiah 51:16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.Revelation 2:12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;Jeremiah 1:18For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.Psalms 91:1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.Hosea 6:5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.Revelation 19:15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Historical Context
Isaiah's own ministry (740-681 BC) involved sharp prophetic words and periods of hiddenness (8:16-18). But the language transcends any single prophet, pointing to Messiah whose words have unique authority and whose mission was temporally concealed until 'fullness of time' (Galatians 4:4).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use 'hidden' seasons in your life to sharpen you for future deployment?
- In what ways is Christ's word a 'sharp sword' that pierces your own heart?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery of God making the Servant's mouth 'like a sharp sword' and hiding Him 'in the shadow of his hand' depicts both authority and protection. The 'polished shaft' (arrow) kept in a quiver ready for deployment shows God's strategic timing. Christ's words pierced hearts (Hebrews 4:12) and will judge nations (Revelation 19:15), while His hidden years (age 12-30) were divine preparation.