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

This verse declares the intimate relationship between the Almighty and Israel, emphasizing His roles as Creator, Sustainer, and unwavering Helper. It delivers a powerful message of comfort, instructing Israel, referred to as "Jacob My servant" and "Jeshurun," not to fear, as their existence and future are founded upon His eternal choice and personal formation of them from the very beginning of their being. It reaffirms their special, divinely appointed identity.

Isaiah 44 2 Context

Isaiah 44:2 is part of a larger section (chapters 40-55) known as "The Book of Comfort," primarily addressed to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. In this particular chapter, the Lord's prophetic declaration firmly establishes His sovereignty and identity against the backdrop of pervasive idolatry and the people's despair. Immediately preceding this verse, the Lord has challenged Israel to recognize His singular power and unique ability to foretell the future (Isa 43:8-13), contrasting this with the impotence of idols. This verse then provides intimate reassurance, reminding them of their unique origins and ongoing relationship with their Creator, preparing for a strong denunciation of idol-worship that follows later in the chapter (Isa 44:9-20). The historical context is one of a defeated nation facing oppression, questioning God's presence and power, and potentially drawn to the deities of their captors. This passage powerfully counters such fears and doubts.

Isaiah 44 2 Word analysis

• Thus says (כֹּה אָמַר - koh amar): This is a common prophetic formula introducing a direct divine utterance. It signifies authoritative declaration from the Lord Himself.
• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. It asserts His unique identity above all other gods.
• Who made you (עֹשֶׂךָ - 'osekha): From the verb 'asah, meaning "to make," "to do," or "to create." It refers to God's active role as the ultimate maker and orchestrator of Israel's existence as a nation. It points to a creative act of formation.
• and formed you (וְיֹצֶרְךָ - wəyotzerka): From the verb yatsar, meaning "to form" or "to fashion," often associated with a potter shaping clay. This imagery highlights God's careful, deliberate, and personal artistry in forming Israel, implying design and purpose beyond mere creation.
• from the womb (מִבֶּטֶן - mibbɛten): This signifies an origin predating their national birth, emphasizing God's involvement in their individual and corporate being from conception. It points to God's pre-knowledge and specific intention for them, establishing a deeply intimate and personal bond from the very start.
• who will help you (יַעְזְרֶךָּ - yaʿzərekkā): An imperfect verb, indicating ongoing and future assistance. This assures Israel of God's continuous support, protection, and provision, connecting His past creative work with His future fidelity.
• Fear not (אַל תִּירָא - 'al tira'): A divine imperative, a command rooted in God's power and faithfulness. It serves as an antidote to anxiety and despair, often foundational to a relationship of trust with God.
• O Jacob (יַעֲקֹב - Ya'aqob): Refers to the patriarch and, by extension, the entire nation of Israel. It serves as a reminder of their ancestral covenant and foundational identity.
• My servant (עַבְדִּי - ʿavdi): This title denotes a relationship of chosenness, purpose, and dedicated service to God. It highlights Israel's role as a representative people through whom God works in the world, implying both privilege and responsibility.
• and you, Jeshurun (וִישֻׁרוּן - wîšurūn): A poetic and honorific name for Israel, primarily found in Deuteronomy. It means "the upright one" or "the righteous one," reflecting God's ideal or intended character for His people, a reminder of what they should be and what He desires them to be, despite their failings.
• whom I have chosen (בָּחַרְתִּי בּוֹ - baḥarti bo): From the verb bachar, meaning "to choose" or "to select." This affirms Israel's identity as a divinely elected people, chosen by sovereign grace, not by their merit, setting them apart for a special purpose.

• "Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb": This entire phrase establishes God's absolute authority and personal, foundational relationship with Israel. It emphasizes that Israel's very existence is a testament to God's intentional, intimate, and purposeful work, making their origin distinct from other nations or the creation of idols.
• "Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun": Here, the command to "fear not" is grounded directly in Israel's divinely designated identity. The dual address ("Jacob My servant" and "Jeshurun") underscores both their historical covenant identity and their ideal, righteous potential, affirming their value and unique standing before God.
• "whom I have chosen": This concludes the identification of Israel by God, rooting all their past, present, and future in the foundational act of divine election. Their chosen status is the ultimate guarantee of God's fidelity and the reason for their comfort and security.

Isaiah 44 2 Bonus section

The concept of God "forming from the womb" extends beyond a physical act. It underscores theological principles of predestination and God's sovereign hand in shaping the identity and destiny of individuals and nations for His specific purposes. In the New Testament, believers are considered the spiritual heirs of this promise of election and intimate divine care, often referred to as "children of Abraham" (Gal 3:7) and "a chosen race" (1 Pet 2:9). This verse also anticipates the ultimate "Servant" of the Lord, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role Israel was called to, establishing the means for all who believe to enter into this same chosen relationship with God. It offers not just comfort, but a redefinition of identity rooted solely in divine grace rather than human performance.

Isaiah 44 2 Commentary

Isaiah 44:2 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment to Israel. It functions as a foundational promise, alleviating fear by anchoring Israel's identity and future squarely in God's immutable character and actions. The verse transitions from God's eternal "who made you and formed you from the womb," emphasizing His intimate and personal involvement from the very beginning of Israel's existence, to His ongoing "who will help you," assuring future support. The call to "Fear not" is not a baseless command, but a logical response to God's demonstrated power and faithfulness. Addressing them as "Jacob My servant" reinforces their covenant status and purpose, while "Jeshurun," meaning "the upright one," is an affectionate and hopeful designation that speaks to God's vision for His people, reminding them of their ideal character and unique election. It conveys that despite their current circumstances or past failures, their divine origin and chosen status remain the ultimate basis for comfort and hope.