Isaiah 49:1

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Listen {H8085}, O isles {H339}, unto me; and hearken {H7181}, ye people {H3816}, from far {H7350}; The LORD {H3068} hath called {H7121} me from the womb {H990}; from the bowels {H4578} of my mother {H517} hath he made mention {H2142} of my name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Coastlands, listen to me; listen, you peoples far away: ADONAI called me from the womb; before I was born, he had spoken my name.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 49:1 inaugurates the second of the Servant Songs, presenting the Servant of the Lord directly addressing a universal audience, calling distant lands and peoples to attend to his message. This pivotal verse immediately establishes the Servant's extraordinary identity, emphasizing that his divine commission was not a matter of human choice or circumstance but a sovereign, intimate, and pre-ordained calling by Yahweh from before his very birth, even to the mention of his name in the womb. It sets the stage for understanding the Servant's unique role in God's redemptive plan, a plan with global implications.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 49:1 marks the beginning of the second of the four "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, 52:13-53:12) within the Book of Isaiah. These songs are distinct poetic sections that introduce and develop the character and mission of the "Servant of the Lord." Following the first song in [Isaiah 42](/isaiah/42 "Isaiah 42 - The First Servant Song"), which introduces the Servant as God's chosen one, [Isaiah 49](/isaiah/49 "Isaiah 49 - The Second Servant Song") shifts to the Servant himself speaking, detailing his personal calling and the scope of his mission. This immediate shift to the Servant's direct address underscores the profound personal nature of his relationship with God and the divine authority behind his words. The broader context of Isaiah 40-55, often called "Deutero-Isaiah," focuses on God's comfort and restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile, emphasizing Yahweh's sovereignty, unique power, and plan for salvation that extends to all nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Isaiah spans a significant period, from the Assyrian threat in the 8th century BCE (Isaiah 1-39) to the Babylonian exile and the promise of return in the 6th century BCE (Isaiah 40-66). The Servant Songs are generally understood to be set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, offering hope and a vision for future restoration. The "isles" or "coastlands" (Hebrew: `ʼîy`) refer to distant maritime regions, often symbolizing the Gentile nations beyond the immediate land of Israel. In the ancient Near East, divine calling from the womb was a powerful concept, signifying a special destiny and a life consecrated to a particular purpose from the earliest possible moment. This idea would have resonated with the Israelite understanding of prophets and leaders chosen by God, emphasizing the Servant's unique status as one divinely appointed and prepared for his monumental task.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes central to the Servant Songs and the broader message of Isaiah. The primary theme is **Divine Calling and Pre-ordination**, highlighting that the Servant's identity and mission are not accidental but sovereignly determined by God before birth. This pre-natal election underscores the **Unique Identity of the Servant** as one specially chosen and set apart for a specific redemptive purpose. Furthermore, the opening command to "Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far" establishes the **Universal Scope of the Servant's Mission**. His message is not confined to Israel but extends to all nations, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan, a theme that culminates later in the Servant being a "light to the Gentiles" in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - The Servant as a Light to the Gentiles"). This universal reach is a hallmark of God's redemptive work as revealed throughout Isaiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Listen (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085 - This primitive root means to hear intelligently, often implying attention, obedience, or understanding. Here, it is a direct imperative, a summons to heed the Servant's words with careful consideration and a readiness to respond. It's not merely passive hearing but active reception.
* **isles (Hebrew, _ʼîy'_):** H339 - Properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island. In prophetic literature, "isles" or "coastlands" frequently refer to distant lands and the Gentile nations, emphasizing the global, expansive reach of the Servant's message beyond the immediate confines of Israel.
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** H7121 - A primitive root meaning to call out to, properly, to address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications including to invite, name, proclaim. In this context, it signifies a divine summons, an authoritative invitation into a specific role or relationship, indicating a deliberate and intentional act of God.
* **made mention (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** H2142 - A primitive root meaning to mark (so as to be recognized), to remember, or by implication, to mention. This word powerfully conveys the idea of God's intimate knowledge and pre-existent awareness of the Servant's identity and destiny, even before his physical birth. It suggests a divine naming or designation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far;":** This opening imperative is a dramatic call to attention, directly from the Servant to a vast, universal audience. "Isles" and "people from far" are synonymous parallelisms, collectively representing all distant nations and peoples. The Servant's message is not whispered to a select few but proclaimed broadly, indicating its global significance and the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. The urgency of "listen" and "hearken" underscores the critical importance of what is about to be revealed.
* **"The LORD hath called me from the womb;":** This clause reveals the source and timing of the Servant's commission. The "LORD" (Yahweh, H3068) is the sovereign God of Israel, emphasizing the divine authority behind the calling. The phrase "from the womb" signifies a pre-natal, pre-destined, and utterly sovereign act of God. It implies that the Servant's existence and purpose were known and ordained by God even before he drew his first breath, establishing his unique and divinely appointed status.
* **"from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.":** This second clause functions as a powerful synonymous parallelism to the preceding one, reinforcing the depth and intimacy of God's pre-ordination. "From the bowels of my mother" is a poetic and visceral way of reiterating "from the womb," emphasizing the earliest possible moment of existence. To "make mention of my name" implies not just a casual reference but a divine recognition, designation, and perhaps even a naming that defines the Servant's very being and mission. It underscores that the Servant's identity and destiny are entirely rooted in God's eternal purpose.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 49:1 is rich in **Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, particularly **Synonymous Parallelism**. The opening lines, "Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far," employ this device, where "Listen" and "hearken" are similar imperatives, and "isles" and "people from far" refer to the same universal audience. This repetition emphasizes the urgency and breadth of the Servant's call. Similarly, the phrases "from the womb" and "from the bowels of my mother" are synonymous, powerfully reinforcing the idea of a pre-natal, divinely ordained calling. The passage also functions as a **Divine Oracle**, as the Servant speaks with the authority of God's chosen messenger. The direct address to the "isles" and "people" gives the passage an immediate and compelling **Apostrophe**, drawing the reader into the universal scope of the Servant's mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 49:1 profoundly establishes the Servant's divine pre-ordination, setting him apart as uniquely chosen by God from the earliest moments of existence. This theme resonates throughout biblical theology, underscoring God's sovereign hand in selecting individuals for specific redemptive purposes. It highlights that true authority and mission derive from God's initiative, not human merit or ambition. The universal call to "isles" and "people from far" broadens the scope of God's salvation beyond Israel, foreshadowing a global redemption that would encompass all humanity. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding the Servant not merely as a national figure but as one whose work has cosmic implications, bringing light and salvation to the ends of the earth.

* [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Calling")
* [Galatians 1:15](/galatians/1-15 "Galatians 1:15 - Paul's Apostolic Calling")
* [Psalm 22:10](/psalm/22-10 "Psalm 22:10 - Trust from the Womb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 49:1 offers a profound lens through which to view our own lives and God's sovereign purpose. Just as the Servant's calling was divinely initiated and known from the womb, this verse invites us to consider that God has a unique, intentional purpose for each of us, woven into the fabric of our being even before our birth. This understanding can provide immense comfort, confidence, and clarity, reminding us that our lives are not random but part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan. It challenges us to seek out and embrace the specific calling God has placed upon us, trusting that He who calls also equips and sustains. Furthermore, the universal scope of the Servant's message encourages us to adopt a global perspective in our faith, recognizing that God's heart beats for all nations and that we are called to participate in His mission to reach people "from far."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God calling someone "from the womb" impact your understanding of divine sovereignty and personal purpose?**
* **In what ways might understanding your own life as divinely purposed from the beginning bring you peace or confidence?**
* **How can the Servant's universal audience challenge your perspective on sharing the Gospel and engaging with people from different backgrounds?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "Servant" in Isaiah 49:1?**

Answer: The identity of the "Servant" in Isaiah's Servant Songs has been a subject of much scholarly discussion. In various contexts within Isaiah, the Servant can represent the nation of Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 41:8](/isaiah/41-8 "Isaiah 41:8 - Israel, My Servant")), a faithful remnant within Israel, or a specific individual. However, New Testament theology and Christian tradition overwhelmingly identify the Servant, particularly in songs like [Isaiah 49](/isaiah/49 "Isaiah 49 - The Second Servant Song") and [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and fulfills the Servant's mission and characteristics.

**What is the significance of being called "from the womb" and having one's "name mentioned" before birth?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the Servant's extraordinary and unique divine commissioning. It signifies that the Servant's identity, purpose, and mission were not accidental or chosen by himself, but were divinely ordained, known, and set apart by God from the earliest possible moment of existence. It highlights God's sovereignty over life and destiny, imbuing the Servant with unparalleled authority and a pre-ordained destiny. This concept is echoed in the callings of other biblical figures like Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Calling")) and Paul ([Galatians 1:15](/galatians/1-15 "Galatians 1:15 - Paul's Apostolic Calling")), but finds its ultimate and perfect expression in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 49:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Servant's pre-natal calling by the LORD, with His name mentioned from the womb, perfectly describes Christ's eternal pre-existence and divine designation. Before the foundation of the world, Jesus was known and appointed by God for His redemptive mission, as [1 Peter 1:20](/1_peter/1-20 "1 Peter 1:20 - Christ Foreknown Before the Foundation of the World") affirms. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary in [Luke 1:31-33](/luke/1-31 "Luke 1:31-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Birth") confirms that Jesus' identity and destiny were divinely ordained before His birth. Furthermore, the Servant's universal call to "isles" and "people from far" directly prefigures Christ's global mission. Jesus came not only for the lost sheep of Israel but also to gather people from every tribe, tongue, and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Multitude from Every Nation")). His Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") explicitly commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, extending the Servant's universal reach through His church. Thus, Isaiah 49:1 beautifully anticipates the unique, divinely appointed, and universally redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

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

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.

Galatians 1:15

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

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.

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.

Luke 1:31

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

Psalms 71:5

For thou [art] my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my trust from my youth.

Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.