Isaiah 44 5

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 verses

Isaiah 44 5 Meaning

Isaiah 44:5 portrays a powerful scene of allegiance and transformation, envisioning a future where people, recognizing the sole sovereignty of Yahweh, eagerly declare their devotion and identify themselves with His chosen people. This verse describes various forms of this public profession: some explicitly state their belonging to the Lord, others embrace the name and identity of Jacob (representing Israel), and some even physically mark themselves as "The Lord's" or adopt the name of Israel, signifying a complete and irreversible commitment to the God of Israel. It foretells a time of expansive covenant inclusion and devoted service.

Isaiah 44 5 Context

Isaiah 44:5 is nestled within a larger section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55) often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah," primarily addressed to Israel during their Babylonian exile. In the preceding chapters, God powerfully declares His singular identity and power as the Creator and Redeemer, consistently contrasting Himself with the utter impotence and foolishness of idols. Chapter 44 specifically emphasizes God's unique ability to declare the future, validate His prophetic word, and provide salvation. The verse comes immediately after a promise of God pouring His Spirit and blessing on Israel's descendants. It serves as a stark counterpoint to the idolaters of the surrounding cultures and even among Israel, who had compromised their loyalty. Instead of bowing to lifeless images or taking the name of false gods, this verse portrays a joyful, voluntary, and public renunciation of such practices, replaced by an ardent commitment to the One True God and an eager adoption of His covenant people's identity.

Isaiah 44 5 Word analysis

• One (אֶחָד - ’eḥāḏ): In this context, it emphasizes the singular action and individuality of declaration. Each person makes a personal commitment, but collectively they form a unified movement. It highlights personal volition.
• shall say (יֹאמַר - yō’mar): Implies a clear, audible, and public declaration. This isn't a secret thought but an open profession of faith and loyalty, suggesting courage and conviction. It points to a formal and intentional statement.
• I am the Lord's (לַיהוָה אֲנִי - laYHWH ’ănî):
  • לַיהוָה (laYHWH): "To the Lord" or "belonging to the Lord." The prefix la- (לָ) indicates possession or dedication. It signifies absolute ownership and devotion to Yahweh, the covenant God.
  • אֲנִי (’ănî): "I" or "my." A personal and direct assertion. It denotes individual allegiance, not merely inherited identity but a chosen one. This is a personal identification with the Sovereign God.
  This phrase is a powerful statement of surrender and belonging, indicating a covenant relationship where God owns and protects His people. It signifies total commitment to Him alone.
• and another (וְזֶה - vəzeh): "And this one" or "and one like this." This repeated phrase highlights a multiplicity of individuals engaging in similar acts of devotion, showing diverse yet unified expressions of faith. It indicates a broadening of allegiance beyond a single group.
• shall call himself by the name of Jacob (יִקְרָא בְּשֵׁם יַעֲקֹב - yiqrā’ bəšēm Ya‘ăqōḇ):
  • יִקְרָא בְּשֵׁם (yiqrā’ bəšēm): "He shall be called by the name of." To be called by someone's name meant to be identified with them, to share in their legacy and destiny, or to belong to them. It signifies taking on a new identity and associating with a heritage.
  • יַעֲקֹב (Ya‘ăqōḇ): Jacob, representing Israel, the progenitor and the nation. To be called by Jacob's name means to embrace the identity and heritage of God's chosen people, including their covenant relationship with God. This points to spiritual adoption into God's covenant family.
  This is a public declaration of affiliation with the people of God, implying a renunciation of previous allegiances and embracing the history and future of Israel as God's treasured possession.
• shall write on his hand (וְזֶה יִכְתֹּב יָדוֹ - vəzeh yikṯōḇ yāḏō):
  • יִכְתֹּב (yikṯōḇ): "He shall write." Indicates a deliberate, permanent, and visible inscription. This act signifies deep, unshakeable commitment, not easily reversed. It's a symbolic tattooing or branding.
  • יָדוֹ (yāḏō): "His hand." The hand is a prominent and active part of the body, symbolizing action, strength, and possession. Writing on the hand makes the declaration evident in daily life and activity, visible to oneself and others.
  This physical inscription on the hand suggests a powerful, personal dedication that becomes a visible testament to one's commitment. It contrasts with pagan practices of marking to idols. It symbolizes absolute devotion and a brand of divine ownership.
• The Lord's (לַיהוָה - laYHWH): Again, "Belonging to the Lord." This is the specific content of the inscription, reinforcing the theme of absolute ownership and allegiance to Yahweh. It is a constant reminder of whom they serve.
• and name himself by the name of Israel (וּבְשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל יְכַנֵּהוּ - uvəšēm Yiśrā’ēl yəḵannehū):
  • וּבְשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל (uvəšēm Yiśrā’ēl): "And by the name of Israel." Emphasizes adopting the national and spiritual identity associated with God's people.
  • יְכַנֵּהוּ (yəḵannehū): "He shall name himself," "he shall title himself." This implies a self-proclaimed, affirmed identity. It is a deliberate choice to align with God’s covenant people.
  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yiśrā’ēl): Israel, signifying not just a people but also "God strives" or "prince with God." Embracing this name means identifying with God's power, covenant, and His blessings. It represents a deeper spiritual identity, echoing Jacob's transformation.
  This action combines taking on a new name with public identification, reflecting a spiritual transformation and an earnest desire to be counted among those whom God has chosen and redeemed. It highlights a profound spiritual alignment and self-identification with God's covenant nation.

Isaiah 44 5 Bonus section

This verse carries strong implications for the inclusion of Gentiles into God's people. While "Jacob" and "Israel" refer to the Jewish nation, the prophecy here speaks of "another" joining and adopting this identity, implying that non-Israelites would be grafted into God's covenant family. This concept prefigures the New Testament reality where all who believe in Christ, regardless of ethnic background, become "spiritual Israel" or "children of Abraham by faith" (Gal 3:28-29). The "writing on the hand" imagery is particularly potent. In ancient cultures, marking could denote ownership, slavery, or religious devotion (e.g., to a pagan deity). Here, it is inverted as a holy practice—a permanent sign of belonging to Yahweh. This parallels the spiritual "sealing" by the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant (Eph 1:13, 4:30), where believers are marked as God's possession internally.

Isaiah 44 5 Commentary

Isaiah 44:5 is a prophetic envisioning of radical commitment and covenant identity. It describes a profound spiritual renewal where individuals wholeheartedly align themselves with Yahweh, the one true God, moving beyond mere ethnic affiliation to an eager, personal, and public declaration of faith. The various forms of profession—verbal, through identification with Jacob, and via indelible physical marking with "The Lord's"—highlight the diverse and fervent nature of this commitment. This verse counters idolatry by offering an authentic identity rooted in God, not man-made images. It signifies the spiritual expansion of God's people, welcoming all who choose to claim His name, echoing themes of salvation, new identity in Christ, and the ultimate ingathering of nations under God's sovereignty. It is a powerful affirmation of chosen loyalty in a world of competing allegiances.