Isaiah 49:5

3 He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.”

4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”

And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—

6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”

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
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength—
KJV
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.
WEB
Now the LORD, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says to bring Jacob again to him, and to gather Israel to him, for I am honorable in the LORD’s eyes, and my God has become my strength.
ASV
And now saith Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength);
DARBY
And now, saith Jehovah, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I should bring Jacob again to him; (though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorified in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God shall be my strength;)
BLB
And now, has said YHWH, the One forming Me from the womb to [be] a servant for Him, to bring back Jacob to Him, so that Israel to Him might be gathered—and I am honored in the eyes of YHWH, and My God is My strength—
ÅB
Og nå sier Herren, som fra mors liv har dannet meg til sin tjener, for å føre Jakob tilbake til ham og samle Israel for ham, og jeg er æret i Herrens øyne, og min Gud er blitt min styrke -
OTB
Og nå sier Herren— han som formet meg i mors liv til å være hans tjener for å føre Jakob tilbake til ham og samle Israel til seg, for jeg er æret i Herrens øyne og min Gud er min styrke—
B1930
Og nu sier Herren, som fra mors liv har dannet mig til sin tjener, for å føre Jakob tilbake til ham og samle Israel for ham, og jeg er æret i Herrens øine, og min Gud er blitt min styrke -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • John 3:35

    The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 17:5

    While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

    Read in context
  • Romans 15:8

    For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 3:22

    who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 28:18

    Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 15:24

    He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 43:4

    Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 52:13

    Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

    Read in context