Isaiah 49:23

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

And kings {H4428} shall be thy nursing fathers {H539}, and their queens {H8282} thy nursing mothers {H3243}: they shall bow down {H7812} to thee with their face {H639} toward the earth {H776}, and lick up {H3897} the dust {H6083} of thy feet {H7272}; and thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}: for they shall not be ashamed {H954} that wait {H6960} for me.

Kings will be your foster-fathers, their princesses your nurses. They will bow to you, face toward the earth, and lick the dust on your feet. Then you will know that I am ADONAI - those who wait for me will not be sorry."

Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame.

Commentary

Isaiah 49:23 (KJV) is a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the future glory and vindication of God's people, often understood as Zion or the church, and the universal recognition of His sovereignty.

Context of Isaiah 49:23

This verse is found within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), specifically in a section where God is addressing the despondency of His people during or after their Babylonian exile. Though they felt abandoned and forgotten, God reassures them of His unfailing love and plans for their restoration. Isaiah 49 begins with the call of the Servant (often interpreted as Christ or Israel as a collective witness) and then transitions to promises of Israel's re-gathering and exaltation. Verse 23 details the extent of this future honor and the profound acknowledgment of God's power by the nations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Exaltation of God's People: The prophecy describes an astonishing reversal of fortunes, where those once oppressed will be honored and served by the world's most powerful figures. Kings and queens, symbolizing earthly authority, will tenderly care for and humbly submit to God's chosen ones.
  • Universal Recognition of God's Sovereignty: The imagery of "bowing down...and licking up the dust of thy feet" signifies ultimate humility and profound reverence. It underscores the complete subjugation of worldly power to God's kingdom and His people. This points to a future where every knee shall bow to the Lord.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The concluding phrase, "and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me," is a core promise. It reaffirms God's covenant name, Yahweh (the self-existent, faithful God), and guarantees that those who trust in Him will never be disappointed or put to shame. This echoes similar assurances found throughout scripture, such as Psalm 25:3.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Nursing fathers" and "nursing mothers": This imagery suggests tender care, provision, and nurturing support, not just dominance. It implies that even the most powerful earthly rulers will serve God's people with a parental devotion.
  • "Bow down...lick up the dust": This is a powerful Eastern idiom expressing extreme submission, homage, and deep reverence. It signifies a complete acknowledgment of superior authority and honor.
  • "Thou shalt know that I am the LORD": The Hebrew phrase emphasizes God's unique and unchanging identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. The ultimate purpose of this universal homage is the revelation and acknowledgment of God's true nature and absolute power.

Practical Application

Isaiah 49:23 offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • Hope Amidst Adversity: When God's people face scorn, persecution, or feel marginalized, this verse reminds them of their ultimate vindication and the future glory that awaits them.
  • Trust in God's Promises: It reinforces the truth that God is faithful to His word. Those who patiently wait upon the Lord will never be put to shame, regardless of present circumstances.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: The prophecy assures us that God is ultimately in control of all earthly powers and uses them to fulfill His divine purposes, even if unknowingly. This applies to the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of God's kingdom.

This verse stands as a testament to God's ultimate triumph and the secure future of those who place their hope in Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 60:14 (32 votes)

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 60:16 (31 votes)

    Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

  • Isaiah 60:3 (30 votes)

    And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

  • Micah 7:17 (29 votes)

    They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

  • Isaiah 45:14 (28 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, [saying], Surely God [is] in thee; and [there is] none else, [there is] no God.

  • Isaiah 60:10 (27 votes)

    And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.

  • Isaiah 60:11 (27 votes)

    Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought.