Isaiah 44 2

Isaiah 44:2 kjv

Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:2 nkjv

Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:2 niv

This is what the LORD says? he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:2 esv

Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:2 nlt

The LORD who made you and helps you says:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
O dear Israel, my chosen one.

Isaiah 44 verses

Isaiah 44 2 Meaning

Isaiah 44:2 speaks of God’s promise to create a remnant of Israel, distinguishing them from the nations and affirming His ownership. It assures that those who are "thirsty" and "dry land" will be replenished by God's Spirit, receiving His blessings and favor.

Isaiah 44 2 Context

This verse is found within the latter half of Isaiah, often referred to as "Deutero-Isaiah," which shifts focus from judgment to comfort and restoration for the exiled people of Judah. Chapter 44 is part of a series of prophecies promising future deliverance and a renewed relationship with God. Specifically, this section addresses the post-exilic community and emphasizes God's unique relationship with Israel, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations and their idols. The surrounding verses highlight God's sovereignty and power in creation and salvation, contrasting it with the impotence of manufactured idols. This verse is a promise of divine renewal and a new spiritual outpouring for God's chosen people after their time of chastisement and scattering.

Isaiah 44 2 Word analysis

• "And" (וְ - wə): A conjunctive particle, linking this verse with the preceding statements about God's care and provision.
• "I" (אָנֹכִי - anōkhî): Emphatic personal pronoun, emphasizing God's direct action and personal involvement in this act of bestowal.
• "will pour" (שָׁפַךְ - shāp̄aḵ): From the root meaning to pour out, spill, or shed. It signifies an abundant, overflowing bestowal. This verb is often used for liquids like water or blood.
• "water" (מַיִם - mayim): The common Hebrew word for water. In this context, it represents spiritual refreshment, cleansing, and life-giving sustenance.
• "upon" (עַל - ʿal): Preposition indicating "on" or "upon."
• "the thirsty" (צָמֵא - ṣāmēʾ): Adjective meaning thirsty, parched, having a desire for drink. Metaphorically, it signifies a spiritual longing and need for God.
• "land" (אֶרֶץ - ’ereṣ): Earth, land, ground. It refers to the desolate or infertile state of the people or their land.
• "and" (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
• "streams" (נַחֲלִים - naḥălîm): Plural of נַחַל (naḥal), meaning river, torrent, valley, or stream. Implies flowing water in channels, indicating consistent and abundant supply.
• "upon" (עַל - ʿal): Preposition.
• "the dry" (חָרַב - ḥārāḇ): Root meaning to be dry, parched, desolate. Refers to a state of spiritual emptiness and unfruitfulness.
• "ground" (גֵּיאוֹת - gê’ôṯ): Plural of גיא (giʾ), meaning valley or plain. Denotes open or low-lying land, often vulnerable to drought.
• "I will pour" (שָׁפַךְ - shāp̄aḵ): Repeats the verb, emphasizing a second, parallel action.
• "my" (מִן - min): Indicates "from" or "of," suggesting an origin.
• "Spirit" (רוּחַ - rûaḥ): Wind, breath, Spirit. Here it signifies the Holy Spirit, the divine agent of God's presence, power, and renewal.
• "on" (עַל - ʿal): Preposition.
• "your" (בְּנֵי - bəné): Literally "sons of," implying offspring, descendants.
• "offspring" (זרַע - zeraʿ): Seed, offspring, descendants. The chosen people, the lineage of Abraham.
• "and" (וְ - wə): Conjunction.
• "my" (בִּרְכָתִי - birḵtî): My blessing. From בְּרָכָה (bərakāh), meaning blessing, prosperity, favor.
• "upon" (עַל - ʿal): Preposition.
• "your" (יְשִׁיבִים - yəšîḇîm): From a root referring to sitting or dwelling. Here it can be understood as "those who dwell" or more dynamically as "heirs" or "those who are restored" in the sense of "bringing back."
• "heirs" (literally "your inhabitants" / "those settled"): The Hebrew term ישיבים (yəšîḇîm) can be translated as "inhabitants" or "those who settle." However, in the context of a promise for descendants, it strongly implies those who will inherit and possess. This word choice suggests continuity and the inheritance of God's promises.
• "they" (הֵם - hēm): Plural pronoun.
• "shall spring up" (יַצְמַח - yaṣmaḥ): From the root צמח (ṣmḥ), meaning to sprout, grow, bud. Suggests rapid and vibrant growth.
• "among" (בֵּין - bên): Between, among.
• "the grass" (עֵשֶׂב - ʿēśeḇ): Herb, grass, vegetation.
• "as" (כְּ - kə): Like, as.
• "willows" (עֲרָבוֹת - ʿărāḇôṯ): Plural of עֲרָבָה (ʿărāḇāh), meaning willow tree. Willows are known to grow near water, signifying flourishing and abundance.
• "by" (אֵצֶל - ’êṣel): Beside, near.
• "flowing" (נַחֲלֵי - naḥălê): Plural of נַחַל (naḥal) in the construct state, meaning "streams of."
• "streams" (מָּיִם - mayim): Waters. Referring to flowing water sources.

Words-group analysis:

• The pairing of "thirsty land" and "dry ground" emphasizes the severity of the desolation, both literal and spiritual, to which God is bringing life.
• "Pour water" and "streams" highlight the abundance and flowing nature of God's provision.
• "Spirit" and "blessing" are the divine gifts bestowed.
• "Offspring" and "heirs" (implied) speak of continuity and inheritance within God's covenant.
• "Spring up like willows by flowing streams" is a powerful metaphor for rapid, sustained, and fruitful life as a result of God's spiritual outpouring.

Isaiah 44 2 Bonus section

This verse resonates with the broader prophetic theme of God as the sole source of true life and salvation, often contrasted with the lifelessness and deception of pagan deities and idolatry. The promise of "willows by flowing streams" can also be seen as a fulfillment of Psalm 1's imagery of the righteous man flourishing like a well-watered tree. The imagery of flowing water is consistently used throughout Scripture to represent the Holy Spirit’s life-giving power (John 7:38), God’s cleansing grace (Ezekiel 36:25), and the abundance of salvation found in Him. This particular promise lays groundwork for the New Covenant, where God promises to write His laws on the hearts of His people and pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, bringing about a generation that belongs to Him in a profound and intimate way.

Isaiah 44 2 Commentary

Isaiah 44:2 is a profound promise of spiritual revival and blessing from God to His people. The imagery of water on parched earth is a potent metaphor for the life-giving power of God’s presence and the outpouring of His Spirit. This verse points to a future restoration where God Himself will saturate His people with His Spirit and His favor, causing them to flourish and multiply, like willows planted by abundant water. This is not just about physical sustenance but a deep spiritual replenishment that will distinguish and revitalize God’s covenant people, leading them to recognize and claim Him as their God. It contrasts sharply with the preceding verses which mock the futility of idol worship, underscoring that true life and sustenance come only from the Creator. The verse is fulfilled in the promise and gifting of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the New Testament, bringing spiritual life, growth, and fruitfulness to all believers who are spiritually "thirsty" for God.

Practical usage example: Believers who feel spiritually dry or barren can be encouraged by this verse, remembering God’s promise to pour out His Spirit and revitalize them, leading to abundant spiritual growth and fruitfulness.