Isaiah 49:1

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

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;

3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me.
KJV
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
WEB
Listen, islands, to me. Listen, you peoples, from afar: the LORD has called me from the womb; from the inside of my mother, he has mentioned my name.
ASV
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples, from far: Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name:
DARBY
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples from afar. Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
BLB
Listen, O islands, to me, and pay attention, O peoples from afar! YHWH has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother He has brought to mind my name.
ÅB
Hør på meg, dere øyer, og gi akt, dere folk fra det fjerne! Herren har kalt meg fra mors liv av, han har nevnt mitt navn fra min mors skjød.
OTB
Hør på meg, dere øyer; gi akt, dere fjerne folk: Herren kalte meg fra mors liv; fra min mors kropp nevnte han mitt navn.
B1930
Hør på mig, I øer, og gi akt, I folk fra det fjerne! Herren har kalt mig fra mors liv av, han har nevnt mitt navn fra min mors skjød.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 1:5

    Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 1:15

    But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 44:2

    Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:31

    And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 2:11

    The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

    Read in context
  • Luke 2:10–11

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 1:20

    Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

    Read in context