Isaiah 46 3

Isaiah 46:3 kjv

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

Isaiah 46:3 nkjv

"Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb:

Isaiah 46:3 niv

"Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.

Isaiah 46:3 esv

"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb;

Isaiah 46:3 nlt

"Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.

Isaiah 46 verses

Isaiah 46 3 Meaning

Isaiah 46:3 presents a profound declaration from God to His people, Jacob and Israel, reminding them of His unique and continuous, unwavering care from their very inception. Unlike the pagan idols that need to be carried by their worshipers, the living God emphasizes that He has carried and sustained His people from the moment of their "birth" as a nation, and promises to continue doing so. This verse serves as a tender, yet authoritative, call to trust in His faithful preservation and distinct nature.

Isaiah 46 3 Context

Isaiah chapter 46 is part of the "Second Isaiah" section (chapters 40-55), generally believed to be addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BC. This section aims to provide comfort, hope, and reassurance to a disheartened people by emphasizing God's incomparable power, His plans for their deliverance, and the utter futility of idolatry. The historical setting is one of distress, with Judah subjugated by the mighty Babylonian Empire and its array of impressive deities like Bel and Nebo.

Verse 3 acts as a direct, intimate address preceding a vivid polemic against these very Babylonian idols (v. 1-2) and then against idols in general (v. 5-7). The primary polemical point here is the contrast: Babylonian gods are physically carried into captivity by men (v. 1-2), a heavy burden for their devotees; in stark contrast, Yahweh is the one who carries His people, and has done so consistently from their very beginning. This sets the stage for a dramatic illustration of Yahweh's unique identity as the living, active, and caring God, superior to all inert, man-made deities. Culturally, the act of "carrying" gods in procession or into exile was common in the ancient Near East, symbolizing their power or defeat. God turns this imagery on its head, asserting His active role in sustaining Israel.

Isaiah 46 3 Word analysis

• Hearken: (Hebrew: שִׁמְעוּ - shime'u) A strong imperative, meaning "listen attentively," "pay close heed." It implies a call not just to hear sounds, but to understand, internalize, and obey. It underscores the urgency and importance of the message God is about to deliver to His often-rebellious people.
• unto me: The directness emphasizes the speaker: Yahweh, the one true God, contrasting His authoritative voice with the silence of idols.
• O house of Jacob: A collective term for the nation of Israel, descended from Jacob. It points to their origin, a nation chosen and blessed by God.
• and all the remnant: (Hebrew: שְׁאָר - she'ar) This term is significant in prophetic literature. It refers to those who remain after a period of judgment or dispersion. In the context of the exile, it specifically addresses those survivors in Babylon, assuring them that despite their reduced state, God's covenant with them still holds. It indicates not all Israel will hear, but a faithful core or those still preserved.
• of the house of Israel: A synonymous parallel with "house of Jacob," reinforcing the address to the entire chosen nation, yet often with a focus on their spiritual identity as God's people.
• which are borne by me: (Hebrew: עֲמֻסִים - 'amusim) Passive participle, meaning "those who are carried," "laden," or "lifted up" by God. This paints a picture of constant, active, protective sustenance, similar to a parent carrying a child. It directly contrasts with the passive idols being borne by humans.
• from the belly: (Hebrew: מִבֶּטֶן - mibbeten) Literally "from the abdomen" or "womb." It metaphorically signifies "from birth" or "from conception." This emphasizes the early, foundational, and intimate nature of God's care, from Israel's earliest formation as a nation (e.g., from the call of Abraham, through the exodus).
• which are carried: (Hebrew: נְשׂוּאִים - nesu'im) Also a passive participle, very similar in meaning to 'amusim, often "lifted" or "borne." This parallelism serves to intensify and confirm the concept of continuous, protective carrying.
• from the womb: (Hebrew: מֵרָחַם - meraham) Another parallel phrase meaning "from birth," explicitly from the "mother's womb." This strong biological imagery further deepens the parental tenderness and constant provision implied in God's relationship with Israel, going back to their origins.

• "Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel": This initial address combines an authoritative command with an inclusive embrace. God calls to all His people, including the dispersed and those who endured, signaling that His covenant promises are still active even in their exiled state. The remnant ensures hope for future restoration.
• "which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb": This phrase uses vivid, intimate, and tender parental imagery. It speaks to God's continuous, unwavering care for Israel, not just in times of crisis, but throughout their entire national existence, even from their earliest stages. It emphasizes God's personal and lifelong commitment to nurture and sustain His people. This sustained support stands in stark opposition to the burden of idols which humans must carry.

Isaiah 46 3 Bonus section

• Divine vs. Human Burden: The passage directly contrasts the false gods of Babylon, which require their worshipers to "carry" them, burdening people (v. 1-2), with the true God who "carries" His people. God does not need to be carried or helped; instead, He is the source of all help and strength, the one who sustains without becoming weary (Isa 40:28). This highlights His omnipotence and self-sufficiency.
• A Continuous Act: The participles 'amusim (borne) and nesu'im (carried) emphasize a continuous, ongoing action of divine care, not a one-time event. God has always been and always will be Israel's sustainer, affirming His unchanging nature.
• Beyond Israel: While primarily addressed to Israel, the underlying theological principle of a God who actively sustains His creation from its beginning extends to individual believers. It reflects a profound truth that God is intimately involved in the lives of His children from their earliest moments (Psa 139:13).
• Purpose of the Remnant: The address to "the remnant" signifies God's preservation of a faithful few through judgment and calamity, ensuring the continuation of His covenant promises and plans, not only for Israel but ultimately for the whole world through His redemptive plan.

Isaiah 46 3 Commentary

Isaiah 46:3 is a pivotal verse, anchoring God's identity not merely as a creator, but as a perpetual caretaker. The tender, maternal imagery of "borne from the belly" and "carried from the womb" asserts God's consistent, unwearying love and protection for Israel from their very inception as a nation. It serves as a comforting assurance to a people in exile, reminding them that the God who brought them into being and sustained them through the Exodus and wilderness will continue to carry them through their present difficulties and into the future (as further stated in verse 4). The implicit challenge to pagan idolatry is profound: unlike lifeless gods that burden their devotees, needing to be carried from one place to another or even into captivity, Israel's God is the active burden-bearer, providing unwavering support. This unique divine quality calls Israel to attentive listening and unwavering trust, acknowledging Yahweh's incomparability and eternal faithfulness.