Pentecost Season · Nativity of St John the Baptist: Mass · Year A
Isaiah 49:1-6
The Servant of the Lord
June 24, 2026
Overview & Insights
“I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
So 49:1–6 is a major turning point. So far the Poet’s focus has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far the addressee has been Jacob-Israel. Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. So far Yahweh’s promise has thus concerned the fall of Babylon and the end of the Judeans’ enforced residence there. Henceforth it will concern the restoring of the city that virtually none of the exiles have ever seen. Once more there is no need to infer that time has moved on or that the people are already back in the city. While that might be so, it is just as plausible to imagine the prophet continuing to exercise a ministry in Babylon. Chapters 49–55 are just as relevant to the people there as are chapters 40–48 to people in Judah.
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Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 49:1-7 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the Servant called from the womb as a light to the nations.
Isaiah 49: The Servant of the LORD Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.
Isaiah 49 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of word studies and cross references verse by verse through Isaiah 49.
Isaiah 49:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the second Servant Song in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Isaiah 49.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah 49 in Hebrew Sefaria
The Hebrew text with English alongside and classical Jewish commentaries.
Isaiah 49:1 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the Servant Song.
Enter the Bible: Isaiah Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the book of Isaiah and its Servant Songs.
Book of Isaiah Overview (Isaiah 40-66) BibleProject
An animated overview of the later chapters of Isaiah where the Servant Songs appear.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Who is the Servant of Isaiah 49?
Called from the womb, the Servant is given as a light to the nations so that God's salvation may reach the ends of the earth, a portrait fulfilled in Christ.
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