Isaiah 49:8

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, In an acceptable {H7522} time {H6256} have I heard {H6030} thee, and in a day {H3117} of salvation {H3444} have I helped {H5826} thee: and I will preserve {H5341} thee, and give {H5414} thee for a covenant {H1285} of the people {H5971}, to establish {H6965} the earth {H776}, to cause to inherit {H5157} the desolate {H8074} heritages {H5159};

Here is what ADONAI says: "At the time when I choose, I will answer you; on the day of salvation, I will help you. I have preserved you, and I have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land and distribute again its ruined inheritances to their owners,

This is what the LORD says: โ€œIn the time of favor I will answer You, and in the day of salvation I will help You; I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to apportion its desolate inheritances,

Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages;

Commentary

Isaiah 49:8 is a profound prophetic declaration within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, offering a message of hope, divine intervention, and the crucial role of God's chosen Servant. It speaks to a divinely appointed time for salvation and the Servant's mission to restore and establish a covenant for all people.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's second Servant Song (Isaiah 49:1-13), following the first in Isaiah 42:1-9. While the Servant can sometimes refer to Israel, in these specific songs, the Servant often transcends the nation, pointing prophetically to an individual who will fulfill God's redemptive plan. The preceding verses in chapter 49 highlight the Servant's call from birth and his mission to bring Israel back to God, and notably, to be a "light to the Gentiles," extending salvation beyond Israel. Verse 8 marks a pivotal moment where the LORD affirms His commitment to the Servant's mission, promising help and success.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Favor: The phrases "in an acceptable time" and "in a day of salvation" emphasize God's perfect timing for His redemptive work. This isn't a humanly chosen moment, but one ordained by the LORD, ensuring its ultimate success.
  • God's Unfailing Help and Preservation: The LORD promises, "I have heard thee, and... I have helped thee: and I will preserve thee." This assurance highlights God's active involvement and unwavering support for His Servant, guaranteeing protection and enablement for the task ahead.
  • The Servant as a Covenant for the People: The most significant aspect is the declaration, "and give thee for a covenant of the people." This points to the Servant (understood messianically as Jesus Christ) not just bringing a covenant, but embodying it. He is the very means by which God's promises are fulfilled, establishing a new covenant relationship between God and humanity.
  • Universal Restoration and Inheritance: The Servant's mission extends to "establish the earth" and "cause to inherit the desolate heritages." This signifies a comprehensive restoration, not just of Israel, but of the entire world, bringing order, justice, and renewed possession to those who were previously dispossessed or living in spiritual desolation. This speaks to the far-reaching impact of the Servant's work, leading to a new creation and spiritual inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "acceptable time" is `'et ratson` (ืขึตืช ืจึธืฆื•ึนืŸ), meaning "time of favor" or "time of goodwill." It denotes a season specially marked by divine grace and opportunity. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians 6:2, which quotes this very verse in reference to the present age of salvation through Christ.
  • "Day of salvation" (`yom yeshu'ah` - ื™ื•ึนื ื™ึฐืฉืื•ึผืขึธื”) signifies a day of deliverance, help, or victory. It's a specific period when God's saving power is manifested.
  • "Covenant of the people" (`b'rit 'am` - ื‘ึผึฐืจึดื™ืช ืขึธื) highlights that the Servant himself acts as the embodiment and mediator of the covenant, making God's promises accessible to all, not just Israel.

Practical Application

Isaiah 49:8 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God operates on His perfect timeline; His "acceptable time" for our salvation has come through Jesus Christ. We are living in the "day of salvation" where God's help and preservation are available. This verse also underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive planโ€”the Servant's work is for "the people," extending grace and restoration to all who believe. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign timing and to participate in His ongoing work of establishing His kingdom and bringing spiritual inheritance to those who are spiritually desolate, reflecting the mission of the Servant in our own lives.

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

  • 2 Corinthians 6:2

    (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

  • 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;

  • Psalms 69:13

    ยถ But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

  • Isaiah 61:4

    ยถ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

  • Hebrews 12:24

    And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

  • Isaiah 58:12

    And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

  • Hebrews 5:7

    Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
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