Isaiah 49:7

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָֽמַר

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙

H3068

because of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

גֹּאֵ֨ל

H1350

the Redeemer

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

קְדֹ֥שׁ

H6918

and his Holy One

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

לִבְזֹה

H960

despiseth

scorned

נֶ֜פֶשׁ

H5315

to him whom man

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לִמְתָ֤עֵֽב

H8581

abhorreth

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest

#10

גּוֹי֙

H1471

to him whom the nation

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#11

לְעֶ֣בֶד

H5650

to a servant

a servant

#12

מֹשְׁלִ֔ים

H4910

of rulers

to rule

#13

מְלָכִים֙

H4428

Kings

a king

#14

יִרְא֣וּ

H7200

shall see

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#15

וָקָ֔מוּ

H6965

and arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#16

שָׂרִ֖ים

H8269

princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

#17

וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֑וּ

H7812

also shall worship

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#18

לְמַ֤עַן

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

#19

יְהוָה֙

H3068

because of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#20

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#21

נֶאֱמָ֔ן

H539

that is faithful

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

#22

קְדֹ֥שׁ

H6918

and his Holy One

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

#23

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#24

וַיִּבְחָרֶֽךָּ׃

H977

and he shall choose

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood faith. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of faith differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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