Isaiah 49:16
Isaiah 49:16 in Multiple Translations
Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
See, your name is marked on my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Look at your names I've written on the palms of my hands! I'm always thinking about your walls.
Behold, I haue grauen thee vpon the palme of mine hands: thy walles are euer in my sight.
Lo, on the palms of the hand I have graven thee, Thy walls [are] before Me continually.
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Behold, I have graven thee in my hands: thy walls are always before my eyes.
Note that I have written your names on the palms of my hands; in my mind I can always see the walls of your city.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 49:16
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 49:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֵ֥ן
עַל
כַּפַּ֖יִם
חַקֹּתִ֑י/ךְ
חוֹמֹתַ֥יִ/ךְ
נֶגְדִּ֖/י
תָּמִֽיד
הֵ֥ן
hên
H2005
look!
Part
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כַּפַּ֖יִם
kaph
H3709
palm
N-fd
חַקֹּתִ֑י/ךְ
châqaq
H2710
to decree
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
חוֹמֹתַ֥יִ/ךְ
chôwmâh
H2346
wall
N-fp | Suff
נֶגְדִּ֖/י
neged
H5048
before
Prep | Suff
תָּמִֽיד
tâmîyd
H8548
continually
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 49:16
הֵ֥ן
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כַּפַּ֖יִם
kaph
H3709
"palm"
N-fd
In the Bible, this word refers to the palm of the hand, like in Exodus 29 where it describes the priest's hands being filled with offerings. It can also symbolize power or strength, like in Psalm 16. It's about the hand or its shape.
Definition: : palm/hand 1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand 1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand 1b) power 1c) sole (of the foot) 1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects 1d1) of thigh-joint 1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow) 1d3) hollow (of sling) 1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees) 1d5) handles (as bent)
Usage: Occurs in 180 OT verses. KJV: branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 7:4.
חַקֹּתִ֑י/ךְ
châqaq
H2710
"to decree"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
This Hebrew word means to decree or enact a law, like writing it in stone. It appears in Judges 5:14, where it talks about being a scribe. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's laws and decrees.
Definition: 1) to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut in 1a2) to cut in or on, cut upon, engrave, inscribe 1a3) to trace, mark out 1a4) to engrave, inscribe (of a law) 1b) (Poel) 1b1) to inscribe, enact, decree 1b2) one who decrees, lawgiver (participle) 1c) (Pual) something decreed, the law (participle) 1d) (Hophal) to be inscribed
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, pourtray, print, set. See also: Genesis 49:10; Proverbs 8:27; Psalms 60:9.
חוֹמֹתַ֥יִ/ךְ
chôwmâh
H2346
"wall"
N-fp | Suff
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Definition: wall
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: wall, walled. See also: Exodus 14:22; Nehemiah 6:15; Psalms 51:20.
נֶגְדִּ֖/י
neged
H5048
"before"
Prep | Suff
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Definition: subst 1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv 2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of 3) in front of oneself, straightforward 4) before your face, in your view or purpose with prep 5) what is in front of, corresponding to 6) in front of, before 7) in the sight or presence of 8) parallel to 9) over, for 10) in front, opposite 11) at a distance prep 12) from the front of, away from 13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from 14) from before, in front of 15) as far as the front of Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. See also: Genesis 2:18; Job 10:17; Psalms 10:5.
תָּמִֽיד
tâmîyd
H8548
"continually"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means continually or constantly, like the daily sacrifice in the Bible. It describes something that happens regularly, like every day. It is used in books like Leviticus and Numbers to describe regular offerings.
Definition: 1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch 1a) continually, continuously (as adverb) 1b) continuity (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual. See also: Exodus 25:30; Nehemiah 10:34; Psalms 16:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 49:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 49:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:16
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
- Sermons on Isaiah 49:16
Context — The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
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. 18Lift up your eyes and look around. They all gather together; they come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “you will wear them all as jewelry and put them on like a bride.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haggai 2:23 | On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, My servant, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 62:6 | On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, |
| 3 | Isaiah 60:18 | No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 8:6 | Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. |
| 5 | Exodus 13:9 | It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. |
| 6 | Isaiah 26:1 | In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts. |
| 7 | Isaiah 54:12 | I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. |
| 8 | Psalms 48:12–13 | March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers, consider her ramparts, tour her citadels, that you may tell the next generation. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 22:24 | “As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off. |
| 10 | Revelation 21:10–21 | And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal. The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height. And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. |
Isaiah 49:16 Summary
[This verse tells us that God has written our names on His hands, which means He always remembers us and cares about us (see also Psalms 8:4, where God is mindful of humanity). Just like a mother loves her child, God loves us and will never forget us, and He is always looking out for our well-being (see also Isaiah 40:11, where God gently leads those who are with young). We can trust that God is always with us and will protect us, just like the walls of a city keep its people safe (see also Deuteronomy 31:6, where God promises to never leave or forsake us).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be inscribed on the palms of God's hands?
Being inscribed on the palms of God's hands, as stated in Isaiah 49:16, signifies that God has a permanent and intimate knowledge of us, much like a craftsman engraves a design on his hands to remember it (see also Psalms 95:4, where God's works are said to be in His hands).
How can we be sure that God remembers us?
According to Isaiah 49:15, even if a mother could forget her nursing child, God will not forget us, demonstrating His unwavering love and care for His people (see also Jeremiah 31:3, where God says He has loved us with an everlasting love).
What are the 'walls' that are ever before God?
The 'walls' mentioned in Isaiah 49:16 likely refer to the walls of Jerusalem, representing God's people and His concern for their protection and well-being (see also Isaiah 60:18, where God promises to make peace the guardian of Jerusalem's walls).
How does this verse relate to our daily lives?
This verse reminds us that God is always mindful of us, and we can trust in His presence and care, just as the Israelites were assured of God's love and protection (see also Matthew 10:30, where Jesus says that God knows the number of hairs on our heads).
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you that God has inscribed you on the palms of His hands, and how does this truth impact your sense of identity and purpose?
- In what ways can you reflect on God's love and care for you, as described in Isaiah 49:15-16, and how can you apply this to your relationships with others?
- How can you trust in God's presence and protection, as promised in Isaiah 49:16, when faced with challenges or uncertainties in your life?
- What are some ways you can 'lift up your eyes and look around' to see God's goodness and provision in your life, as encouraged in Isaiah 49:18?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands,.... Not upon his thick clouds, the clouds of heaven under him, always in view, as R.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; mine eye and heart is constantly upon thee. He alludes to the common practice of men, who use to put signs and memorials upon their hands or fingers of such things as they dearly affect, and would remember. See . Thy walls are continually before me; my thoughts run continually upon the walls of Jerusalem, which are now broken down, that I may repair them as soon as ever the set time cometh, and then proceed to do far greater things for thee.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.Ver. 16. Behold, I have graven thee.] So that as oft as I look upon mine own hands I cannot but think on thee. We read of one who had written the whole history of Christ’ s Passion upon the nails of his hands in small letters. The "signet on his finger" a man cannot lightly look beside. See Son 8:6 Jeremiah 22:24. Some think here is alluded to that precept given by God, of binding the Commandments to their right hand. Thy walls are continually before me.] The Lord doth so delight in his servants, that their "walls are ever in his sight," and he loveth to look upon the houses where they dwell. See on Psalms 87:6. Non descripsit sed "sculpsit," et quidem "in manibus," utraque scilicet. - Scultet.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
(16) Behold, I have graven thee . . .—The words point to the almost universal practice of tattooing. A man thus “engraved” the name of his god, or the outlines of his home, or the face of her he loved, upon his hands or arms. So, by a boldly anthropomorphic figure, Jehovah had “graven” Jerusalem on His hands. He could not open them, i.e., could not act, without being reminded of her. The “walls” may be either those of the earthly city lying in ruins, or those of the heavenly Jerusalem.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
Verse 16. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands - "Behold, on the palms of my hands have I delineated thee"] This is certainly an allusion to some practice, common among the Jews at that time, of making marks on their hands or arms by punctures on the skin, with some sort of sign or representation of the city or temple, to show their affection and zeal for it. They had a method of making such punctures indelible by fire, or by staining. See Clarke on Isaiah 44:6. It is well known, that the pilgrims at the holy sepulchre get themselves marked in this manner with what are called the ensigns of Jerusalem. See Maundrell, p. 75, where he tells us how it is performed: and this art is practiced by travelling Jews all over the world at this day.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 49:16
16. I have graven thee] Not the name merely but the picture of the city, as the next clause shews. Thy walls may refer to the ruined walls with their mute appeal to Jehovah’s compassion, or to the plan of the new walls, which reminds Him of His purpose to rebuild them. The latter is more likely. upon the palms of my hands] upon both hands.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands - This is another argument in answer to the complaint of Zion in Isaiah 49:14. There have been various interpretations of this passage.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 49:16
16. I have graven thee upon… my hands — God’s interest for Zion never dies out. The proof is, that the name of Zion is etched, or tattooed as a picture, on the palms of his hands, so is ever before his eyes.
Sermons on Isaiah 49:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Why You Must Know God in Person by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the comforting presence of God in times of darkness and despair. They share personal experiences of feeling hopeless and burdened, but also |
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Fear of Man by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a group of people and asks them if they have unfinished business in their lives. He mentions those who have built houses but haven't dedicated |
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The Sickness, Death and Resurrection of Lazarus 1 of 4 (Reading) by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jesus and his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. He emphasizes the importance of faith and how it is tested in times of trials. Th |
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The Majesty of Our God by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, Dave Wilkerson and his wife discuss the power of experiencing God's presence firsthand rather than just watching it in films or hearing about it in class. They anno |
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Israel: What's Going On? What We Can We Do? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the complexities surrounding Israel's current situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and biblical context. He discusses the o |
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God Knows Me by J.I. Packer | J.I. Packer emphasizes the profound truth that God knows each of us intimately and continuously, providing us with comfort and assurance in His unwavering love and attention. He hi |
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We Are Almost Home! by Anne Dutton | Anne Dutton preaches about the unfailing love and care of Jesus towards His followers, assuring them of His constant presence, friendship, and power to save. She emphasizes that de |