Isaiah 43:1

KJV

¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

KJV (with Strong's)

But now thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} that created {H1254} thee, O Jacob {H3290}, and he that formed {H3335} thee, O Israel {H3478}, Fear {H3372} not: for I have redeemed {H1350} thee, I have called {H7121} thee by thy name {H8034}; thou art mine.

Complete Jewish Bible

But now this is what ADONAI says, he who created you, Ya'akov, he who formed you, Isra'el: "Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I am calling you by your name; you are mine.

Berean Standard Bible

Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

American Standard Version

But now thus saith Jehovah that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 43:1 stands as a profound declaration of divine comfort and unwavering assurance, delivered by the prophet Isaiah to a people facing profound distress and exile. It powerfully articulates God's unique relationship with Israel, rooted in His creative power, redemptive action, and intimate personal knowledge. This verse serves as a foundational statement of identity and security, reminding God's chosen people that despite their circumstances, they are eternally His, called by name, and eternally redeemed, thus dispelling all reason for fear.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 43:1 opens a pivotal section within the Book of Isaiah, specifically chapters 40-55, often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" or "Second Isaiah." This segment marks a significant thematic shift from earlier prophecies of judgment and impending exile (e.g., [Isaiah 39](/isaiah/39 "Isaiah 39 - Hezekiah's Folly and the Babylonian Exile")) to messages of hope, restoration, and future glory. Following the somber pronouncements of Israel's unfaithfulness and the inevitable Babylonian captivity, God now speaks directly to His people's despair, offering words of comfort and a renewed vision of His steadfast love and redemptive plan. The preceding chapters, particularly [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - Comfort for God's People"), establish the omnipotence and unique sovereignty of God, setting the stage for His personal address to Israel in this verse.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical backdrop for Isaiah 43:1 is the impending or ongoing Babylonian exile (586-539 BC). The nation of Judah had suffered devastating defeats, Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed, and many of its inhabitants were forcibly deported to Babylon. This period was marked by profound national trauma, spiritual despair, and questions about God's faithfulness and power. The people, referred to as "Jacob" and "Israel," were in a foreign land, surrounded by pagan cultures, feeling abandoned and forgotten by their God. Culturally, the concept of a nation's god being defeated when its people were conquered was prevalent. Thus, God's declaration in Isaiah 43:1 directly challenges this worldview, asserting His absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unbreakable covenant with His chosen people, promising their return and restoration despite their current subjugation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Creation**, emphasizing God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer of Israel, highlighting His absolute authority and power over their existence and destiny. This theme is foundational, reminding Israel that their identity is rooted in God's original design, echoing the themes found throughout [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Secondly, the imperative "Fear not" introduces the theme of **Divine Assurance and Comfort**, a recurring motif in Isaiah, particularly in chapters 40-55, directly addressing the anxiety and despair of the exiles. This reassurance is grounded in God's character and His active intervention on their behalf, as seen in other passages like [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Strengthen and Help"). Thirdly, "I have redeemed thee" introduces the profound theme of **Redemption and Deliverance**, pointing to God's past acts of liberation (e.g., the Exodus from Egypt) and foreshadowing future deliverance from Babylonian captivity. This concept of redemption (Hebrew: *gâʼal*) implies a kinsman-redeemer who buys back or sets free, signifying God's deep commitment to His people. Finally, "I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine" speaks to **Personal Calling and Divine Ownership**, emphasizing the intimate, covenantal relationship between God and Israel. To call by name signifies deep knowledge, personal selection, and a unique bond, reaffirming Israel's special status as God's treasured possession, a theme echoed in [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **created (Hebrew, _bârâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies an absolute act of creation, often implying creation from nothing (ex nihilo) and always with God as the subject. In Isaiah 43:1, it emphasizes God's unique, unparalleled power as the originator of Israel's existence, not merely as a nation, but as a people uniquely chosen and brought into being by divine decree. It speaks to God's ultimate authorship and sovereignty over their very being.
* **formed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** This word is often associated with a potter shaping clay, highlighting a deliberate, skillful, and intimate process of molding and designing. While *bârâʼ* emphasizes the initial act of bringing into existence, *yâtsar* speaks to God's ongoing, personal involvement in shaping Israel's identity, character, and destiny. It conveys the idea of intentional craftsmanship, implying that Israel's formation as a distinct people was a purposeful act of God's hand.
* **redeemed (Hebrew, _gâʼal'_):** This powerful term refers to the act of buying back or setting free, particularly within the context of the Oriental law of kinship. The *go'el* (kinsman-redeemer) was responsible for protecting the family's interests, including buying back property, avenging wrongs, or marrying a widow to raise an heir. Here, God declares Himself Israel's Kinsman-Redeemer, signifying His commitment to deliver them from bondage (physical and spiritual), restore their lost status, and re-establish their freedom, often at a great cost. It underscores God's personal, familial bond with Israel and His active intervention to rescue them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the divine speaker, "the LORD" (Yahweh), emphasizing His covenant name and personal relationship with Israel. The use of "But now" signals a shift from previous pronouncements of judgment to a message of hope. The parallel phrases "created thee, O Jacob" and "formed thee, O Israel" underscore God's foundational role in Israel's existence, using both their patriarchal and national names to encompass the entire people. This dual reference highlights both their historical origins and their current national identity, all rooted in God's sovereign design.
* **"Fear not:"**: This is a direct, emphatic command, serving as the central imperative of the verse. It addresses the deep-seated anxiety and despair of the exilic community, offering a powerful antidote to their fear. This command is not a mere suggestion but a divine injunction, grounded in the subsequent declarations of God's character and actions.
* **"for I have redeemed thee,"**: This clause provides the primary reason for the command "Fear not." God's past, decisive act of redemption serves as the bedrock of Israel's security. The perfect tense "have redeemed" indicates a completed action with ongoing effects, pointing to God's consistent history of delivering His people and foreshadowing their imminent release from Babylonian captivity. This redemption is a powerful demonstration of His love and commitment.
* **"I have called [thee] by thy name;"**: This signifies an intimate, personal relationship between God and Israel. To call someone by name implies deep knowledge, personal selection, and a unique, unbreakable bond. It emphasizes that Israel is not an anonymous mass but a people known individually and intimately by their Creator and Redeemer. This act of calling confers identity, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
* **"thou [art] mine."**: This final, declarative statement seals the covenantal relationship, affirming God's absolute ownership and possession of Israel. It is the ultimate source of their security and identity. This declaration means Israel is not subject to the whims of other nations or deities; they belong exclusively to the sovereign LORD, who has created, formed, redeemed, and personally called them.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 43:1 is rich with literary devices that amplify its message of comfort and assurance. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly in the opening clauses: "that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel." This synonymous parallelism reinforces God's dual role as both the ultimate Creator and the intimate shaper of His people, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of His involvement. The use of both "Jacob" (the patriarch, representing the individual and historical root) and "Israel" (the nation, representing the collective identity) further strengthens this parallel structure, encompassing the entire people. **Divine Address** is central, with the LORD speaking directly and personally to His people, using the second-person singular "thee" and "thy name," creating an immediate and intimate tone. The imperative "Fear not" is a powerful **Rhetorical Command** that directly confronts the audience's emotional state, immediately followed by the **Reasoning/Grounding** ("for I have redeemed thee..."), which provides the theological basis for the command. Finally, the concluding declaration "thou art mine" serves as a definitive **Affirmation of Ownership and Covenant**, a powerful statement of identity and belonging that provides ultimate security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 43:1 is a theological cornerstone, articulating God's unchanging character as Creator, Redeemer, and Covenant-Keeper. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved in the lives of His people, even in their deepest despair. The themes of divine creation and formation speak to humanity's origin and purpose, reminding us that our very existence is by God's design. The concept of redemption points to God's active intervention to liberate His people from bondage, a motif that permeates biblical history from the Exodus to the ultimate redemption through Christ. The personal calling and declaration of ownership highlight the profound intimacy of God's relationship with His chosen ones, offering a secure identity rooted not in human achievement or circumstance but in divine election and love. This verse affirms that God's people are His treasured possession, known by name, and eternally secure in His hands, providing a powerful antidote to fear and a foundation for unwavering trust.

* [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, A Royal Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often defined by uncertainty, anxiety, and a relentless search for identity, Isaiah 43:1 offers a profound anchor for the soul. This verse calls us to release the grip of fear, not through wishful thinking, but through a robust understanding of who God is and who we are in relation to Him. When we face personal crises, societal turmoil, or existential doubts, this divine declaration reminds us that the God who spoke the cosmos into being is the same God who intimately created and formed us. He knows our name, not as a mere label, but as a deep recognition of our unique personhood. Our value and belonging are not contingent on our performance, achievements, or external validation, but are irrevocably sealed by His redemptive act and His declaration, "thou art mine." This truth liberates us to live with courage, purpose, and profound security, knowing that our ultimate identity and destiny are held firmly in the hands of our loving Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most struggle with fear, and how might remembering God as your Creator and Redeemer help you to "Fear not"?**
* **What does it mean to you personally that God has "called you by your name" and declared, "you are mine"? How does this truth impact your sense of identity and belonging?**
* **How does understanding God's past acts of redemption (both for Israel and in your own life) strengthen your trust in His ability to redeem future challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why does God refer to His people as both "Jacob" and "Israel" in this verse?**

Answer: The use of both "Jacob" and "Israel" is a significant literary and theological device. "Jacob" refers to the patriarch, the individual whose life story, marked by struggle and transformation, represents the origins of the nation. It often evokes the human weakness, deception, and wrestling with God that characterized his early life. "Israel," the name God gave to Jacob after his wrestling match ([Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Genesis 32:28 - Jacob Wrestles with God")), signifies a people who "strives with God" or "God strives." It represents the nation's covenant identity, their calling, and their destiny as God's chosen people. By using both names, God encompasses the entire spectrum of their existence—from their flawed origins to their divinely ordained national identity—reaffirming His ownership and commitment to them in all their facets. It emphasizes that God knows them intimately, both individually and collectively, in their weakness and in their strength.

**What is the significance of God saying, "I have called thee by thy name"?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, knowing and calling someone by their name signified deep personal knowledge, authority, and often, ownership or a special relationship. When God declares, "I have called thee by thy name," it conveys profound intimacy and personal selection. It means that Israel is not an anonymous mass to God, but a people known intimately, individually, and purposefully. This act of calling confers identity, validates existence, and establishes a unique, unbreakable bond. It implies that God has chosen them, set them apart, and given them a distinct purpose, reinforcing their status as His special possession. This theme is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus, the Good Shepherd, declares, "He calls his own sheep by name" ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Shepherd Calls His Own Sheep by Name")), signifying His personal care and knowledge of His followers.

**How does the concept of "redemption" in Isaiah 43:1 apply to believers today?**

Answer: While "I have redeemed thee" initially referred to God's past deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their future liberation from Babylonian exile, its theological meaning extends powerfully to believers today. The Hebrew word *gâʼal* implies a kinsman-redeemer who pays a price to set free. For Christians, this points to the ultimate act of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. We were enslaved by sin and separated from God, but Christ, our divine Kinsman-Redeemer, paid the ultimate price—His own life—to buy us back ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ")). Through His sacrifice, we are set free from the power of sin, death, and the law's condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Thus, Isaiah 43:1 reminds us that our security, freedom, and belonging are rooted in Christ's finished work on the cross, making us eternally God's own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 43:1, while directly addressed to ancient Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The declaration that the LORD "created thee" and "formed thee" points to God's sovereign authorship over all creation, a role explicitly attributed to Christ in the New Testament, where He is revealed as the agent through whom "all things were made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him") and [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, the Creator of All Things")). More critically, the promise "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee" is fully realized in Christ's atoning work. He is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer (*go'el*), who, by taking on human flesh, became our closest kin and paid the immeasurable price of His own blood to ransom humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood") and [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Redeems with His Blood")). Furthermore, the intimate declaration "I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine" resonates deeply with Christ's relationship to His followers. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows His sheep by name and calls them out, assuring them of their secure place in His flock ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - The Shepherd Calls His Own Sheep by Name") and [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). Through faith in Christ, believers are adopted into God's family, receiving a new identity as His beloved children, eternally belonging to Him ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption") and [1 John 3:1](/1_john/3-1 "1 John 3:1 - We Are Children of God")). Thus, the comfort and security offered in Isaiah 43:1 are not merely historical promises but living realities for all who are "in Christ," who is our Creator, Redeemer, and the one who calls us by name into His eternal possession.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 100:3

Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

Isaiah 43:7

[Even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isaiah 54:4

Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Isaiah 54:5

For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;