Isaiah 49:6

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר נָקֵ֨ל מִֽהְיוֹתְךָ֥ לִי֙ עֶ֔בֶד לְהָקִים֙ אֶת־שִׁבְטֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב *ונצירי **וּנְצוּרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהָשִׁ֑יב וּנְתַתִּ֙יךָ֙ לְא֣וֹר גּוֹיִ֔ם לִֽהְי֥וֹת יְשׁוּעָתִ֖י עַד־קְצֵ֥ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס

Transliteration

Wayyōʾmer nāqēl from-being-you to-me ʿeḇed to-hāqîm ʾeṯ-šiḇṭê Yaʿăqōḇ and-nəṣûrê Yiśrāʾēl to-hāšîḇ; ûnəṯattîḵā for-ʾôr gôyim, to-hiyôṯ yəšûʿāṯî until-end hāʾāreṣ.

Grammar Details

*Wayyōʾmer*: waw consecutive + verb, qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he said
*nāqēl*: adjective, masculine singular - too light/trifling
*ʿeḇed*: noun, masculine singular - servant/slave
*hāqîm*: verb, hiphil infinitive construct - to raise up/establish
*ʾeṯ*: direct object marker
*šiḇṭê*: noun, masculine plural construct - tribes of
*Yaʿăqōḇ*: proper noun - Jacob
*nəṣûrê*: passive participle, qal plural construct - preserved ones of
*Yiśrāʾēl*: proper noun - Israel
*hāšîḇ*: verb, hiphil infinitive construct - to return/restore
*ûnəṯattîḵā*: conjunction + verb, qal perfect, 1st singular + 2nd masculine singular suffix - and I will give you/make you
*ʾôr*: noun, masculine singular - light
*gôyim*: noun, masculine plural - nations/peoples
*hiyôṯ*: verb, qal infinitive construct - to be
*yəšûʿāṯî*: noun, feminine singular + 1st singular suffix - my salvation
*hāʾāreṣ*: article + noun, feminine singular - the earth/land

Word Meanings

*nāqēl*: too light/trifling/insignificant
*hāqîm*: to raise up/to establish/to restore
*šiḇṭê*: tribes of/rods of/clans of
*nəṣûrê*: preserved ones/protected ones/survivors
*hāšîḇ*: to return/to restore/to bring back
*ʾôr*: light/illumination/daybreak
*yəšûʿāṯî*: my salvation/my deliverance/my victory

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

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Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Acts 13:47 : 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Luke 2:32 : 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
Isa 42:6 : 6 I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Luke 24:46-47 : 46 and he said unto them, Thus it is written, {G2532} that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Acts 26:18 : 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
Ps 98:2-3 : 2 Jehovah hath made known his salvation: His righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the nations. 3 He hath remembered his lovingkindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Isa 52:10 : 10 Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Isa 60:3 : 3 And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isa 11:10 : 10 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.
John 1:4-9 : 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but [came] that he might bear witness of the light. 9 There was the true light, [even the light] which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
2 Kgs 20:10 : 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.
Isa 46:13 : 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
2 Kgs 3:18 : 18 And this is but a light thing in the sight of Jehovah: he will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Isa 49:3-5
3 verses
84%
3and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice [due] to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.
5And now saith Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength);
Isa 49:7-9
3 verses
79%
7Thus saith Jehovah, 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, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, [even] the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.
8Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages:
9saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.
Isa 42:1
79%
1Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
Isa 42:6-7
2 verses
79%
6I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the {H3608} prison-house.
Acts 13:47
77%
47For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Isa 41:8-9
2 verses
77%
8But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend,
9thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away;
Luke 2:32
76%
32A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
Isa 52:13
74%
13Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.
Matt 12:17-18
2 verses
74%
17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
18Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.
Isa 60:15-16
2 verses
74%
15Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the nations, and shalt suck the breast of kings; and thou shalt know that I, Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isa 60:2-3
2 verses
73%
2For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
3And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isa 45:13-14
2 verses
73%
13I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, saith Jehovah of hosts.
14Thus saith Jehovah, The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall go after thee, in chains they shall come over; and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, [saying], Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Isa 44:1-2
2 verses
72%
1Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel, who I have chosen:
2Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
Isa 52:10
72%
10Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Isa 44:21
72%
21Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
Isa 51:5
72%
5My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
2 Sam 22:44
72%
44Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people; Thou hast kept me to be the head of the nations: A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Isa 62:1-2
2 verses
71%
1For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth.
2And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.
Isa 55:4-5
2 verses
71%
4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Rom 9:27
71%
27And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved:
Jer 30:10-11
2 verses
71%
10Therefore fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith Jehovah; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
11For I am with thee, saith Jehovah, to save thee: for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have scattered thee, but I will not make a full end of thee; but I will correct thee in measure, and will in no wise leave thee unpunished.
Isa 43:4
71%
4Since thou hast been precious in my sight, [and] honorable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men in thy stead, and peoples instead of thy life.
Isa 11:10
71%
10And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.
Isa 51:16
71%
16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
Jer 46:27-28
2 verses
71%
27But fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
28Fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, saith Jehovah; for I am with thee: for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee; but I will not make a full end of thee, but I will correct thee in measure, and will in no wise leave thee unpunished.
Isa 60:21
71%
21Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Isa 49:1
71%
1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples, from far: Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name:
Isa 62:11
70%
11Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
Isa 45:4
70%
4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
Isa 9:8
70%
8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Isa 46:13
70%
13I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Jer 31:7
70%
7For thus saith Jehovah, Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout for the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Jehovah, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Isa 66:19
70%
19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
Isa 61:1
70%
1The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to them that are bound;
Jer 49:15
70%
15For, behold, I have made thee small among the nations, and despised among men.