Isaiah 49:3

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

And said {H559} unto me, Thou art my servant {H5650}, O Israel {H3478}, in whom I will be glorified {H6286}.

He said to me, "You are my servant, Isra'el, through whom I will show my glory."

He said to Me, โ€œYou are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.โ€

and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Commentary

Isaiah 49:3 is a pivotal verse within the "Servant Songs" of the prophet Isaiah, revealing God's specific declaration concerning His chosen servant.

Context

This verse is part of the second of four major "Servant Songs" found in the book of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often referred to as Deutero-Isaiah. This section of Isaiah focuses on themes of comfort, restoration, and God's plan for His people after the Babylonian exile. The identity of the "servant" in these passages is multifaceted, often referring to the nation of Israel as a whole, called to be a light to the Gentiles, but also pointing prophetically to an individual, the Messiah, who would perfectly embody this servant role. In Isaiah 49:1-7, the servant speaks of his divine calling and commission.

Key Themes

  • The Servant's Identity: "O Israel": The direct address "O Israel" initially suggests the nation as God's chosen servant, called to reflect His character and purpose to the world. However, given the broader context of the Servant Songs, which also depict the servant suffering for the nation's sins and being rejected by them (see Isaiah 53 for the suffering servant), many theologians interpret "Israel" here not just as the corporate nation, but as the ideal, righteous remnant of Israel, or ultimately, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills Israel's calling. He is the true Israelite, the one in whom God's purpose for the nation is perfectly realized.
  • Divine Election and Purpose: God explicitly states, "Thou art my servant." This highlights a divine choosing and commissioning. The servant's identity and mission are not self-determined but divinely ordained. This echoes God's original covenant with Abraham and the calling of the nation of Israel.
  • God's Glory as the Outcome: The ultimate purpose of the servant's existence and work is for God to "be glorified." This means that through the servant's obedience, faithfulness, and mission, God's character, power, and redemptive plan would be revealed and honored. For the nation Israel, this meant being a testament to God's faithfulness; for the Messiah, it meant perfectly revealing the Father's glory through His life, death, and resurrection, as seen in John 17:4 where Jesus says, "I have glorified thee on the earth".

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "servant" is 'eved (ืขึถื‘ึถื“), which denotes someone who serves or is enslaved, but in a theological context, it often signifies a person dedicated to God's will and purposes. To be called God's 'eved was a title of honor and intimate relationship, implying trust and obedience. The phrase "I will be glorified" comes from the Hebrew verb pa'ar (ืคึผึธืึทืจ), meaning to beautify, adorn, or show splendor. It implies that God will display His magnificence and honor through the actions and character of His servant, making His glory evident to all.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 49:3 holds profound significance. While Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect Servant in whom God is fully glorified, this verse also speaks to the calling of every Christian. As followers of Christ, we are called to be God's servants, living lives that bring glory to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our purpose is not self-exaltation but to reflect God's character and participate in His redemptive plan. Through our obedience, love, and service, we become instruments through whom God's splendor is revealed to a world in need of His light.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 42:1

    ยถ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Isaiah 44:23

    Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

  • Isaiah 52:13

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

  • Zechariah 3:8

    ยถ Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

  • John 17:1

    ยถ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

  • John 17:4

    I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
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