Isaiah 41 17

Isaiah 41:17 kjv

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Isaiah 41:17 nkjv

"The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Isaiah 41:17 niv

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Isaiah 41:17 esv

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Isaiah 41:17 nlt

"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none,
and their tongues are parched from thirst,
then I, the LORD, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 17 Meaning

Isaiah 41:17 proclaims God's deep compassion and active intervention for His people, represented as the poor and needy. It illustrates their utter desperation, characterized by an unquenchable thirst in a barren land, symbolizing both physical lack and spiritual distress. In response to this profound helplessness, the verse assures an immediate and personal divine response, affirming God's unwavering faithfulness as the Lord and God of Israel who will never abandon His own.

Isaiah 41 17 Context

Isaiah chapter 41 is a significant portion of the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55), addressing the exiled people of Judah. Historically, the audience faced the harsh realities of Babylonian captivity, feeling abandoned by their God and overwhelmed by their oppressors. Literarily, the chapter opens with God calling the nations to debate His sovereignty, showcasing His absolute control over history and His unparalleled power compared to their impotent idols (verses 1-7). God then turns specifically to Israel, reassuring them with strong exhortations not to fear, as He is with them and will strengthen, help, and uphold them (verses 8-10). He promises to utterly humble their adversaries, making Israel a victorious threshing sledge against their enemies (verses 11-16). Verse 17 directly follows these powerful reassurances, but it pivots to address the internal vulnerability and physical/spiritual destitution of Israel. Despite the promised triumph over foes, the people themselves are in desperate need. This setup underscores God's personal attention to His people's core needs, providing sustenance where there is none, before concluding the chapter by further demonstrating the futility of idols against the living God (verses 21-29).

Isaiah 41 17 Word analysis

• The poor (עֲנִיִּים - 'aniyyim): Refers to the humble, afflicted, or oppressed. It signifies not just economic destitution but often includes those who are downtrodden and spiritually dependent on God due to their circumstances. It highlights a state of deep distress and vulnerability, aligning them with those whom God actively helps.
• and needy (אֶבְיוֹנִים - 'evyonim): Denotes the truly destitute, those utterly without resources or support. Often paired with 'aniyyim, it amplifies the sense of helplessness and complete dependence, reinforcing the idea of individuals who have no other recourse but God.
• seek (מְבַקְשִׁים - mevqashim): Implies an active and earnest search, a diligent seeking, indicating a profound and desperate effort to find relief. This is not passive waiting but an intense longing for salvation from their dire situation.
• water (מַיִם - mayim): Primarily refers to literal water, essential for survival. Metaphorically, it represents life-giving sustenance, spiritual renewal, wisdom, God's presence, and salvation. In the desert context of the exiles, it speaks of immediate and crucial provision.
• but there is none (אַיִן - 'ayin): Signifies absolute non-existence or lack. It underscores the utter despair of the situation, where all natural or human sources of relief are completely absent.
• their tongue (לְשׁוֹנָם - leshonam): Refers to the physical organ, but also indicative of their inability to speak effectively due to extreme physical distress, a profound symptom of severe dehydration and near collapse.
• is parched (נָשְׁתָה - nashetah): To dry up, wither, or be utterly parched. This verb conveys an intense, painful drying out, depicting extreme physical suffering and desperation.
• with thirst (בַצָּמָא - ba-tsama): Denotes a strong, urgent craving, both physical for water and by extension, spiritual for God's presence and deliverance. It illustrates the intensity of their longing and suffering.
• I the LORD (אֲנִי יְהוָה - 'ani YHWH): A solemn divine self-declaration. 'Anokhi' ("I") emphasizes God's personal, direct involvement. YHWH (Yahweh) refers to the covenant-keeping, eternal, self-existent God of Israel, highlighting His unchanging character and omnipotence. This statement affirms the absolute authority and trustworthiness of the source of the promise.
• will answer them (אֶעֱנֵם - e'eneem): From the root 'anah', meaning to answer or respond. Here, it implies an affirmative and effective response to their cry and need, a divine intervention that provides a solution to their distress.
• I, the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Elohei Yisrael): Reaffirms God's specific, intimate covenant relationship with His chosen people, Israel. It emphasizes His commitment, loyalty, and particular concern for their well-being, reiterating that this is not a general promise but one rooted in a special bond.
• will not forsake them (לֹא אֶעֶזְבֵם - lo 'e'ezvem): A strong declaration of never abandoning, deserting, or leaving them helpless. This negates the deepest fears of the exiles and assures a constant, sustaining presence and protection, affirming His enduring faithfulness.

Isaiah 41 17 Bonus section

The Hebrew wordplay surrounding 'anah' (עָנָה) in this context is significant. While 'e'eneem' (אֶעֱנֵם) here means "I will answer them," the root 'anah' can also mean "to humble" or "to afflict." The 'aniyyim' (poor/afflicted) are those who are humbled/afflicted. Thus, the God who sees the affliction ('anah') of His 'aniyyim' (afflicted ones) is the very one who 'anah' (answers) their cries. This nuanced connection highlights God's profound empathy and responsive nature to His suffering people, as His answering their need directly counteracts their affliction.

This passage, deeply rooted in the historical experience of the exiled Israelites, foreshadows the New Testament concept of spiritual poverty and the "living water" offered by Jesus. The literal thirst in the desert finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in Christ, who invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink (Jn 7:37-38). The desperate cry of the poor and needy echoes the 'poor in spirit' (Mt 5:3) who are blessed because they recognize their total dependence on God. Therefore, this verse is a testament to God's enduring nature as the provider and comforter, relevant for all generations who face similar spiritual or material destitution.

Isaiah 41 17 Commentary

Isaiah 41:17 unveils a powerful divine response to the raw human condition of utter helplessness and despondency. It begins with a vivid depiction of physical extremity – the poor and needy, literally desperate for water, yet finding none, their tongues excruciatingly parched by thirst. This image extends beyond mere physical deprivation; it encapsulates the spiritual aridity, profound sense of abandonment, and existential crisis faced by a people in exile, symbolizing the universal human experience of reaching the absolute end of one's own resources. It's a portrayal of a situation where life itself hangs in the balance, both physically and spiritually.

In the face of this overwhelming need, God intervenes with a profound declaration of His character and unwavering commitment. The emphasis is on "I the LORD" (YHWH) and "I, the God of Israel." This direct, personal identification underscores that the promise is not generic, but stems from the covenant-keeping, sovereign, and intensely relational God. His response is not delayed; He "will answer them" – a promise of immediate, effectual intervention that alleviates their specific, agonizing need. Furthermore, the absolute assurance, "will not forsake them," shatters any doubt of divine abandonment, offering a bedrock of security in the midst of extreme vulnerability. This verse showcases God's particular tenderness and provision for those who, stripped of all self-sufficiency, become utterly dependent on Him, turning their desert of despair into a wellspring of hope and life, demonstrating His ability to bring abundance out of barrenness and satisfy the deepest spiritual thirst.