Isaiah 49:7
Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights the dramatic contrast between the Messiah's future glory and His present suffering. The text emphasizes that despite being "deeply despised" and "abhorred," He will be exalted to a position where kings and rulers will pay Him homage, not due to His own power, but because of God's unwavering faithfulness and His ultimate choice.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the "servant" of the LORD, who is deeply despised by his own people and rulers. This verse offers a vision of the future vindication of this servant, promising that despite his current suffering and rejection, kings and princes will eventually recognize his divine authority and pay him homage. This ultimate exaltation is rooted in the faithfulness of God, who has chosen and appointed this servant for his redemptive work.
The One speaking in this verse is the ultimate source of authority and love. What are His declarations about Himself and His chosen servant?
The verse opens with the LORD identifying Himself with powerful titles: 'the Redeemer of Israel' and 'his Holy One.' These aren't just labels; they reveal His nature and mission.
This divine address is directed to 'him whom man despiseth, whom the nation abhorreth, a servant of rulers.' This Servant, despite His outward lowly and rejected status, is chosen by this same faithful, Holy God.
This servant faces the deepest scorn, yet the prophecy foretells an astonishing reversal. What does this transformation reveal about God's faithfulness?
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The core of this verse is the stark contrast between the Servant's present suffering and His future glory.
The Depths of Despair
The Servant is described as:
This wasn't a minor inconvenience; it was profound rejection, even by His own people. He was treated as less than a person, subject to the whims of earthly authorities, enduring the ultimate indignity of servitude.
The Heights of Glory
But God's perspective is different:
This isn't just about political power; it's about ultimate recognition and worship. Rulers, who once commanded or scorned Him, will eventually acknowledge His sovereign authority and bow down. This reversal is not due to the Servant's own power in that moment, but 'because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.'
God's promises often stand firm even when His chosen one faces complete rejection. What does this verse teach us about divine faithfulness?
This verse offers a powerful assurance rooted in God's character:
This speaks volumes to anyone who feels overlooked or rejected. Our worth and our future are not determined by the opinions of others, but by the faithful choice of our God. He sees beyond the present scorn to the future glory He has ordained.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel. The term refers to the sovereign, self-existent Creator who enters into covenant relationship with His people.
go'el · Hebrew Verb/Participle
One who buys back or liberates someone or something from slavery, debt, or captivity by paying a price. God is the Redeemer who delivers Israel from their enemies and from sin.
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Refers to God's essential nature of being separate from all that is common, profane, or sinful. It highlights His absolute purity, majesty, and moral perfection.
This prophecy points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who, despite being despised and rejected by his own people and rulers, would ultimately be honored by earthly kings and princes, highlighting God's faithfulness in bringing salvation through unexpected means.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry
Isaiah delivers prophecies during a tumultuous period in the Kingdom of Judah, including the Assyrian threat and internal political strife. This verse is part of his larger message of hope and restoration.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the subsequent exile of many Judeans to Babylon, marked a low point for the nation. This historical context of suffering and perceived abandonment deeply shaped the understanding of God's promises.
c. 539 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. While a significant deliverance, it did not fulfill all of God's promises, leaving a sense of anticipation for a greater redemption.
c. 20 BC - AD 30— this verse
Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus, the 'Holy One of Israel,' experienced profound rejection, contempt, and suffering, fulfilling the description of the despised servant. His life, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.
c. AD 40 - 100
Spread of the Gospel
Following Christ's ascension, the apostles and early Christians spread the gospel. This period saw the beginnings of kings and rulers showing reverence and embracing the message, initiating the fulfillment of the prophecy.
This Psalm speaks of suffering and rejection, mirroring the description of the 'one deeply despised' in Isaiah, and foreshadowing the Messiah's experience.
Isaiah 53:2-3This passage directly describes the Servant as having 'no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him,' and being 'despised and rejected by men,' which strongly parallels the verse from Isaiah 49.
Philippians 2:5-8This New Testament passage echoes the theme of humility and servanthood, describing Christ who, though in the form of God, 'emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,' enduring shame and death, before his exaltation.
Matthew 27:27-31This passage details Jesus' humiliation by rulers and soldiers, portraying Him as a despised servant, before His ultimate glorification and the bowing of every knee.
Revelation 5:11-13This vision of heaven shows all creation, including kings and rulers, worshipping the Lamb who was slain, directly fulfilling the prophecy that 'Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves.'
pooleIsaiah 49:7: "Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."
His Holy One; the Holy One of Israel, as he is frequently called. To him whom man despiseth; to Christ, to whom, as he was in the days of his flesh, this description doth most truly and ful…
wesleyIsaiah 49:7: "Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."
49:7 His Holy One - The Holy One of Israel. To him - To Christ, to whom, in the days of his flesh, this description fully agrees: for men, both Jews and Gentiles among whom he lived, did de…
This verse highlights the dramatic contrast between the Messiah's future glory and His present suffering. The text emphasizes that despite being "deeply despised" and "abhorred," He will be exalted to a position where kings and rulers will pay Him homage, not due to His own power, but because of God's unwavering faithfulness and His ultimate choice.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the "servant" of the LORD, who is deeply despised by his own people and rulers. This verse offers a vision of the future vindication of this servant, promising that despite his current suffering and rejection, kings and princes will eventually recognize his divine authority and pay him homage. This ultimate exaltation is rooted in the faithfulness of God, who has chosen and appointed this servant for his redemptive work.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the "servant" of the LORD, who is deeply despised by his own people and rulers. This verse offers a vision of the future vindication of this servant, promising that despite his current suffering and rejection, kings and princes will eventually recognize his divine authority and pay him homage. This ultimate exaltation is rooted in the faithfulness of God, who has chosen and appointed this servant for his redemptive work.
"Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;…" — This verse highlights the dramatic contrast between the Messiah's future glory and His present suffering. The text emphasizes that despite being "deeply despised" and "abhorred," He will be exalted t…
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