Isaiah 44:5 kjv
One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Isaiah 44:5 nkjv
One will say, 'I am the LORD's'; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, 'The LORD's,' And name himself by the name of Israel.
Isaiah 44:5 niv
Some will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.
Isaiah 44:5 esv
This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and name himself by the name of Israel."
Isaiah 44:5 nlt
Some will proudly claim, 'I belong to the LORD.'
Others will say, 'I am a descendant of Jacob.'
Some will write the LORD's name on their hands
and will take the name of Israel as their own."
Isaiah 44 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 43:1 | But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob... | God's special relationship with Jacob |
| Gen 32:28 | Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel... | Jacob's name changed to Israel |
| Rom 9:25-26 | As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them my people..." | Gentiles called God's people |
| Gal 3:27-29 | ...baptized into Christ have put on Christ... | Being clothed with Christ, part of Israel |
| Acts 4:12 | And in no other is there salvation... | Salvation only in Jesus' name |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name... | Believing in His name brings sonship |
| Rev 7:3 | "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have... | Sealing of God's servants |
| Rev 14:1 | Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb... | Lamb on Mount Zion with 144,000 |
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart... | Love God with all heart |
| Deut 11:18 | You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart... | Meditate on God's words |
| Ps 119:11 | I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin... | Hiding God's word in the heart |
| Acts 17:28 | "‘For “‘in him we live and move and have our being’..." | Dependence on God |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding... | God's peace guards hearts and minds |
| Col 3:23 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men | Doing all for the Lord |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the... | Doing all for the glory of God |
| 1 John 5:3 | For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments... | Love shown by keeping commands |
| Gal 6:17 | From now on let no one make trouble for me, for I bear on my... | Bearing marks of Jesus |
| Phil 3:10 | that I may know him and the power of his resurrection... | Knowing Christ and His resurrection |
| Acts 2:38 | And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one... | Repentance and baptism |
| Rev 22:4 | They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. | Name of God on foreheads |
Isaiah 44 verses
Isaiah 44 5 Meaning
This verse declares that individuals will profess allegiance to the LORD, identifying themselves by the name of Jacob, and will write "belonging to the LORD" on their hands. It signifies a profound, personal commitment and public declaration of faith in God. This adoption of the name "Jacob" represents an embrace of God's covenant people, signifying their shared heritage and spiritual lineage with the patriarch.
Isaiah 44 5 Context
Chapter 44 of Isaiah continues the theme of God's sovereign power and His unshakeable faithfulness to Israel, particularly during their exile. The preceding verses (44:1-4) emphasize God's pouring out of His Spirit upon Israel, bringing forth spiritual renewal and abundant blessing, like water on thirsty ground, causing offspring to grow like willows. This imagery sets the stage for the individual and collective response of God's people described in verse 5. Historically, this speaks to the period of Babylonian exile, a time when Israel's identity and devotion to Yahweh were severely tested by surrounding pagan cultures and their idolatrous practices. This verse, therefore, functions as a powerful assurance of God's continuing covenant relationship and a prophecy of the renewed allegiance His people would demonstrate. It also serves as a contrast to the preceding denunciation of idolatry in chapter 43, reinforcing the futility of idols versus the living God.
Isaiah 44 5 Word Analysis
- וְ: (vav) Conjunction; "and". Connects this statement to the previous declaration of God's blessing.
- אִישׁ: (ish) Noun, masculine singular; "man," "each one." Emphasizes the personal nature of the commitment.
- אֶחָד: (echad) Numeral; "one." Underscores singularity of devotion; not divided loyalty.
- יִקְרָא: (yikra) Verb, Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular, from קָרָא (qara); "shall call." Future tense, indicating a prophecy of a future reality. It implies calling out or naming.
- בְּשֵׁם: (beshem) Preposition בְּ (be) "in" + Noun שֵׁם (shem); "by the name." Denotes invoking or being identified by a name.
- יַעֲקֹב: (Ya'aqov) Proper Noun; "Jacob." Refers to the patriarch and by extension, the covenant people of Israel. It's significant as Jacob's name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), implying a transformed identity.
- וְ: (vav) Conjunction; "and."
- בְּשֵׁם: (beshem) Preposition בְּ (be) "in" + Noun שֵׁם (shem); "by the name."
- יִשְׂרָאֵל: (Yisra'el) Proper Noun; "Israel." Further identifies the allegiance with the people who have wrestled with God and prevailed.
- יַחֲרֹשׁ: (yacharosh) Verb, Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular, from חָרַשׁ (charash); "shall plow," "shall inscribe," "shall mark." This verb has a dual meaning. In its agricultural sense, it means to plow. However, in the context of marking for ownership or dedication, "inscribe" or "mark" is a more fitting interpretation here, as also seen in some Rabbinic interpretations.
- לִי: (li) Preposition לְ (le) "to" + 1st person singular suffix; "to me." Clearly states the ownership or dedication is to the LORD.
- וְ: (vav) Conjunction; "and."
- בְּשֵׁם: (beshem) Preposition בְּ (be) "in" + Noun שֵׁם (shem); "by the name."
- יִשְׂרָאֵל: (Yisra'el) Proper Noun; "Israel."
Group Analysis:
- "Each one shall call himself by the name of Jacob, and by the name of Israel": This pair of clauses highlights a dual recognition and adoption of identity. "Jacob" represents their earthly, familial heritage, including its struggles and imperfections. "Israel" represents their spiritual transformation and relationship with God, where they "contend with God." It implies a wholehearted embrace of their covenant lineage and the God who made that covenant.
- "and shall inscribe himself to me": The phrase "yacharosh li" strongly suggests an act of dedication, marking, or claiming. Given the spiritual context and the parallel with markings on hands, it speaks of belonging, ownership, and unwavering commitment, rather than literal agricultural plowing.
Isaiah 44 5 Bonus Section
The choice of "Jacob" alongside "Israel" is significant. It implies that God doesn't discard our past or our humanity, but rather sanctifies and transforms it. He calls us to acknowledge our origins but to live according to our new identity in Him. The "writing on the hand" imagery is reminiscent of practices of marking property or loyalty. In a spiritual sense, it signifies a permanent, indelible claim by God upon His people, their labor, and their life. This can also be seen as a prefigurement of the sealing of believers in the Book of Revelation (Rev 7:3, 14:1), where God's people bear His name and the name of the Lamb on their foreheads and hands. The imagery underscores that true worship and service are not external rituals but an ingrained, deeply personal commitment.
Isaiah 44 5 Commentary
Verse 5 signifies a complete turning of the people towards the LORD after experiencing His promised blessings and protection. It’s a voluntary, intimate dedication. This isn't just acknowledging God but being so transformed that they identify themselves with God’s covenant names, Jacob (representing their earthly origin and struggle) and Israel (representing their spiritual reality of striving with God and prevailing by His grace). The act of inscribing on their hands is a powerful symbol of deep personal ownership and devotion, indicating that their very actions and being are dedicated to Him. It's an internal commitment made manifest outwardly. This echoes the New Testament concept of being "born again" or putting on Christ, where one’s identity is fundamentally changed and claimed by God. The dedication is absolute: "to Me."
Practical Usage Example:A believer today might "write belonging to the Lord" by dedicating their work and skills to God, consciously serving Him in all they do, or by public declarations of faith, even under duress.