Isaiah 46 4

Isaiah 46:4 kjv

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:4 nkjv

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:4 niv

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4 esv

even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Isaiah 46:4 nlt

I will be your God throughout your lifetime ?
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.

Isaiah 46 verses

Isaiah 46 4 Meaning

The Lord promises to sustain His people from birth to old age, carrying them through all of life's challenges and situations, never abandoning them. This divine care extends until their final days.

Isaiah 46 4 Context

Isaiah 46 contrasts the impotent idols of Babylon (e.g., Bel and Nebuchadnezzar) with the sovereign, eternal God of Israel. The preceding verses describe the inadequacy of the pagan gods, who must be carried and are unable to save their worshippers. In contrast, God's message shifts to His own people, emphasizing His unwavering support and strength. This verse is a powerful reassurance to Israel facing the exile and the eventual return, promising that their God will personally see them through every stage of their lives, including their later years, a time when human strength often fails.

Isaiah 46 4 Word analysis

• And even to your old age I am he:
  • "old age" (Hebrew: זְקֶנָה, zeqenah): Refers to the later stage of life, marked by physical decline.
  • "I am he" (Hebrew: אֲנִי־הוּא, ani hu): Emphasizes God's unchanging and enduring presence and nature. He is the eternal, ever-present I AM.
• and to gray hairs I will carry you:
  • "gray hairs" (Hebrew: שֵׂיבָה, seivah): Represents advanced age, a symbol of weakness and vulnerability.
  • "I will carry you" (Hebrew: אֶשָּׂא, es'a): Implies bearing, lifting up, supporting, and providing. It's a verb used for carrying burdens or being a support.
• I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save:
  • "I have made" (Hebrew: עָשִׂיתִי, asiti): Refers to God's creation of them, both as individuals and as a nation.
  • "I will bear" (Hebrew: אֶשָּׂא, es'a): Repetition of the verb used for "carry," emphasizing the continuous act of support and responsibility.
  • "I will carry" (Hebrew: אָטִיר, atir): While also meaning carry or bear, it can imply providing or supplying, suggesting not just physical support but provision for their needs.
  • "and will save" (Hebrew: וְאֶמְצָא, vemetsa): This Hebrew word is sometimes translated as "save" or "deliver," meaning to find, to accomplish, or to deliver. In context, it speaks of God's ultimate salvation and deliverance.

Isaiah 46 4 Bonus section

The promise to carry individuals "to gray hairs" connects to a deep respect for elders in ancient Israelite culture, where wisdom was often associated with age. However, the verse transcends mere cultural respect, framing it as a direct divine action of care. The Hebrew verbs for "carry" (שָׂאַ and אָטִיר) are powerful and are also used to describe God carrying Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 19:4). This echoes the historical acts of redemption that build confidence in future acts of salvation. This promise isn't just about physical support but also about spiritual burden-bearing and upholding, fulfilling the prayer in Psalm 71:18, "So even in old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all who come after."

Isaiah 46 4 Commentary

This verse encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to His people. From creation ("I have made") to every stage of life, including frailty and old age ("old age," "gray hairs"), God personally intervenes. He is the ultimate provider and sustainer, a role He takes from conception through death and beyond. His carrying signifies both physical support and spiritual preservation, a promise that His faithfulness extends throughout their existence, leading to their salvation. The repetition of "carry" highlights the intimate, hands-on nature of God's involvement in His people's lives. It stands in stark contrast to the impotence of idols, assuring believers that their God is an active, personal God.