Isaiah 49:5
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֣ה׀
H6258
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יוֹצְרִ֤י
that formed
H3335
יוֹצְרִ֤י
that formed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
4 of 19
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
מִבֶּ֙טֶן֙
me from the womb
H990
מִבֶּ֙טֶן֙
me from the womb
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
5 of 19
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
לְשׁוֹבֵ֤ב
again
H7725
לְשׁוֹבֵ֤ב
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
to him Though Israel
H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
to him Though Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ל֣אֹ
H3808
ל֣אֹ
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵאָסֵ֑ף
be not gathered
H622
יֵאָסֵ֑ף
be not gathered
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
13 of 19
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
וְאֶכָּבֵד֙
yet shall I be glorious
H3513
וְאֶכָּבֵד֙
yet shall I be glorious
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
14 of 19
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
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the eyes
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וֵאלֹהַ֖י
and my God
H430
וֵאלֹהַ֖י
and my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 19
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
Cross References
Matthew 17:5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.John 3:35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Historical Context
This restoration involves both physical return from exile and spiritual regeneration of Israel. Romans 11:26 ('all Israel shall be saved') awaits this Servant's final gathering ministry at Christ's return. His present glorification 'in the eyes of the LORD' anticipates Philippians 2:9-11.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ serve as ultimate gatherer and restorer of scattered, rebellious people?
- What does it mean to find sufficiency in being 'glorious in the eyes of the LORD' alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Servant's mission 'to bring Jacob again to him' and 'that Israel be gathered unto him' reveals His role as Israel's restorer. The parenthetical 'Yet I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD' demonstrates that the Servant finds worth in God's approval regardless of Israel's response. The double mention of divine strength ('my God shall be my strength') emphasizes total dependence on divine enabling for impossible mission.