Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

And I will feed {H398} them that oppress {H3238} thee with their own flesh {H1320}; and they shall be drunken {H7937} with their own blood {H1818}, as with sweet wine {H6071}: and all flesh {H1320} shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} am thy Saviour {H3467} and thy Redeemer {H1350}, the mighty One {H46} of Jacob {H3290}.

I will feed those oppressing you with their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood as with wine. Then everyone will know that I, ADONAI, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Ya'akov."

I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Commentary

Isaiah 49:26 presents a powerful declaration of divine justice and God's unwavering commitment to His people, Israel. Following promises of restoration and deliverance, this verse vividly describes the ultimate fate of those who have oppressed God's chosen.

Context

This verse is part of the second "Servant Song" in the Book of Isaiah (chapters 42, 49, 50, 52-53), which focuses on the Servant of the Lord, often understood as both the nation of Israel and, ultimately, the Messiah. Chapter 49 specifically addresses Israel's restoration after a period of exile and suffering, assuring them that God has not forgotten them. The preceding verses (Isaiah 49:24-25) ask, "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?" and God responds with a resounding promise to deliver the captives and contend with those who contend with Israel. Verse 26 is the culmination of this promise, detailing the severe judgment awaiting their oppressors.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The graphic imagery of oppressors consuming their own flesh and being drunken with their own blood symbolizes extreme internal strife, self-destruction, or a complete reversal of fortune. It underscores God's absolute commitment to avenging His people and bringing justice to those who harm them.
  • God as Saviour and Redeemer: The core purpose of this judgment is not merely punishment but revelation. God declares, "all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer." This highlights His unique role as the one who delivers His people from bondage and restores them to their rightful place. The title "the mighty One of Jacob" emphasizes His covenant faithfulness and power, specifically tied to His relationship with Israel.
  • Universal Recognition of God's Sovereignty: The outcome of this divine intervention is that "all flesh shall know" the LORD. This implies a worldwide recognition of God's power and faithfulness, demonstrating His supremacy over all nations and false gods. This theme of God's glory being revealed through His actions is central to Isaiah's prophecies, as seen in Isaiah 45:23.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses vivid, almost hyperbolic, language to convey the severity of God's judgment. The phrases "feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh" and "drunken with their own blood" are prophetic metaphors for utter devastation and self-inflicted ruin, often used to depict internal collapse or overwhelming defeat. The Hebrew word for "Saviour" (Yasha') denotes one who delivers or rescues, while "Redeemer" (Ga'al) carries the connotation of a kinsman who buys back or liberates one from bondage, often by paying a price. This dual emphasis highlights God's comprehensive work of salvation for His people.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 49:26 offers a powerful message of assurance and hope. It reminds us that God is ultimately in control and that He will defend His people. While the imagery of judgment is severe, the underlying promise is one of divine protection and deliverance. When facing oppression or injustice, this verse encourages trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. It also serves as a solemn warning against harming God's children, reminding us that what is done to them is done to 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 9:20

    And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

  • Revelation 16:6

    For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

  • Isaiah 9:4

    For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

  • Isaiah 60:16

    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 41:14

    Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

  • Isaiah 41:20

    That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

  • Ezekiel 39:7

    So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not [let them] pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
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