Isaiah 49:5

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

4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.

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.

6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

7 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.

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 loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 17:5

    While 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.

    Read in context
  • Romans 15:8

    Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 3:22

    Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 28:18

    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 15:24

    But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 43:4

    Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 52:13

    Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

    Read in context