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 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 41:10 | "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." | God's presence and help directly paralleling the theme. |
| Psa 22:6 | "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people." | Messiah's humility and suffering. |
| Job 25:6 | "how much less man, who is like a maggot, and the son of man, who is like a worm!" | Humility and frailty of humanity. |
| Micah 6:7 | "Does the Lord take pleasure in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" | God's rejection of superficial worship, implying a need for deeper identity. |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | Fulfillment of God's presence among His people. |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." | Dependency on Christ for fruitfulness and strength. |
| Rom 8:32 | "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" | God's ultimate act of love as the basis for His help. |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." | God's creation and purpose for believers. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." | Christ as the source of strength. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | "knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." | Christ as Redeemer, using "precious blood." |
| Rev 5:9 | "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" | Universal redemption through Christ's blood. |
| Lev 11:44 | "For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy because I am holy." | God's holiness as a standard and His people’s identity. |
| Isa 43:1 | "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" | Reinforces God's ownership and redemption of Israel. |
| Isa 44:2 | "Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob my servant, O chosen one, whom I have made.'" | God's formative power and assurance of help. |
| Psa 71:3 | "Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress." | God as refuge and protector. |
| Isa 41:17 | "The weak and the needy seek water, but there are none, and their tongue is thirsted for; I am the Lord, I will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them." | God's compassion for the needy and promise of provision. |
| Isa 60:21 | "Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." | God's people as His work and planting. |
| Acts 10:34 | "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.'" | God's impartiality, extending His grace to all who fear Him. |
| 2 Cor 12:9 | "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." | Divine power manifested in human weakness. |
| Zech 10:12 | "I will strengthen them in the Lord, and in his name they shall walk, declares the Lord." | The Lord as the source of strength. |
| Rom 9:20 | "Rather than that, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?'" | The potter and clay imagery, highlighting divine sovereignty and purpose. |
Isaiah 41 verses
Isaiah 41 14 Meaning
You are worm, O Jacob, you remnant of Israel; I am the One who helps you. I, the Lord, am your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 41 14 Context
This verse is found in Isaiah chapter 41, a section of the prophecy that focuses on God's confrontation with the Gentile nations and His reassurance to Israel. The context is God speaking directly to His people, addressing them in their weakness and distress, particularly as they faced exilic circumstances and the power of pagan empires. God is contrasting His own mighty power and faithful action with the impotence of the idols worshipped by the nations, whom Israel was tempted to rely upon or fear. He establishes His unique role as their helper and redeemer, thereby strengthening their faith and asserting His sovereign dominion.
Isaiah 41 14 Word Analysis
- Be (Hebrew: הֱיֵה - heyê)
- Imperative form of the verb "to be" or "to become."
- Used here to assert a present reality or identity.
- a (Hebrew: אֵיתַי - ētay / כִּי - ki used adversatively with "but")
- Implies "like" or "as," suggesting a simile rather than an actual state of being a worm.
- worm (Hebrew: תּוֹלַע - tolah)
- Refers to a maggot or a grub.
- In ancient Near Eastern culture, this could symbolize something insignificant, weak, powerless, or contemptible. It can also refer to the scarlet worm used for dye, signifying fragility.
- O Jacob (Hebrew: יַעֲקֹב - Ya‘aqov)
- Refers to the patriarch Jacob, symbolizing the nation of Israel descended from him.
- The "O" is a vocative, indicating direct address.
- you (Hebrew: אַתָּה - ’attāh)
- Second person masculine singular pronoun, referring to Jacob/Israel.
- a (Hebrew: וְ / אֵת - wə / ’et)
- Can be conjunctive or an object marker. Here it connects to the next phrase.
- remnant (Hebrew: שְׁאֵרִית - šə’êriyt)
- Implies a small surviving portion of a larger group that has suffered loss or scattering.
- Signifies those who are left after judgment or distress.
- of Israel (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yiśrā’ēl)
- Another name for Jacob and his descendants, representing the covenant people of God.
- I (Hebrew: אָנֹכִ֥י - ’ānōḵî)
- First person masculine singular pronoun, strongly asserting God's presence and identity.
- am (Hebrew: אֲנִי - ’ăniy)
- The verb "to be," affirming God's constant nature.
- the One (Hebrew: הָ֠– — hā)
- The definite article "the," emphasizing God's unique and singular nature.
- helping (Hebrew: עֹזֵר - ‘ōzēr)
- Active participle of the verb "to help" or "to succor."
- Denotes God's ongoing, active assistance.
- you (Hebrew: לְךָ - ləḵā)
- Second person masculine singular pronoun, direct object of God's help.
- I, the Lord (Hebrew: אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֣ה - ’ănî Yahweh)
- Reinforces God's self-identification by His covenant name, Yahweh.
- The comma implies a close connection, a self-definition.
- am (Hebrew: -)
- Implied verb of being.
- your Redeemer (Hebrew: גֹּאֶלְךָ - gō’lɛḵā)
- From the root גָּאַל (ga’al), meaning "to redeem," "to buy back," "to act as kinsman-redeemer."
- Highlights God's covenant responsibility to liberate and restore His people.
- the Holy One (Hebrew: קְדֹשִׁ֧— qədoš)
- The definite article is implied. Refers to God's essential holiness, His absolute separation from sin and uniqueness.
- of Israel (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yiśrā’ēl)
- Further qualifies "Holy One" as the Holy One specifically related to and known by Israel.
Words Group Analysis:
- "you are a worm, O Jacob, you remnant of Israel": This phrase paints a vivid picture of Israel's perceived weakness, insignificance, and brokenness from a human perspective, emphasizing their diminished state. The combination of "Jacob" and "Israel" underscores their identity as God's covenant people, despite their current condition. "Remnant" highlights that many have been lost, emphasizing the vulnerability of those who remain.
- "I am the One helping you": This immediately counters Israel's low self-assessment with God's powerful affirmation. The use of the active participle "helping" suggests God's continuous and present action on their behalf, not merely a past or future promise.
- "I, the Lord, am your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel": Here, God elevates Himself and, by association, His relationship with Israel. Identifying as "Yahweh" invokes His covenant faithfulness. "Redeemer" speaks of active deliverance and restoration, recalling the exodus from Egypt. "Holy One of Israel" highlights His supreme character and His specific, dedicated relationship with His people, ensuring His unique, powerful intervention.
Isaiah 41 14 Bonus Section
The concept of Israel as a "worm" also appears in Job 25:6, where man is likened to a maggot or worm in his corruptibility and lowliness before God. This verse in Isaiah, however, is distinctly redemptive in tone. Unlike the purely descriptive use in Job, Isaiah frames this vulnerability as the condition for God's intervention. God's response highlights His love for the unlovely and His power to uplift the downtrodden. Furthermore, the dual identification of Jacob and Israel signifies that God's relationship is both personal (Jacob, the individual ancestor) and corporate (Israel, the nation), and His promise applies to both the collective people and individuals within it. The emphasis on God's willingness to help and redeem, even a seemingly negligible remnant, points towards the theme of God's election and salvation of a chosen few who will experience His full covenantal blessings. This chapter and verse can be seen as a prelude to the Messianic prophecies where Christ himself is referred to as despised and rejected.
Isaiah 41 14 Commentary
This verse is a powerful declaration of divine grace and faithfulness amidst human frailty. God, addressing His people who feel insignificant, weak, and reduced in number ("worm," "remnant"), asserts His own mighty identity as their helper, redeemer, and holy one. The contrast between Israel's perceived worthlessness and God's absolute power and dedicated commitment is central. The imagery of Israel as a "worm" evokes humility, vulnerability, and even scorn from the world, mirroring the suffering servant theme later revealed in the Scriptures. Yet, God's response is not to condemn their weakness but to embrace them. He calls Himself their "Redeemer" (Hebrew: go'el), a title that signifies familial responsibility, buying back, and deliverance. This "Redeemer" is also the "Holy One of Israel," underscoring His separate, perfect nature and His covenant bond with His people. Through His unchangeable holiness and faithfulness, He promises to act decisively for their rescue and restoration, demonstrating that His strength is made perfect in their weakness. This verse foreshadows the ultimate redemption brought by Jesus Christ, who, though initially appearing as a vulnerable human "worm" (Psa 22:6), is in fact God Himself, the Redeemer who delivers all who call upon Him.
- When facing personal weakness or feeling insignificant, remember God's perspective is different. He sees the "worm" as His "remnant" and promises His "help."
- Understanding God as "Redeemer" means He has a divine right and covenant duty to save and restore His people, even from the most desperate situations.
- This promise is rooted in God's unchanging "Holiness," His perfect nature that desires His people to be delivered and made like Him.