James Trimm’s Nazarene Commentary on Isaiah Chapter 49
49:1-3
1 Listen, O isles, unto me: and hearken, you peoples, from far. YHWH has called me from the womb, from the innermost parts of my mother, has He made mention of my name.
2 And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand has He hid me, and He has made me a polished shaft. In His quiver has He concealed me,
3 And He said unto me: You are My servant, Yisra’el, in whom I will be glorified.
(Isaiah 49:1-3 HRV)
Is. 49:3 make that identification between the Servant and Israel, not because the Servant is literally Israel but because their is an allegorical relationship Between Messiah and Israel. Verses 5-6 make it clear that the Servant cannot literally be Israel.
49:4-6
4 But I said, I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength for nought and
vanity: yet surely my right is with YHWH, and my recompense with my Elohim.
5 And now, says YHWH, that formed me from the womb to be His servant; to bring Ya’akov back to Him, and that Yisra’el be gathered unto Him: for I am honorable in the eyes of YHWH, and my Elohim is become my strength.
6 Yes, He says: It is too light a thing, that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Ya’akov, and to restore the offspring of Yisra’el. I will also give you for a light of the nations, that My salvation may be unto the end of the earth
(Isaiah 49:4-6 HRV)
In verses 5 & 6 the servant brings Jacob (Israel) back to YHWH; raises up the tribes of Israel and restore the preserved of Israel. These two verses reveal that the Servant mentioned in verse 3 is not literally Israel.
49:7
Thus says YHWH, the Redeemer of Yisra’el, his Set-apart One, to him who is despised of men, to him who is abhorred of the nation, to a servant of rulers: kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of YHWH that is faithful, even HaKadesh of Yisra’el, who has chosen you.
(Isaiah 49:7 HRV)
most translations state that a “nation” abhors the servant. However some Rabbinic translations (JPS and Sonicio) state that the “nations” abhor the servant. This makes a big difference. If the word is singular “nation” then by context the “nation” would be Israel. Thus proving once again that the servant is not Israel because Israel cannot abhor Israel. However if the reading is “nations” then this fits with the Rabbinic interpretation that the servant is Israel and that in Is. 53 Israel is being oppressed by the nations. So one must ask: who is being honest? This is pivotal. Is the word “nation(s)” in Is. 49:7 plural or singular? The word is in the Hebrew singular thus proving once again that the servant is not Israel. Theses Rabbinic veresions have actually changed the text of Is. 49:7 so as to make it fit with their theory.
49:8-
8 Thus says YHWH: In an acceptable time have I answered you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you, and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people: to raise up the land; to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 Saying to the prisoners, Go forth. To them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and in all high hills shall be their pasture.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that has compassion on them will lead them, even by the springs of water will He guide them.
11 And I will make all My mountains–a way–and My highways shall be raised on high.
12 Behold, these shall come from far, and behold, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim.
(Is. 49:8-12 HRV)
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