Isaiah 43 3

Isaiah 43:3 kjv

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Isaiah 43:3 nkjv

For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Isaiah 43:3 niv

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.

Isaiah 43:3 esv

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Isaiah 43:3 nlt

For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Isaiah 43 verses

Isaiah 43 3 Meaning

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.

Isaiah 43 3 Context

Isaiah chapter 43 is a powerful message of assurance and redemption directed towards Israel. God declares His enduring love and commitment to His people, promising to deliver them from future oppressions and to restore them. This specific verse follows a declaration of God's ownership and care, emphasizing that His presence is their ultimate security. Historically, this passage likely spoke to the exiles in Babylon, assuring them that God would not abandon them and would bring them back to their land. The "ransom" imagery highlights God's willingness to make extraordinary sacrifices for their sake, emphasizing the high value He places on them.

Isaiah 43 3 Word Analysis

• For (Hebrew: כי, ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or basis for the preceding statement.
• I (Hebrew: אֲנִי, 'ani): A simple personal pronoun, emphasizing the speaker as the Lord Himself.
• am (implied verb): The structure connects "I" with the following declarations.
• the (definite article): Common in Hebrew, specifying the nouns.
• LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and relationship with His people.
• your (Hebrew: אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 'elōheykā): Possessive pronoun, indicating God's relationship to the recipient.
• God (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, 'elōhim): A plural form of God, often used for the LORD, signifying majesty and sovereignty.
• , comma: Indicates a pause and separation of distinct but related declarations.
• the (definite article):
• Holy (Hebrew: קָדוֹשׁ, qā·ḏōš): Denotes separation, sacredness, and absolute moral purity.
• One (Hebrew: יָחִיד, yā·ḥîḏ): Refers to singularity, uniqueness, emphasizing God's distinctiveness.
• of (implied preposition):
• Israel (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yis·ra·'el): The covenant name of God's people, signifying the nation He chose.
• , comma:
• your (Hebrew: מוֹשִׁיעֶךָ, mō·w·šī·‘·ḵā): Possessive pronoun linking the savior to the recipient.
• Savior (Hebrew: מוֹשִׁיעַ, mō·w·šī·‘a): One who delivers from danger or destruction.
• . period:
• I (Hebrew: אֲנִי, 'ani):
• give (Hebrew: נָתַתִּי, nā·ṯat·tî): Past tense verb indicating a completed or certain action of giving.
• Egypt (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם, Mī·ṣrā·yim): Refers to Egypt, a nation significant in Israel's history of oppression and deliverance.
• as (Hebrew: שְׁלָל, šə·lāl): Means "spoil," "prey," or "ransom."
• your (Hebrew: שְׁלָלֶךָ, šə·lā·lê·ḵā): Possessive pronoun, linking the spoil to the recipient.
• ransom (Hebrew: שְׁלָל, šə·lāl): Same word as "spoil" or "prey," meaning something given to secure the release of someone or something else.
• , comma:
• Cush (Hebrew: כּוּשׁ, Kūš): Refers to Nubia or Ethiopia, a powerful ancient kingdom.
• and (Hebrew: וְ, wə): Conjunction connecting Cush and Seba.
• Seba (Hebrew: סְבָא, Sə·ḇā): Likely a part of the ancient kingdom of Kush.
• in (Hebrew: תַּחְתֶּיךָ, ṯaḥ·tê·ḵā): Means "instead of you," "in your place."
• your (Hebrew: תַּחְתֶּיךָ, ṯaḥ·tê·ḵā): Possessive pronoun indicating replacement.
• place (Hebrew: תַּחְתֶּיךָ, ṯaḥ·tê·ḵā): Means "in your stead" or "for your sake."

Group Analysis:

• "I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." This is a self-identification that establishes God's absolute sovereignty, unique holiness, covenant relationship, and His role as deliverer. The emphasis is on His intrinsic nature and His action on behalf of Israel.
• "I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place." This phrase conveys God's willingness to substitute other nations for Israel in a destructive event, signifying the immense value He places on His people. It's a divine declaration that He will expend great resources or bear significant loss to ensure Israel's preservation.

Isaiah 43 3 Bonus Section

The concept of "ransom" (Hebrew: šə·lāl) here speaks of God's complete provision and protection. In ancient warfare, the spoils of war (šə·lāl) were what a victor gained. God declares He will "give" these spoils as a ransom for Israel, meaning other nations will be subdued or devastated so that Israel may be preserved. This concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate ransom for humanity, giving His life as a sacrifice for the redemption of believers. The mention of Egypt and the African kingdoms (Cush and Seba) highlights that God’s saving power extends even to overcoming the greatest worldly powers in behalf of His chosen people. It emphasizes that no enemy, no matter how mighty, can ultimately stand against God's redemptive plan for those He loves.

Isaiah 43 3 Commentary

This verse reveals the heart of God towards His people. He establishes His identity first: He is the eternal, covenant-keeping God, possessing absolute holiness and functioning as their unique Savior. The promise that follows is extraordinary – He will give nations as a ransom for Israel. This implies that a great price will be paid, or a significant sacrifice made, to secure Israel's freedom and safety. The mention of Egypt, Cush, and Seba points to powerful nations, underscoring the immense value God places on His people, to the extent that He would forfeit these kingdoms to save them. This isn't a literal exchange of territories, but a profound assurance of divine intervention and protection that prioritizes Israel's welfare above all else. It’s a testament to God’s unwavering love and His power to overcome any threat.

Practical Application:

• When facing difficult circumstances, remember God's declared identity as your Savior.
• Trust that God values you immensely, even more than kingdoms, and will work for your deliverance.
• Find security not in earthly powers, but in the holy and eternal God.