Isaiah 41 14

Isaiah 41:14 kjv

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 41:14 nkjv

"Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:14 niv

Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:14 esv

Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:14 nlt

Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob,
don't be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you.
I am the LORD, your Redeemer.
I am the Holy One of Israel.'

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 14 Meaning

Isaiah 41:14 delivers a profound message of divine comfort and unwavering assurance to a disheartened Israel. Despite their perceived insignificance and vulnerability, described starkly as "worms," God forbids them to fear. He firmly declares Himself as their constant Helper and mighty Redeemer, emphasizing His identity as the transcendent yet intimately involved "Holy One of Israel." This verse underscores God's steadfast commitment to His covenant people, promising to rescue and restore them through His boundless power and perfect character.

Isaiah 41 14 Context

Isaiah 41:14 falls within a section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55, often called "Deutero-Isaiah") written primarily to console and give hope to the exiles of Judah in Babylon. The people of Israel were feeling abandoned, powerless, and insignificant amidst a powerful foreign empire, questioning God's faithfulness and their very identity as His chosen people. Earlier in chapter 41, God presents a cosmic lawsuit, challenging other nations and their idols, showcasing His incomparable power and sovereignty over history (Isa 41:1-4). He reminds Israel of His election and purpose for them (Isa 41:8-9), preceding verse 14 with commands not to fear, as He is with them, strengthening and helping them (Isa 41:10-13). This verse builds on that foundation, deepening the reassurance by starkly addressing their current perceived weakness while reaffirming His mighty role as their Redeemer and Holy God. It is a direct polemic against their despair and any temptation to look to impotent idols for help.

Isaiah 41 14 Word analysis

• Fear not (אַל תִּירָא - al tira'): A strong, direct negative command, signifying prohibition and reassurance. This phrase frequently appears when God addresses His people in moments of fear, uncertainty, or impending danger, acting as an antidote to anxiety and an affirmation of divine presence.
• you worm (תּוֹלַעַת - tola'at): A potent metaphor. Tola'at refers to a small, often insignificant, and vulnerable creature, specifically a worm or maggot. It vividly portrays Israel's self-perception during exile: utterly weak, trodden underfoot, without power, agency, or inherent worth in the eyes of their oppressors. It can also allude to the crimson or scarlet worm, whose body produced a valuable dye (like in scarlet fabric), paradoxically linking the despised creature with a source of value, a hint towards their eventual purpose in God's plan.
• Jacob (יַעֲקֹב - Ya'akov): Refers to the patriarch Jacob, symbolizing the entire nation of Israel. It emphasizes their ancestral covenant identity, but also recalls Jacob's own struggles, weakness, and dependence on God throughout his life, aligning with the "worm" imagery.
• you men of Israel (מְתֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - m'tey Yisra'el): This phrase further clarifies the addressee. M'tey is a rare plural form meaning "men," specifically connoting mortals or people, sometimes implying their frailty or susceptibility to death. This reinforces the image of vulnerability begun with "worm Jacob," emphasizing that it's the weak, mortal people of God who are being addressed, not just an abstract national entity.
• I am the one who helps you (אֲנִי עֲזַרְתִּיךְ - ani azarticha): A direct, personal divine declaration. The "I am" emphasizes God's sovereign self-existence and capability. The verb azar (to help) in a participial form emphasizes His ongoing and active role as their sustainer.
• declares the Lord (נְאֻם יְהוָה - ne'um Yahweh): A classic prophetic formula used to introduce or conclude a direct divine utterance. It underscores the authoritative and certain nature of the statement, stamping it with God's absolute truth and reliability. Yahweh is God's covenant name.
• your Redeemer (גֹאֲלֶךְ - go'alék): Go'el refers to the kinship redeemer, a kinsman responsible for defending family honor, property, and freedom. This role included buying back enslaved relatives, avenging blood, or performing a levirate marriage. This term highlights God's intimate covenant relationship with Israel, taking on the role of their closest relative who is obligated and empowered to rescue them from bondage (Babylonian exile), distress, and insignificance.
• is the Holy One of Israel (קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל - K'dosh Yisra'el): A title particularly prevalent in Isaiah. It signifies God's absolute transcendence, moral purity, and unique set-apartness, contrasting sharply with the defilement and impotence of idols. His holiness implies His unchallengeable power, righteousness, and steadfast faithfulness, ensuring that He can and will fulfill His role as Redeemer for His special people.

Isaiah 41 14 Bonus section

The specific choice of the Hebrew word tola'at for "worm" adds a layer of depth. While it primarily conveys insignificance here, in other biblical contexts, the tola'at shani (scarlet worm or crimson worm) was used to produce a valuable and permanent dye for sacred tabernacle textiles and priestly garments (e.g., Exod 25:4). This seemingly despised creature, when crushed, yielded a vibrant color associated with royalty, sacrifice, and redemption. Though not directly stated, the potential double-entendre in "worm Jacob" subtly foreshadows how even in their brokenness and humiliation, Israel would be divinely repurposed for a sacred and significant role, their perceived lowliness giving way to God's glorious redemptive design. It speaks to a divine condescension where God lifts up the lowly not just despite their status, but sometimes through it.

Isaiah 41 14 Commentary

Isaiah 41:14 stands as a profound declaration of God's unfathomable grace and power to redeem. Addressing His people as a despised "worm" underscores their deepest feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness during exile, making His subsequent promise of help all the more astonishing. The paradox lies in God choosing such an insignificant entity to be His covenant partner, demonstrating that His saving work is not dependent on human strength or merit but solely on His character. As their Go'el (Redeemer), He asserts His kinship, obligation, and ultimate power to act on their behalf, a stark contrast to the pagan gods powerless to help their devotees. Furthermore, identifying Himself as the "Holy One of Israel" affirms His ethical perfection, ensuring His redemptive acts are righteous and faithful to His covenant promises, while simultaneously highlighting His majestic, incomparable nature over any worldly power or false deity. The verse thus offers not mere consolation but a profound reorientation of identity and destiny for His people, rooted in the steadfast love and power of their unique God.

• Example for practical usage: When feeling completely overwhelmed and insignificant by life's trials (like a "worm" crushed underfoot), remember God's explicit command "Fear not."
• Example for practical usage: When doubted by others or when own confidence falters, remember that God, the all-powerful "Holy One," identifies Himself as your "Helper" and "Redeemer."