Isaiah 49:15
Isaiah 49:15 in Multiple Translations
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.
Will a woman give up the child at her breast, will she be without pity for the fruit of her body? yes, these may, but I will not let you go out of my memory.
Really? Can a mother forget her nursing baby? Can she forget to be kind to the child she carried in her womb? Even if she could forget, I will never forget you!
Can a woman forget her childe, and not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe? though they should forget, yet wil I not forget thee.
Forget doth a woman her suckling, The loved one — the son of her womb? Yea, these forget — but I — I forget not thee.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.
Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.
But Yahweh replies, “That is not true! ◄Can a woman forget the infant that she is nursing?/A woman certainly cannot forget the infant that she is nursing!► [RHQ] ◄Can she stop being kind to the child to whom she has given birth?/She certainly cannot stop being kind to the child to whom she has given birth!► [RHQ] But even if a woman would do that, I will not forget you!
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 49:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 49:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲ/תִשְׁכַּ֤ח
אִשָּׁה֙
עוּלָ֔/הּ
מֵ/רַחֵ֖ם
בֶּן
בִּטְנָ֑/הּ
גַּם
אֵ֣לֶּה
תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה
וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י
לֹ֥א
אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽ/ךְ
הֲ/תִשְׁכַּ֤ח
shâkach
H7911
to forget
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
אִשָּׁה֙
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
עוּלָ֔/הּ
ʻûwl
H5764
infant
N-ms | Suff
מֵ/רַחֵ֖ם
râcham
H7355
to have compassion
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
בִּטְנָ֑/הּ
beṭen
H990
belly
N-fs | Suff
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Conj | Pron
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽ/ךְ
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 49:15
הֲ/תִשְׁכַּ֤ח
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
אִשָּׁה֙
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
עוּלָ֔/הּ
ʻûwl
H5764
"infant"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a baby or infant, specifically a suckling child who relies on its mother's milk. It emphasizes the child's dependence and vulnerability.
Definition: suckling, sucking child
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: sucking child, infant. See also: Job 24:9; Isaiah 49:15; Isaiah 65:20.
מֵ/רַחֵ֖ם
râcham
H7355
"to have compassion"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to have compassion or show love, often used to describe God's mercy towards humanity, as seen in the Bible. It involves deep feelings of sympathy and kindness. In the KJV, it is translated as having mercy or pity.
Definition: 1) to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion 1a) (Qal) to love 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to have compassion, be compassionate 1b1a) of God, man 1c) (Pual) to be shown compassion, be compassionate
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, [idiom] surely. See also: Exodus 33:19; Isaiah 60:10; Psalms 18:2.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בִּטְנָ֑/הּ
beṭen
H990
"belly"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Conj | Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽ/ךְ
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
Study Notes — Isaiah 49:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 49:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:15
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
- Sermons on Isaiah 49:15
Context — The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
13Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
14But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”
15“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!
16Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me. 17Your builders hasten back; your destroyers and wreckers depart from you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 44:21 | Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you. |
| 2 | Psalms 103:13 | As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. |
| 3 | Matthew 7:11 | So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! |
| 4 | Jeremiah 31:20 | Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Hosea 11:1 | When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. |
| 6 | Malachi 3:17 | “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. |
| 7 | Lamentations 4:10 | The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 3:26–27 | Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.” |
| 9 | 2 Kings 6:28–29 | Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” |
| 10 | 2 Kings 11:1–2 | When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. |
Isaiah 49:15 Summary
[This verse is saying that just like a mother loves and cares for her baby, God loves and cares for us, and He will never forget about us. He is always thinking about us and wanting what is best for us, just like a mother wants what is best for her child. As it says in Psalm 139:17-18, God's thoughts about us are precious and numerous, and we can trust in His love and care for us. This is a wonderful promise that we can hold onto, knowing that God is always with us and will never leave us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when it says 'Can a woman forget her nursing child'?
This phrase is using a powerful metaphor to convey the depth of God's love and care for His people, much like a mother's instinctual love for her child, as seen in Isaiah 66:13 where God compares Himself to a mother comforting her child.
Why does it say 'Even if she could forget, I will not forget you'?
This statement emphasizes God's faithfulness and commitment to His people, reassuring them that even if human love and care can fail, God's love and remembrance will never falter, as promised in Jeremiah 31:3 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
How can I be sure that God will not forget me?
This verse is a beautiful reminder of God's promise to always remember and care for His people, and we can trust in His faithfulness because of His character, as described in Psalm 103:13 and Lamentations 3:22-23.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
This verse reveals God's tender and loving nature, highlighting His compassionate and caring heart towards His people, much like a mother's love, and demonstrating His faithfulness and commitment to those who belong to Him, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7 and Psalm 86:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have felt forgotten or unloved, and how can I apply the promise of this verse to those situations?
- How does the image of a mother's love for her nursing child help me understand God's love for me?
- In what ways can I trust in God's faithfulness and remembrance of me, even when I feel forgotten or overlooked?
- What are some practical ways that I can remind myself of God's promise to not forget me, and how can I share this encouragement with others?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?.... This is the Lord's answer to the church's complaint, instancing in the care and affection of a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Can a woman forgot her sucking child?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
Earthly parents sometimes are so unnatural and monstrous; but do not entertain such unworthy thoughts of me. I will remember thee effectually, to bring thee out of Babylon, and, which is infinitely greater, to send my Son into the world to work out eternal redemption for thee.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.Ver. 15. Can a woman forget her sucking child?] It were a wonder she should grow out of kind as to be so unkind. The mother fasteth that her child may eat, waketh that he may sleep, is poor to make him rich, slighted to make him glorious. Occidar mode imperet, said she in story. God’ s love to his is more than maternal. All the mercies of all the mothers in the world being put together would not make the tithe of his mercy. David saith much, "as a father pitieth his children," &c. Great was Jacob’ s love to Benjamin, David’ s to Absalom, so that Joab upbraideth him with it. But God here saith more, "Can a woman forget," &c. The harlot could not yield to have her child divided.
Arsinoe interposed her own body between the sword of the murderer and her dear children. Melanchthon telleth of a countess of Thuringia, who being compelled by her husband’ s cruelty to go into banishment from her children, when she took leave of her eldest son she bit a piece of his cheek out, amoris notam cruento morsu imprimens, and so marked him for her own. This is somewhat; but what is all this to the infinite? Was there ever love like God’ s love in sending his Son to die for sinners? Christ himself wondereth at it; this was a sic so, without a sicut, just as, there being nothing in nature wherewith to parallel it. See Romans 8:32. Yea, they may forget.] They may put off natural affection, as some did in times of Popish persecution; Julius Palmer’ s mother for instance. King Edward the martyr was basely murdered by his own mother. Egelred succeeded him, and much mourned for his brother, being but ten years old, which so enraged his mother, that taking wax candles, which were readiest at hand, she therewith scourged him so sore, that he could never after endure wax candles to be burnt before him. Chronic., lib. v.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
(15) Can a woman forget . . .?—The love of Jehovah for His chosen ones is more than that of a father, more tender and unchangeable even than the maternal love which exists often in the most depraved. Even that may perish, but not so His pitying affection.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:15
15. Jehovah’s remembrance of Zion is more enduring than the strongest human affection. Even a mother’s pity for an infant may fail. yea, they may forget] Or, should even these forget (Cheyne). yet will I not forget thee] See on ch. Isaiah 44:21.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child? - The design of this verse is apparent.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:15
15. Can a woman forget, etc. — The Lord’s yearning over his children is far greater than a human mother’s for her own offspring: impossible, therefore, is it for him to forget the people he
Sermons on Isaiah 49:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Knowing God as Our Father - Inwardly (Tamil) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God as our Father and understanding His sovereignty. It highlights the significance of being filled with the Holy Spirit to truly e |
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Our Great Hight Priest by Don McClure | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the imperfections and struggles of our lives, comparing them to a car that is broken and failing. Despite our flaws, the preacher emphasize |
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A Marriage Changed by God by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinctions and roles within marriage, highlighting the need to recognize and respect the differences between husband an |
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Separated From Our Loved Ones by Keith Daniel | This sermon delves into the fearful possibility of separation from loved ones, both in this life and for eternity, emphasizing the consequences of rejecting God and the need for si |
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Isaiah 49 by Robert F. Adcock | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the comforting and reassuring nature of God's love and care for his people. He highlights the fact that God is in control of everything and |
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Destroying Every Idol by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart and making sacrifices for Him. It highlights the significance of true devotion to Jesus Christ, prioritizing |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah - Part 2 by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the deep teachings of Isaiah chapters 40 to 66, highlighting the importance of humility, trust in God's ways, and the need for true repentance and righteous |