Isaiah 49:14 kjv
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
Isaiah 49:14 nkjv
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me."
Isaiah 49:14 niv
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."
Isaiah 49:14 esv
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me."
Isaiah 49:14 nlt
Yet Jerusalem says, "The LORD has deserted us;
the Lord has forgotten us."
Isaiah 49 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 49:14 | Zion: The Lord has forsaken me, | Gen 37:35 (Jacob's despair over Joseph) |
| Isa 49:15 | “Can a woman forget her nursing child, | Psa 22:9-10 (David's plea of trust in God's care from birth) |
| Isa 49:16 | Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; | Song 8:6 (Love engraved like a seal) |
| Jer 31:20 | I still remember him. | Hos 11:8-9 (God's mercy on Ephraim) |
| Psa 27:10 | If my father and mother forsake me, | Psa 22:1 (David's cry of God's distance) |
| Luke 12:6 | Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? | Matt 10:29-31 (God's care even for sparrows) |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am convinced that neither death nor life, | Gal 3:27 (Baptism in Christ) |
| Heb 12:5-6 | And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? | 1 Cor 6:19-20 (Body as a temple of the Holy Spirit) |
| Isa 40:27 | Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; | Job 23:8-10 (Job's search for God) |
| Psa 139:1-4 | O Lord, you have searched me and known me! | Song 5:3 (Bride's affection) |
| Jer 2:2 | “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, | 2 Kings 17:18 (Israel's destruction) |
| Ezek 37:11-14 | Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. | Zech 8:3 (God's return to Zion) |
| Zech 2:8 | For thus says the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me against the nations who plunder you, | Ps 17:8 (David asking to be kept as the apple of His eye) |
| Mal 3:16 | Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another, | Heb 4:16 (Approach to the throne of grace) |
| Matt 18:12-14 | What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, | 1 Peter 1:18-19 (Redemption through Christ's blood) |
| John 10:27-30 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, | 1 John 3:2 (We will be like Him) |
| Rev 7:14-17 | And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. | 1 Cor 1:8 (God will sustain until the end) |
| Isa 54:4-5 | Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; | Jer 3:14 (God's desire to return His people) |
| Isa 62:4-5 | It shall not be called Nearer, nor to Your bride nor her groom. | Cant 7:2 (Description of a beloved woman) |
| Matt 28:20 | teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. | Eph 5:25-27 (Christ's love for the Church) |
Isaiah 49 verses
Isaiah 49 14 Meaning
Zion feels forgotten and abandoned by the Lord. This verse conveys the Lord's strong denial of such a claim, assuring Zion (representing God's people) that He has not forgotten and cannot forget them, as they are indelibly marked on His palms.
Isaiah 49 14 Context
This chapter is part of the "Servant Songs" in Isaiah, portraying the suffering and eventual triumph of a servant figure, often interpreted as representing Israel, or ultimately, the Messiah. Chapter 49, in particular, speaks of the servant's mission to the Gentiles and his suffering for the sake of his people. Zion, representing Jerusalem and the nation of Israel, expresses feelings of abandonment by God during a time of distress and exile. This lament echoes sentiments expressed at various points in Israel's history, especially during periods of Babylonian captivity and dispersion. The immediate context of this verse shows Zion vocalizing a profound sense of desolation and neglect, questioning if God has forgotten them.
Isaiah 49 14 Word Analysis
Zion: (Tziyon) - Refers to a hill in Jerusalem, but often used metonymically for Jerusalem itself, the Temple, and the people of Israel as a whole, representing God's chosen covenant people.
said: (amar) - To speak, utter, say. Indicates a direct statement of Zion's feelings.
The Lord: (Adonai) - A title for God, meaning "my Lord," "master," emphasizing His sovereignty and authority.
has forsaken: (ʿazavtanī) - (from 'azav) - To leave, abandon, forsake. It carries the strong implication of being left behind or deserted.
me: (ani) - First-person singular pronoun, representing Zion.
and: (wə-) - Conjunction joining clauses or phrases.
my God: (Elohai) - My God, another name expressing a personal covenant relationship.
has forgotten: (šakaḥtanī) - (from šakaḥ) - To forget, neglect.
me: (ani) - Again, first-person singular.
Words-group:
- "Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, and my God has forgotten me.'" This entire phrase encapsulates a deep despair and a crisis of faith. It articulates the feeling that the divine covenant relationship has been broken due to present suffering. The people feel that God's protective presence and favor have been withdrawn.
Isaiah 49 14 Bonus Section
The metaphor of being inscribed on God's palms is unique and potent. Unlike a fragile memorial object that could be lost or a mere thought that might fade, having one's name engraved on a person's hands implies a constant, intimate awareness and care. The hands are instrumental in action, in work, in protection. To be on God's hands is to be held, guided, and protected. This imagery speaks to God's active involvement in the lives of His people, not just a passive memory. It also implies that Zion's fate is not contingent on her own actions, but on God's sovereign decision and His unfading commitment, assured by the permanence of the engraving. This is deeply rooted in the concept of God as the active sustainer of creation and His covenant people.
Isaiah 49 14 Commentary
The declaration of Zion feeling forsaken and forgotten is a powerful expression of profound spiritual desolation and doubt. This sentiment arises when God's people face immense hardship, invasion, or exile, making them feel as though the covenant promises of protection and presence have failed. The verse directly addresses this perception with an emphatic denial from the Lord. The subsequent assurance that God "cannot" forget them because they are "inscribed on the palms of my hands" is an image of indelible memory and unwavering commitment. It signifies that Zion's existence and identity are permanently etched into God's very being, a tangible reminder of His covenant faithfulness. This imagery transcends a simple promise of remembrance; it portrays a profound, unbreakable connection that death itself cannot sever, underscoring the depth of God's love and remembrance for His people.