Then you will say in your heart: ‘Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; from where have these come?’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a mother's profound astonishment at a sudden, unexpected abundance of children. Her bewilderment isn't just about their presence, but where these children came from when she felt utterly alone and devoid of any capacity to bear them.
Then you will say in your heart: ‘Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; from where have these come?’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse depicts Zion, personified as a mother, in utter astonishment and disbelief at the sudden influx of children. Having been through devastating loss, exile, and abandonment, she cannot fathom where these new people, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, have come from. This is a direct response to the preceding verses where God promises an immense restoration and expansion of His people, drawing from distant lands and Gentiles.
Imagine a mother who thought her family was complete, or even lost, suddenly finding herself surrounded by a multitude of children. This verse captures that kind of profound surprise.
The people of God, personified as Zion or Jerusalem, are depicted in a state of extreme loss and desolation. They recall being 'bereaved and barren, exiled and put away,' feeling utterly alone.
Then, they are confronted with a massive influx of people, like children they never expected to have. The question, 'Who has borne me these?' echoes their shock. This isn't about natural birth but about spiritual regeneration and the surprising expansion of God's people.
The commentaries highlight this as a picture of the Jewish Church's amazement at the ingathering of Gentiles, a concept that initially caused friction but was ultimately overcome by God's Spirit.
Who is the true parent when seemingly impossible growth occurs? This verse points to a divine source behind the miraculous increase.
While the bewildered mother asks 'Who has begotten me these?' and 'who has brought up these?', the deeper truth is that God is the source of this spiritual parentage. The commentaries emphasize that this isn't about natural parents, human efforts, or even ministers alone, but ultimately about God's regenerative work.
God is the one who 'forms' His servants (verse 5) and is the ultimate source of both the spiritual 'birth' (begetting) and the subsequent nurturing ('bringing up'). This process is often inexplicable to the natural mind, leading to the astonishment expressed in the verse.
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The language highlights that these new people come from unexpected places ('from the north and from the west,' verse 12), not from the 'natural' lineage previously expected. This underscores God's sovereign, often surprising, way of building His kingdom.
Understand the original words
shakul · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A state of being childless or unable to bear children, often carrying social stigma in ancient Israel; metaphorically used to describe Israel's condition during the exile.
aqarah · Hebrew Adjective
A condition of being without fruit or offspring, representing a lack of productivity, blessing, or divine favor, particularly in the context of the covenant promises.
galah · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
To be forcibly removed from one's homeland; a judgment on Israel for covenant unfaithfulness, yet a setting where God's restoration is uniquely displayed.
This verse captures the astonishment of Jerusalem and its people upon returning from the Babylonian exile. They had been stripped of children, exiled, and felt utterly alone, making the rebuilding and subsequent flourishing of the community, especially with the eventual inclusion of Gentiles in God's people, a miraculous and overwhelming sight.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Tribes
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was largely destroyed and its people exiled by the Assyrian Empire, leaving a remnant in the land.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon began deporting prominent Judeans to Babylon, marking the start of the Judean exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This event left Judah devastated and its people scattered.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus conquered Babylon, paving the way for the exiled Jews to return to their homeland.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The returned exiles completed and dedicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a significant milestone in the restoration of Jewish religious life.
This passage directly follows Isaiah 49 and continues the theme of the barren woman becoming a mother of many children, emphasizing God's expansive grace and her astonishment at the influx.
Isaiah 60:4-7It vividly describes a similar scene of astonishment as Jerusalem's children return from afar, with nations bringing their wealth and offerings, highlighting the unexpected and abundant restoration.
Luke 15:11-24The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the overwhelming joy and disbelief of a parent upon the return of a lost child, mirroring Zion's astonishment at her restored and multiplied 'children.'
Galatians 4:25-27This passage uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to show how the 'barren' (spiritual Jerusalem) has more children than the one who had a natural son, directly echoing Isaiah's theme of unexpected, numerous offspring.
Acts 10:45-48The inclusion of Gentiles into the early church, causing astonishment among Jewish believers, serves as a practical, historical outworking of Isaiah's prophecy about a formerly 'bereaved' mother receiving unexpected children from all nations.
wesleyIsaiah 49:21: "Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?"
49:21 Who - Whence have I this numberless issue? Seeing - Seeing I was in a manner left childless. Desolate - Without an husband, being forsaken by God, who formerly owned himself for my husband.
pulpitIsaiah 49:21: "Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?"
Verse 21. - Who hath begotten me these? The Jewish Church is astounded at the influx of the Gentiles, and asks, "Where did they come from? Who has made them my children? Who has trained them?" That they are not her natural children she is sure, sinc…
The verse highlights a mother's profound astonishment at a sudden, unexpected abundance of children. Her bewilderment isn't just about their presence, but where these children came from when she felt utterly alone and devoid of any capacity to bear them.
This verse depicts Zion, personified as a mother, in utter astonishment and disbelief at the sudden influx of children. Having been through devastating loss, exile, and abandonment, she cannot fathom where these new people, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, have come from. This is a direct response to the preceding verses where God promises an immense restoration and expansion of His people, drawing from distant lands and Gentiles.
This verse depicts Zion, personified as a mother, in utter astonishment and disbelief at the sudden influx of children. Having been through devastating loss, exile, and abandonment, she cannot fathom where these new people, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, have come from. This is a direct response to the preceding verses where God promises an immense restoration and expansion of His people, drawing from distant lands and Gentiles.
"Then you will say in your heart: ‘Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; from where have these come?’”" — The verse highlights a mother's profound astonishment at a sudden, unexpected abundance of children. Her bewilderment isn't just about their presence, but where these children came from when she fe…
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Last reviewed October 2026