Isaiah 51:2

KJV

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Look {H5027} unto Abraham {H85} your father {H1}, and unto Sarah {H8283} that bare {H2342} you: for I called {H7121} him alone {H259}, and blessed {H1288} him, and increased {H7235} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

consider Avraham your father and Sarah, who gave birth to you; in that I called him when he was only one person, then blessed him and made him many.

Berean Standard Bible

Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.

American Standard Version

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:2 serves as a profound divine summons to a discouraged Israel, urging them to recall their humble origins and the miraculous work of God in their foundational history. By directing their gaze to Abraham and Sarah, God reminds His people that their entire nation sprang from a solitary, aged, and barren couple, demonstrating His sovereign power to call, bless, and multiply from nothing, thereby instilling hope and confidence in His unfailing promises even in times of seeming impossibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, or those facing similar despair and questioning God's faithfulness. Following the prophetic pronouncements of judgment and restoration, chapters 40-48 emphasize God's incomparable power and sovereignty, while chapters 49-55 focus on the Servant of the Lord and the glorious future of Zion. Specifically, [Isaiah 51](/isaiah/51 "Isaiah 51 - Comfort for Zion") begins with a call to "listen" and "look" (v. 1), directing the people's attention away from their present distress to God's past acts of salvation and future promises. Verse 1 speaks of looking to the "rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged," a metaphorical reference to their origins. Verse 2 then clarifies this metaphor by explicitly naming Abraham and Sarah, providing a concrete historical example of God's ability to bring forth a multitude from a singular, seemingly unpromising source, thus setting the stage for the subsequent promises of comfort and restoration for Zion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience for this message was likely the Jewish exiles in Babylon, who had endured decades of captivity and witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. They felt abandoned, disenfranchised, and numerically insignificant, questioning how God's covenant promises to Abraham and David could still hold true. Their national identity and spiritual heritage were severely challenged. In this context, reminding them of Abraham and Sarah was not merely a historical anecdote but a powerful theological anchor. Abraham, a lone wanderer from Ur, and Sarah, a barren woman past childbearing age, represented the ultimate "nothing" from which God brought forth a great nation. This historical precedent underscored God's ability to act independently of human strength or favorable circumstances, offering a profound message of hope to a people who felt they had nothing left. The emphasis on "father" and "mother" also appealed to the deeply rooted tribal and familial identity prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, reinforcing their connection to a divinely chosen lineage.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 51:2 powerfully reinforces several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, emphasizing that God's plan for Israel originated not from human merit or existing strength, but from His unilateral call to Abraham when he was "alone." This echoes the initial call in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - God's Call to Abraham"), where God initiates the covenant. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Humble Beginnings and Miraculous Increase**, reminding the exiles that their vast nation began with one elderly, childless couple. God's ability to "bless and increased him" from such unlikely origins serves as a profound reassurance that He can restore and multiply His people again, even from a state of exile or desolation, fulfilling promises like those in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - Abraham's Descendants like the Stars"). Thirdly, it calls for **Remembering Spiritual Heritage and Covenant Faithfulness**. By urging them to "look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah," God compels His people to recall their spiritual roots and the unwavering covenant established with their ancestors. This heritage is a vital source of identity, hope, and confidence in God's enduring plan, providing a foundation for trust in future restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Look (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** This primitive root means "to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see." The imperative "Look" is not a casual glance but an earnest, focused contemplation. It implies a deliberate act of remembering and considering, urging the audience to internalize the significance of Abraham and Sarah's story as a source of divine truth and hope. It's an invitation to perceive God's past actions with understanding and faith.
* **Called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say." In this context, "I called him alone" signifies God's sovereign, initiating act. It emphasizes that Abraham's blessing and the subsequent formation of Israel were not a result of human initiative or merit, but entirely God's choice and summons. It speaks to divine election and the power of God's authoritative word.
* **Increased (Hebrew, _râbâh'_):** This primitive root means "to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance (-antly), be in authority, bring up, continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very." This word powerfully conveys the miraculous multiplication of Abraham's descendants from a single, barren source. It highlights God's ability to bring forth fruitfulness and abundance, fulfilling His promise to make Abraham the father of a multitude, even when humanly impossible. It is a testament to God's power to reverse barrenness and desolation into flourishing life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you":** This is an imperative command, urging the people to direct their attention and memory to their foundational patriarch and matriarch. "Abraham your father" and "Sarah that bare you" emphasize their direct lineage and the physical and spiritual heritage they inherited. It's a call to remember the very roots of their existence as a nation, a reminder that their identity is inextricably linked to God's initial, miraculous work through this couple.
* **"for I called him alone":** This clause provides the divine reason and justification for the command to look back. God Himself initiated the relationship with Abraham when he was "alone," signifying his solitary state, without a nation, land, or heir. This highlights God's sovereign choice and the fact that Abraham's blessing was entirely God's doing, not dependent on human strength or pre-existing conditions. It underscores the unilateral nature of God's covenant.
* **"and blessed him, and increased him":** This final clause details the outcome of God's calling. The blessing refers to the comprehensive favor and prosperity bestowed upon Abraham, encompassing spiritual, material, and familial aspects. The "increased him" specifically points to the miraculous multiplication of his descendants, fulfilling the promise that he would become the father of a multitude. This demonstrates God's power to bring forth greatness and abundance from the most unlikely and humble beginnings, providing a powerful precedent for His ability to restore and multiply the exiled nation.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:2 primarily employs **Allusion** and **Metaphor**. The verse is a direct allusion to the foundational narrative of Abraham and Sarah found in the book of Genesis, recalling their barrenness, God's promise, and the miraculous birth of Isaac, which led to the formation of the nation of Israel. This historical allusion serves as a powerful **Paradigm** or **Type**, presenting Abraham and Sarah as a model of God's ability to create something vast and significant from a solitary, seemingly impossible beginning. This serves as an **Analogy** for Israel's current situation in exile, suggesting that just as God brought a nation from one barren couple, He can restore a desolate nation. The preceding verse (Isaiah 51:1) uses the **Metaphor** of "rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged," which verse 2 then clarifies and concretizes by explicitly naming Abraham and Sarah, making them the living embodiment of that "rock" and "pit." This clarifies the abstract imagery with a concrete, deeply meaningful historical example, making the message of hope tangible and relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:2 powerfully reinforces the overarching biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly His ability to bring life and fruitfulness out of barrenness and desolation. It underscores that God's power is not limited by human weakness or natural impossibilities. The calling of Abraham "alone" highlights divine election and initiative, establishing that Israel's existence and future are rooted solely in God's sovereign choice and His unfailing word, rather than their own merit or strength. This foundational truth serves as a deep well of comfort and assurance for a people facing despair, reminding them that the same God who miraculously formed a nation from one old, childless couple can surely restore and multiply them again.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - God's Call and Promise to Abraham")
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18 "Romans 4:18-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise")
* [Hebrews 11:11-12](/hebrews/11-11 "Hebrews 11:11-12 - Sarah's Faith and the Multitude of Descendants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:2 offers profound spiritual encouragement for believers today, inviting us to find hope and strength in God's historical faithfulness. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, personal "barrenness" (whether spiritual, relational, or vocational), or feel like a small, insignificant minority in a hostile world, this verse calls us to "look" intently at God's past works. Just as He brought forth a mighty nation from Abraham and Sarah, a couple who were "as good as dead" (Hebrews 11:12), He can bring life, fruitfulness, and breakthrough from our most desolate circumstances. Our limitations do not limit God's power. Remembering God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our own lives, strengthens our faith for future challenges, reminding us that we are part of a grand, divine story of creation, redemption, and multiplication, initiated and sustained by an all-powerful, covenant-keeping God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "barren" or "alone" situations in your life or in the world today do you need to "look" at through the lens of God's power demonstrated with Abraham and Sarah?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your personal history, strengthen your trust in His ability to act in your present circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you embrace your spiritual lineage as a child of God, drawing identity and confidence from His unfailing love and power?**

### FAQ
**Why does God tell the people to "look unto Abraham and Sarah" specifically?**

Answer: God directs the exiles to Abraham and Sarah because they represent the ultimate example of His power to create something magnificent from nothing. At the time of God's call, Abraham was a lone individual, and both he and Sarah were elderly and barren, humanly incapable of producing an heir. Yet, God "called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him," miraculously bringing forth a great nation through them. This historical precedent serves as a powerful reminder to the discouraged exiles that God's ability to fulfill His promises is not dependent on human strength, numbers, or favorable circumstances, but solely on His sovereign power and faithfulness. It's a call to remember their roots and the miraculous foundation of their very existence as a people, instilling hope for their future restoration, even from their current state of desolation, much like the promise found in [Romans 4:19-21](/romans/4-19 "Romans 4:19-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the verse calls Israel to remember their physical progenitors, Abraham and Sarah, as a source of hope for national restoration, the New Testament reveals that true spiritual lineage and the ultimate "increase" come through faith in Christ. Abraham is called the "father of all who believe" (cf. [Romans 4:11](/romans/4-11 "Romans 4:11 - Abraham, Father of Believers")), and through Christ, Gentiles are grafted into the covenant promises made to Abraham (cf. [Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Gentile Inclusion")). Just as God "called him alone" and brought forth a multitude, so too did God send His "only begotten Son" (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and the Gift of His Son")), who, though seemingly alone in His sacrifice on the cross, became the source of spiritual life and multiplication for an innumerable host of believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue (cf. [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation")). Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham (cf. [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ as Abraham's Seed")), embodies God's power to bring life out of death, fruitfulness out of barrenness, and a vast spiritual family from one solitary, divinely chosen individual, establishing a new covenant that surpasses the old in glory and reach (cf. [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

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

Ezekiel 33:24

Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we [are] many; the land is given us for inheritance.

Galatians 3:9

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:14

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 4:1

¶ What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Genesis 18:11

Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Genesis 18:13

And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?