Isaiah 49:6

KJV

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, It is a light thing {H7043} that thou shouldest be my servant {H5650} to raise up {H6965} the tribes {H7626} of Jacob {H3290}, and to restore {H7725} the preserved {H5341}{H5336} of Israel {H3478}: I will also give {H5414} thee for a light {H216} to the Gentiles {H1471}, that thou mayest be my salvation {H3444} unto the end {H7097} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he has said, "It is not enough that you are merely my servant to raise up the tribes of Ya'akov and restore the offspring of Isra'el. I will also make you a light to the nations, so my salvation can spread to the ends of the earth."

Berean Standard Bible

He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

American Standard Version

yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 49:6 stands as a pivotal declaration within the Servant Songs, dramatically expanding the scope of the Servant's divine commission. Initially tasked with the seemingly monumental yet comparatively "light" work of restoring the scattered tribes of Jacob and the preserved remnant of Israel, the Servant is here appointed to a far grander, universal purpose. This verse proclaims that the Servant will also be given as a radiant light to the Gentiles, extending God's saving power and revelation to the farthest reaches of the earth, thereby underscoring the inclusive, global nature of God's redemptive plan that transcends all ethnic and national boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 49:6 is situated centrally within the second of Isaiah's four distinct "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, and 52:13-53:12). This particular song, commencing in [Isaiah 49:1](/isaiah/49-1 "Isaiah 49:1 - The Servant's Call and Mission"), presents the Servant speaking in the first person, recounting his pre-natal divine commissioning and unique relationship with God. The preceding verses establish the Servant's identity and his initial, seemingly exclusive, call to bring Jacob back to God and gather Israel. Verse 5 reiterates this covenantal faithfulness, but then verse 6 introduces a dramatic and profound expansion. The domestic mission to Israel is re-framed as a "light thing" (a small matter) when juxtaposed with the Servant's ultimate, universal role as a light to the nations. This pivotal shift sets the theological trajectory for the remainder of [Isaiah 49](/isaiah/49 "Isaiah 49 - The Servant of the Lord's Vindication and Universal Salvation"), which details the Servant's vindication and the ultimate ingathering of all peoples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah were delivered during a tumultuous and despairing period for the people of Judah, spanning the Assyrian threat and the subsequent Babylonian exile. The promise of restoration for "the tribes of Jacob" and "the preserved of Israel" (referring to the faithful remnant) would have resonated deeply as a message of hope and comfort for a people suffering under foreign domination, dispersion, and the threat of national annihilation. However, the revolutionary concept of God's salvation extending to the "Gentiles" (non-Israelite nations) was profoundly counter-cultural within the ancient Near East. In a world where each nation typically worshipped its own gods, the idea of the God of Israel being the universal God who would offer salvation to all humanity challenged the prevailing ethnocentric worldview and foreshadowed a new era where God's covenant blessings would not be confined to a single ethnic group but would embrace all humanity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **Servant's Universal Mission**, which dramatically expands the scope of God's redemptive work beyond the confines of Israel to encompass all nations. It profoundly highlights **God's Sovereign Plan**, demonstrating that His purposes are far grander and more inclusive than human expectations, moving from national restoration to global salvation. The interconnected themes of **Light and Salvation** are central, portraying the Servant as the source of spiritual illumination and deliverance for those dwelling in darkness. This echoes earlier prophetic promises in Isaiah, such as the promise of a great light for those walking in darkness found in [Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "Isaiah 9:2 - Light for those in darkness"), and anticipates the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the "light of the world" in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). Finally, the verse underscores **God's Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness**, as the restoration of Israel remains a foundational, though not the ultimate, part of His plan, serving as a vital stepping stone to a wider, inclusive redemption for all humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **light (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. In this context, the Servant is not merely a source of information but embodies divine revelation, truth, and the very presence of God's saving grace. This "light" dispels spiritual darkness, brings moral clarity, provides divine guidance, and ushers in an era of spiritual flourishing for those who were previously lost in ignorance and sin.
* **Gentiles (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. The inclusion of this term here is profoundly significant. It refers to the non-Israelite nations, often seen in the Old Testament as outside the direct covenant relationship. Its appearance in this prophecy signifies a radical expansion of God's redemptive plan, indicating that salvation is not exclusive to one ethnic group but is intended for all humanity, breaking down traditional barriers and extending the scope of God's saving work globally.
* **salvation (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** feminine passive participle of יָשַׁע; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity; deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare. This comprehensive term encompasses the full scope of God's saving work—rescue from sin, oppression, and death, leading to spiritual wholeness, well-being, and ultimate victory. The Servant is not merely a messenger who announces salvation but is, in his very being and work, God's divinely appointed instrument of this profound and far-reaching deliverance to the ends of the earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel:"** This opening clause reveals God's profound perspective on the Servant's initial, seemingly monumental, task. The phrase "it is a light thing" (or "too small a thing," "too trifling") does not diminish the intrinsic importance of restoring Israel. Rather, it functions as a rhetorical device to emphasize that this vital work, while foundational and necessary, is merely a preliminary step, a limited foundation for a far grander, universal purpose. The "raising up" and "restoring" of "the tribes of Jacob" and "the preserved of Israel" speak to both the physical re-gathering of the scattered exiles and the spiritual renewal of God's covenant people, bringing them back into proper relationship with Him.
* **"I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles,"** Here, the divine speaker (Yahweh) dramatically expands the Servant's commission beyond national boundaries. The Servant is not only purposed for Israel but is actively "given" (appointed, bestowed, consecrated) as a "light" to the "Gentiles" (the nations). This signifies a revelatory, illuminating, and transformative role, bringing divine truth, moral guidance, and the very presence of God's saving power to nations outside of the covenant people, dispelling their spiritual darkness and leading them into God's truth.
* **"that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."** This final clause articulates the ultimate scope and comprehensive purpose of the Servant's mission. The "light" is not an end in itself but a means to a glorious end: that the Servant embodies and extends God's "salvation" (deliverance, wholeness, victory) across the entire globe, reaching "unto the end of the earth." This declares a universal, comprehensive, and boundless redemptive work that transcends all geographical, ethnic, and cultural limitations, ensuring that God's saving power and liberating grace are accessible to all humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 49:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound and expansive message. **Hyperbole** is notably evident in the phrase "it is a light thing" (or "too small a thing"). This is not to minimize the importance of restoring Israel, but rather to rhetorically magnify the subsequent, even greater, mission to the Gentiles. This deliberate exaggeration underscores the immense and unexpected scope of God's redemptive plan. **Metaphor** is central to the verse, particularly in the description of the Servant as a "light to the Gentiles." Here, "light" symbolizes truth, divine revelation, moral guidance, and deliverance from spiritual darkness, vividly illustrating the Servant's illuminating and saving role in a world shrouded in ignorance and sin. Furthermore, the phrase "unto the end of the earth" is an example of **Merism**, a literary device that uses two contrasting or extreme parts (the beginning and end, or here, the furthest extent) to represent the whole. This emphasizes the comprehensive and universal reach of the Servant's salvation, signifying that God's redemptive work will literally encompass all peoples across the entire globe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 49:6 serves as a cornerstone prophecy that profoundly reshapes the biblical understanding of God's global redemptive purpose. It reveals that God's covenant with Israel, while unique and foundational, was never an end in itself, but rather a strategic means to ultimately bless all nations, demonstrating His universal love and sovereign desire for all humanity to come to know Him. The Servant's mission transcends narrow national boundaries, establishing a new and revolutionary paradigm where salvation is offered to Jew and Gentile alike. This verse lays crucial theological groundwork for the New Testament's emphasis on the inclusion of all peoples in God's family through faith, affirming that His saving power is not limited by human distinctions but extends to the uttermost parts of the world, inviting all to partake in His grace.

* [Isaiah 42:6](/isaiah/42-6 "Isaiah 42:6 - The Servant as a Covenant for the People and Light for the Gentiles")
* [Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy: A Light for Revelation to the Gentiles")
* [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Paul and Barnabas's Application of Isaiah 49:6")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 49:6 stands as a profound testament to the boundless nature of God's redemptive plan and His compassionate heart for all humanity. It calls believers today to embrace a truly global vision for the gospel, recognizing that God's salvation is intended for every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, not just our own. For the contemporary church, this verse challenges any ethnocentric or exclusive tendencies, urging us to actively participate in God's ongoing mission to the world. Just as the Servant was given as a light, so too are we, as followers of Christ, called to reflect that divine light into a world still shrouded in spiritual darkness, sharing the transformative message of salvation "unto the end of the earth." This prophecy instills immense hope, assuring us that no one is beyond the reach of God's saving grace and that His ultimate purpose is to draw all people to Himself, creating a redeemed community from every corner of the globe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dramatic expansion of the Servant's mission from solely Israel to the inclusion of the Gentiles challenge or broaden your understanding of God's redemptive plan for humanity?**
* **In what tangible ways can you, as an individual believer or as part of your faith community, embody the "light" and "salvation" of God to those around you, particularly those from different cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic backgrounds?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more global perspective on mission and prayer, aligning your heart and actions with God's desire for all peoples to know and worship Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "it is a light thing" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "it is a light thing" (Hebrew: *qâlal*) in Isaiah 49:6 does not imply that the restoration of Israel is insignificant or unimportant. Rather, it is a rhetorical device conveying that this vital task, while crucial and divinely ordained, is comparatively "too small" or "too trifling" in scope when measured against God's ultimate, grander purpose for the Servant. It serves to emphasize that God's redemptive plan extends far beyond the national restoration of Israel to encompass a universal mission of salvation for all peoples on earth. It highlights the immense scale of the subsequent commission to be a light to the Gentiles, showing God's magnanimous heart for all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 49:6 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel was called to be God's servant and a light to the nations, it often failed to live up to this high calling due to its own sin and idolatry. Jesus, however, is the perfect, obedient Servant of the Lord who perfectly embodies and fulfills this prophecy. He came first "to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel," thereby fulfilling the ancient covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants, as beautifully articulated in [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins") and [Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - Zechariah's Prophecy of Redemption for Israel"). Yet, His mission profoundly extended beyond Israel's national borders. As Simeon prophetically declared at Jesus' presentation in the temple, He is indeed "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" ([Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy about Jesus as a Light to the Gentiles")). Jesus Himself proclaimed, "I am the light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and His Great Commission to His disciples explicitly commands them to "go and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), echoing the universal scope of Isaiah's prophecy. The apostles, particularly Paul, clearly understood Isaiah 49:6 as a direct prophecy of Christ's universal saving work, applying it to their own ministry to the Gentiles in [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Acts 13:47 - Paul and Barnabas's Application of Isaiah 49:6"). Thus, Jesus is not merely a light *for* the Gentiles, but He *is* God's very salvation "unto the end of the earth," bringing deliverance, redemption, and life to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or national background, thereby perfectly fulfilling God's magnificent and all-encompassing plan revealed through the prophet Isaiah.

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

Acts 13:47

For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 42:6

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Luke 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Psalms 98:2

The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalms 98:3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.