The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "opened my ear" isn't just about receiving a message; it signifies a willing submission, like a servant whose ear is pierced to serve their master forever. This willing obedience is precisely what sets the Servant apart from prophets who hesitated, highlighting a profound, active consent to God's will, not just passive reception.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage occurs in the context of the "Suffering Servant" songs, where the speaker, representing a figure who will suffer for others, describes his intimate relationship with God and his willing obedience. Following God's declaration of divorce from His unfaithful people, the Servant here asserts his own unwavering commitment and readiness to carry out God's will, even in the face of severe mistreatment, contrasting his own submission with the rebellion of the people.
Have you ever felt a clear calling from God, a specific task He laid on your heart? This verse speaks of a profound moment of divine instruction.
The phrase "The Lord GOD has opened my ear" signifies more than just hearing. It points to a deep, internal impartation of God's will and command. It's like God not only speaks to you but into you, making His message clear and compelling.
This isn't a vague impression; it's a direct commissioning. The prophet (or the Servant speaking here) receives divine instruction that is meant to be acted upon. This opening of the ear is the foundation for all subsequent obedience.
In the face of God's clear word, we always have a choice. What does it look like to not be rebellious?
The verses that follow – "and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward" – reveal a crucial aspect of discipleship: active, unhesitating obedience.
No Rebellion: This isn't passive acceptance. It's a positive decision not to resist God's commands, even if they are difficult or costly.
No Turning Back: This signifies a commitment to the path God has set. It means pressing forward in faith, not retreating in fear or doubt when challenges arise.
This unwavering stance is what the 'Servant' embodies, demonstrating a profound trust and commitment to God's purpose.
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Understand the original words
marah · Hebrew Adjective
Stubborn, willful resistance to the will and command of God; a refusal to submit to divine authority.
This passage likely describes the Servant's willing submission to God's call and suffering, foreshadowing the ultimate obedience of Christ, even amidst the historical pressures and prophetic pronouncements of Isaiah's own era.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry Begins
Isaiah receives his prophetic call in the temple, beginning his ministry in Judah during a period of political and religious turmoil.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
Isaiah advises King Ahaz to trust God rather than form alliances, but Judah is drawn into the conflict, leading to suffering and political instability.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians, leading to the exile of its people and serving as a dire warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and threatening Jerusalem, though the city is miraculously spared.
This passage speaks of God opening ears and a willingness to obey God's law, directly echoing the Servant's response in Isaiah 50:5, highlighting a perfect obedience and delight in God's will.
Hebrews 10:5-10The New Testament authors explicitly connect this servant passage to Jesus, showing how He willingly offered His body, fulfilling the prophecy of obedience that Isaiah 50:5 foretells.
Matthew 26:39Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, 'not my will, but yours be done,' is a perfect example of the obedient heart described in Isaiah 50:5, demonstrating His full submission to the Father's plan despite the cost.
John 6:38Jesus' statement, 'For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me,' directly reflects the 'not rebellious' and 'turned not backward' attitude of the Servant in Isaiah 50:5.
barnesIsaiah 50:5: "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back."
The Lord God hath opened mine ear - This is another expression denoting that he was attentive to the import of the divine commission (see Psalm 40:6 ). And I was not rebellious - I willingly undertook the task of communicating the divine will to mankind. The statement here is in accordance with all that is said of the Messiah, that he was willing to come and do the will of God, and that whateve…
bensonIsaiah 50:5: "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back."
Isaiah 50:5-6 . The Lord hath opened mine ear — Hath given me a power and will to hear and receive his commands. And I was not rebellious — I readily did and suffered what he required of me. Neither turned away back — From hearing or obeying his will, how difficult or dangerous soever the work might be to which he called me. He seems to allude to some of the former prophets, who had shrunk back…
The phrase "opened my ear" isn't just about receiving a message; it signifies a willing submission, like a servant whose ear is pierced to serve their master forever. This willing obedience is precisely what sets the Servant apart from prophets who hesitated, highlighting a profound, active consent to God's will, not just passive reception.
This passage occurs in the context of the "Suffering Servant" songs, where the speaker, representing a figure who will suffer for others, describes his intimate relationship with God and his willing obedience. Following God's declaration of divorce from His unfaithful people, the Servant here asserts his own unwavering commitment and readiness to carry out God's will, even in the face of severe mistreatment, contrasting his own submission with the rebellion of the people.
This passage occurs in the context of the "Suffering Servant" songs, where the speaker, representing a figure who will suffer for others, describes his intimate relationship with God and his willing obedience. Following God's declaration of divorce from His unfaithful people, the Servant here asserts his own unwavering commitment and readiness to carry out God's will, even in the face of severe mistreatment, contrasting his own submission with the rebellion of the people.
"The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward." — The phrase "opened my ear" isn't just about receiving a message; it signifies a willing submission, like a servant whose ear is pierced to serve their master forever. This willing obedience is precis…
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Last reviewed October 2026