Isaiah 45 17

Isaiah 45:17 kjv

But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Isaiah 45:17 nkjv

But Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever.

Isaiah 45:17 niv

But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

Isaiah 45:17 esv

But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity.

Isaiah 45:17 nlt

But the LORD will save the people of Israel
with eternal salvation.
Throughout everlasting ages,
they will never again be humiliated and disgraced.

Isaiah 45 verses

Isaiah 45 17 Meaning

Isaiah 45:17 declares that the people of Israel will experience an enduring and ultimate deliverance orchestrated by the Lord Himself. This salvation is not fleeting but spans into eternity, guaranteeing that Israel will never face shame, humiliation, or ultimate defeat throughout the ages. It is a profound assurance of God's faithfulness and power to save His chosen people unconditionally and perpetually.

Isaiah 45 17 Context

Isaiah 45:17 stands within the larger discourse of Isaiah 40-48, often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." This section directly addresses the Israelite exiles in Babylon, bringing a message of hope and assurance of return.

The immediate chapter (Isaiah 45) emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and events, specifically highlighting His role in raising up Cyrus, the Persian king, to release the Israelites from captivity and rebuild Jerusalem. This unexpected action through a pagan ruler serves as irrefutable proof of Yahweh's unique identity as the only true God, creator, and redeemer, in stark contrast to the impotent idols worshipped by the Babylonians (Isa 45:20).

Verse 17 particularly underlines the contrast between the transient empires of men and the eternal, unfailing salvation provided by God. While Babylon's glory will fade, Israel's God-given salvation will never diminish. It’s a powerful declaration against the despair and humiliation experienced by the exiles, affirming their lasting identity and vindication in God's plan. It also contains an implicit polemic: unlike the fleeting security offered by idols or human alliances, the salvation of the Lord endures forever.

Isaiah 45 17 Word analysis

• But Israel (וְיִשְׂרָאֵל, wə·yiś·rā·’êl): "But" (waw conjunctive) introduces a strong contrast to the previous verses, which spoke of those who look to idols. "Israel" here primarily refers to the literal nation, but with strong theological implications for the people of God, implying not just physical preservation but a covenant relationship and ultimate spiritual redemption.
• will be saved (נוֹשַׁע, no·sha‘): This is the Niphal passive form of the verb yasha' (יָשַׁע), meaning "to be delivered," "to be liberated," "to be rescued," or "to be victorious." The passive voice emphasizes that God is the sole agent of this salvation; Israel is the recipient, not the doer. It's a completed act in God's decree, though its full manifestation is yet to come.
• by the LORD (בַּיהוָה, ba·Yah·weh): The preposition ba means "by" or "through." This clearly identifies YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, as the exclusive source and author of this salvation. It underscores divine agency and excludes any other power, human or divine (referencing the ongoing polemic against idols).
• with an everlasting salvation (תְּשׁוּעַת עוֹלָמִים, tə·šū·‘at ‘ō·wō·lā·mîm):
  • Teshu'ah (תְּשׁוּעָה) is the noun form of yasha', meaning "salvation," "deliverance," or "help." It conveys the outcome of God's saving act.
  • Olamim (עוֹלָמִים) is the plural of olam (עוֹלָם), meaning "eternity," "forever," "ages." The plural intensifies the idea of endless duration, implying across all ages, generations, and future times. It emphasizes that this salvation is not temporary like human deliverances or geopolitical shifts, but truly permanent and eternal in its scope and effect.
• you will not be put to shame (לֹא תֵבֹשׁוּ, lō’ tê·ḇō·šū):
  • Lo (לֹא) is the emphatic negation, "not."
  • Tevoshoo comes from bosh (בּוֹשׁ), meaning "to be ashamed," "disappointed," "confounded," or "disgraced." This speaks to the public aspect of their future vindication, overturning their present shame of exile and apparent abandonment. It implies their hopes and trust in God will not be in vain.
• or disgraced (וְלֹא תִכָּלְמוּ, wə·lō’ tik·kā·lə·mū):
  • Lo (לֹא) again for strong negation.
  • Tikkalemu comes from kalam (כָּלַם), meaning "to be humiliated," "insulted," "abashed," or "to suffer public disgrace." This word is often stronger than bosh, emphasizing severe or public humiliation. Its inclusion heightens the promise that no lasting reproach will ever attach to God's chosen people.
• to ages everlasting (עַד־עוֹלְמֵי עַד, ‘aḏ-‘ō·wōl·mê ‘aḏ): This is a powerful double emphatic expression of eternity, meaning "forever and ever," or "to ages of ages." It removes all doubt about the perpetual nature of God's promise and Israel's security. It signifies infinite duration without end.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Israel will be saved by the LORD": This phrase establishes the recipient, the act, and the agent of salvation. It shifts focus from God's work through Cyrus to God's ultimate work for His people, emphasizing divine initiative and sole authority in redemption.
• "with an everlasting salvation": This qualifies the nature of the salvation. It is not merely temporal deliverance from Babylon but an eternal reality, securing Israel's place forever in God's redemptive plan. It links God's timelessness to the quality of His saving acts.
• "you will not be put to shame or disgraced": This double negative promise addresses the deepest fear of an exiled people—public humiliation and lasting reproach. It is a divine assurance of vindication, honor, and restoration of dignity. Their faith in Yahweh will prove utterly true, unlike reliance on false gods.
• "to ages everlasting": This final emphatic phrase reinforces the enduring quality of the promise, stressing its eternal, unceasing nature. It communicates the ultimate triumph and perpetual security of those who belong to the Lord, across all future generations and even beyond human history.

Isaiah 45 17 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on "everlasting" (olam and olamim) throughout this verse and chapter 45 serves as a direct counter-narrative to the cyclical rise and fall of ancient empires and the perishable nature of their gods. God's salvation stands in stark contrast to the transient powers of Assyria and Babylon. The assurance is not just for an immediate return from exile, but for Israel's enduring place in God's eternal purposes, which includes a spiritual dimension encompassing all believers in Christ—the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16). The theological implications extend beyond ethnic Israel to all who are "saved by the Lord" and grafted into His eternal covenant, thus sharing in His everlasting salvation and eternal vindication.

Isaiah 45 17 Commentary

Isaiah 45:17 is a cornerstone verse in Isaiah's grand theme of God's sovereignty and salvific power. It is a powerful contrast to the emptiness of idolatry depicted elsewhere in the chapter. While the surrounding verses detail God's control over historical events (like Cyrus's rise), this verse pivots to the eternal implications of God's plan for His people.

The salvation described is comprehensive. It encompasses rescue from enemies, restoration from exile, and ultimate spiritual vindication. It is characterized as "everlasting," indicating that its benefits are not limited to one historical moment but extend infinitely. This underscores the unchangeable nature of God's covenant loyalty (Hebrew: hesed) and His omnipotence. For a nation suffering exile and despair, the promise of "never being put to shame or disgraced" was incredibly significant. It reversed the current state of ignominy, asserting that their God would ultimately honor them, validating their hope and faithfulness despite appearances.

This salvation, divinely orchestrated, transcends mere human intervention or nationalistic aspirations. It points to a redemptive purpose rooted in God's eternal nature, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the messianic era through Jesus Christ, who provides an "eternal salvation" (Heb 5:9) and whose believers will "never be put to shame" (Rom 10:11). The double emphasis on "everlasting" signifies that the blessings and security derived from being God's people are absolutely perpetual and immune to any transient worldly power or challenge. It is an assurance of a destiny rooted in the character of the Eternal God.