Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who bore me these? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. Who brought these up? I was left all alone, but these—where have they come from?’” New Living Translation Then you will think to yourself, ‘Who has given me all these descendants? For most of my children were killed, and the rest were carried away into exile. I was left here all alone. Where did all these people come from? Who bore these children? Who raised them for me?’” English Standard Version Then you will say in your heart: ‘Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; from where have these come?’” Berean Standard Bible Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” Berean Literal Bible And you will say in your heart, ‘Who has borne these for me, and I am childless and barren, exiled and rejected? And who has raised these? Behold, I was left alone by myself; these—where are they from? King James Bible Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? New King James Version Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me, Since I have lost my children and am desolate, A captive, and wandering to and fro? And who has brought these up? There I was, left alone; But these, where were they?’ ” New American Standard Bible “Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has fathered these for me, Since I have been bereaved of my children And cannot conceive, and I am an exile, and a wanderer? And who has raised these? Behold, I was left alone; Where are these from?’” NASB 1995 “Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me, Since I have been bereaved of my children And am barren, an exile and a wanderer? And who has reared these? Behold, I was left alone; From where did these come?’” NASB 1977 “Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me, Since I have been bereaved of my children, And am barren, an exile and a wanderer? And who has reared these? Behold, I was left alone; From where did these come?’” Legacy Standard Bible Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has borne these for me? Indeed, I have been bereaved of my children And am barren, an exile and a wanderer. And who has reared these? Behold, I remained alone; From where did these come?’” Amplified Bible “Then [Zion], you will say in your heart, ‘Who has borne me these children, Since I have been bereaved of my children And am barren, an exile and a wanderer? And who has reared these? Indeed, I was left alone; From where then did these children come?’” Berean Annotated Bible Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” Christian Standard Bible Then you will say within yourself, ‘Who fathered these for me? I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive, exiled and wandering — but who brought them up? See, I was left by myself — but these, where did they come from? ’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then you will say within yourself, Who fathered these for me? I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive, exiled and wandering— but who brought them up? See, I was left by myself— but these, where did they come from?’” American Standard Version Then shalt thou say in thy heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where were they? Contemporary English Version and Jerusalem will ask, "Am I really their mother? How could I have given birth when I was still mourning in a foreign land? Who raised these children? Where have they come from?" English Revised Version Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where were they? GOD'S WORD® Translation Then you will ask yourself, "Who has fathered these [children] for me? I was childless and unable to have children. I was exiled and rejected. Who raised these [children for me]? I was left alone. Where have they come from?" Good News Translation Then you will say to yourself, 'Who bore all these children for me? I lost my children and could have no more. I was exiled and driven away--who brought these children up? I was left all alone--where did these children come from?'" International Standard Version Then you'll ask in your heart, 'Who bore these children for me, although I was childless and barren, and an exile and cast aside? Who brought these up? Look! For my part I was left all alone; but as for these, where have they come from?' NET Bible Then you will think to yourself, 'Who bore these children for me? I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. Who raised these children? Look, I was left all alone; where did these children come from?'" New Heart English Bible Then you will say in your heart, 'Who has conceived these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering back and forth? Who has brought up these? Look, I was left alone; these, where were they?'" Webster's Bible Translation Then shalt thou say in thy heart, Who hath begotten these for me, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” World English Bible Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has conceived these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children and am alone, an exile, and wandering back and forth? Who has brought these up? Behold, I was left alone. Where were these?’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have said in your heart: Who has begotten these for me? And I [am] bereaved and barren, "" A captive, and turned aside, "" And who has nourished these? Behold, I was left by myself, these—where [are] they from?” Berean Literal Bible And you will say in your heart, ‘Who has borne these for me, and I am childless and barren, exiled and rejected? And who has raised these? Behold, I was left alone by myself; these—where are they from? Young's Literal Translation And thou hast said in thy heart: 'Who hath begotten for me -- these? And I bereaved and gloomy, A captive, and turned aside, And these -- who hath nourished? Lo, I -- I was left by myself, these -- whence are they? Smith's Literal Translation And thou saidst in thy heart, Who begat these to me, and I being bereaved and barren, an exile, and departing? and who caused these to grow? Behold, I was left alone; they, where were they? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt say in thy heart: Who hath begotten these? I was barren and brought not forth, led away, and captive: and who hath brought up these? I was destitute and alone: and these, where were they? Catholic Public Domain Version And you will say in your heart: “Who has conceived them? I was barren and unable to give birth. I was taken away and held captive. And so, who has raised them? I was destitute and alone. And so, where have they been?” New American Bible You shall ask yourself: “Who has borne me these, when I was bereft and barren? Exiled and repudiated, who has reared them? I was left all alone; where then do these come from?” New Revised Standard Version Then you will say in your heart, “Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away— so who has reared these? I was left all alone— where then have these come from?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen you shall say in your heart, Who has borne me these? For, behold, I have been bereaved and barren, a captive, and wandering to and fro. And who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; and these children, where have they been? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you shall say in your heart: “Who bore these to me? Behold, I am bereaved and alone, exposed and troubled! Who raised these up? Behold, if I am left alone, where are they?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then shalt thou say in thy heart: 'Who hath begotten me these, Seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, An exile, and wandering to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; These, where were they?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt say in thine heart, Who has begotten me these? whereas I was childless, and a widow; but who has brought up these for me? and I was left alone; but whence came these to me? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context You are My Servant…20Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ 21Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” 22This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.… Cross References Then you will say in your heart, 1 Samuel 1:13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” Psalm 77:6 At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered: ‘Who has begotten these for me? Genesis 33:5 When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.” Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. 1 Samuel 1:20 So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” I was bereaved and barren; Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 1 Samuel 1:5-6 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. Isaiah 54:1 “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. I was exiled and rejected. Psalm 60:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us! Jeremiah 31:10 Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock. Ezekiel 36:19 I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered throughout the lands. I judged them according to their ways and deeds. So who has reared them? Isaiah 1:2 Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. Deuteronomy 1:31 and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.” Hosea 11:3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. Look, I was left all alone, 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” Treasury of Scripture Then shall you say in your heart, Who has begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? seeing Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not… Romans 11:11-17,24 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy… Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. am desolate Isaiah 3:26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. Isaiah 51:17-20 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out… Isaiah 52:2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. Jump to Previous Able Alone Barren Begotten Bereaved Bore Borne Captive Care Children Conceived Desolate Driven Exile Exiled Forth Fro Gloomy Heart Lost Nourished Others Reared Rejected Removing Solitary Turned Wanderer Wandering Whence WhoJump to Next Able Alone Barren Begotten Bereaved Bore Borne Captive Care Children Conceived Desolate Driven Exile Exiled Forth Fro Gloomy Heart Lost Nourished Others Reared Rejected Removing Solitary Turned Wanderer Wandering Whence WhoIsaiah 49 1. Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them5. He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises 13. God's love is perpetual to his church 18. The ample restoration of the church 24. The powerful deliverance out of captivity Then you will say in your heart, This phrase indicates an internal reflection or realization. In biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of thought and emotion. This introspection suggests a moment of revelation or understanding, possibly inspired by divine intervention. It reflects a personal and profound moment of realization, often seen in prophetic literature where God reveals His plans to His people. ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” Persons / Places / Events 1. Zion (Jerusalem)Often personified as a woman in the book of Isaiah, representing the people of Israel and their spiritual state. 2. The Exile Refers to the Babylonian captivity, a period when the Israelites were taken from their homeland and lived in Babylon. 3. The Return The prophesied return of the Israelites to their homeland, symbolizing restoration and divine intervention. 4. The Children Symbolic of the future generations and the growth of the nation of Israel, despite previous desolation. 5. The Heart's Question Represents the astonishment and disbelief of Zion at the unexpected blessing and restoration. Teaching Points God's Power to RestoreDespite feelings of abandonment and desolation, God has the power to restore and bring forth new life and blessings. Unexpected Blessings God's plans often exceed our expectations, and He can bring about growth and prosperity from situations that seem hopeless. Faith in God's Promises Trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary. His word is faithful and true. Spiritual Growth from Desolation Times of spiritual barrenness can lead to unexpected spiritual growth and renewal when we rely on God. Community and Legacy The growth of the community of believers is a testament to God's faithfulness and a reminder of the legacy we leave for future generations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 49:21?2. How does Isaiah 49:21 illustrate God's restoration of Israel's perceived desolation? 3. What emotions does Israel express in Isaiah 49:21, and why are they significant? 4. How does Isaiah 49:21 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:2-3? 5. How can we trust God's faithfulness when facing seemingly impossible situations today? 6. In what ways can Isaiah 49:21 inspire hope in personal spiritual growth? 7. How does Isaiah 49:21 relate to the restoration of Israel's population after exile? 8. What historical context explains the desolation described in Isaiah 49:21? 9. How does Isaiah 49:21 reflect God's promise of redemption and restoration? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 49? 11. In Isaiah 54, why does the text consistently personify Israel as a woman if the prophecy supposedly extends beyond literal national boundaries? 12. Isaiah 49:8 depicts a grand restoration--how does this align with historical records of Israel's exiles and returns that appear less triumphant? 13. In Isaiah 54:1, how can a barren woman have more children than one who is married without a literal or scientific explanation? 14. Who was Naphtali in the Bible? What Does Isaiah 49:21 Mean Then you will say in your heart• The prophet pictures Israel’s future reaction once God gathers her dispersed children. (Isaiah 49:18; Jeremiah 31:16) • “In your heart” shows the inward astonishment of a nation that had almost given up hope yet suddenly sees promises fulfilled. (Psalm 126:1-3) ‘Who has begotten these for me?’ • Israel marvels at a multitude of sons and daughters she never expected to have. (Isaiah 60:4) • God alone can produce such a miracle; He is the One who “creates new things” (Isaiah 43:19) and “gives life to the dead” (Romans 4:17). • The question highlights God’s authorship of Israel’s restoration. I was bereaved and barren • “Bereaved” recalls the loss of children through exile and judgment (Lamentations 1:1-5). • “Barren” echoes Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, showing that God delights to open the womb of the hopeless (Genesis 21:1-7; 30:22-24). • The nation’s former fruitlessness contrasts with the coming abundance promised in Isaiah 54:1: “Sing, O barren woman…for more are the children of the desolate.” I was exiled and rejected • Exile to Assyria and Babylon looked like God’s final word (2 Kings 17:6; 25:11). • “Rejected” conveys the shame Israel felt among the nations (Ezekiel 36:20-23). • Yet the Lord’s covenant love remains irrevocable (Jeremiah 31:37; Romans 11:29). So who has reared them? • Israel recognizes she did not nurture this generation; God Himself preserved and prepared them among the nations. (Hosea 2:23; Zechariah 10:8-9) • Like Moses raised in Pharaoh’s court or Esther in Persia, God raises His people even in foreign lands to fulfill His purposes. (Exodus 2:10; Esther 2:7) Look, I was left all alone • The remnant felt isolated, “like a hut in a cucumber field” (Isaiah 1:8). • Loneliness never nullified God’s promises; He watched over every seed scattered abroad (Amos 9:9). So where did they come from?’ • The only logical answer: from the faithful covenant-keeping God. (Isaiah 59:21) • The surprise underscores the magnitude of end-time ingathering when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). • Gentile inclusion is also implied, as nations bring Israel’s sons and daughters home (Isaiah 49:22; 60:9). summary Isaiah 49:21 captures Israel’s stunned joy at the Lord’s future, literal regathering and multiplication of her people. Once bereaved, barren, exiled, and seemingly forgotten, the nation will recognize that God Himself has begotten, reared, and returned her children. The verse magnifies divine faithfulness, showing that no circumstance—loneliness, shame, scattering—can overturn God’s everlasting covenant or hinder the fulfillment of His Word. (21) Who hath begotten me these . . .?--Better, who hath borne . . .? The widowed daughter of Zion cannot believe that these crowding children are her own, and asks, Who then is their mother? She, the widowed one, the prisoner, dragged hither and thither, could not claim them.Verse 21. - Who hath begotten me these? The Jewish Church is astounded at the influx of the Gentiles, and asks, "Where did they come from? Who has made them my children? Who has trained them?" That they are not her natural children she is sure, since she knows that she has been for a long time "bereaved and unfruitful" (Cheyne) - a captive, and a "wanderer" (Kay). It is certain that the Jewish Church did not at first altogether welcome the incoming of the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-3; Acts 15:1-11; Galatians 2:11-14, etc.). But the guidance of the Holy Spirit surmounted the difficulty (Acts 15:28).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then you will sayוְאָמַ֣רְתְּ (wə·’ā·mart) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say in your heart, בִּלְבָבֵ֗ךְ (bil·ḇā·ḇêḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart ‘Who מִ֤י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix has begotten יָֽלַד־ (yā·laḏ-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage these for me? אֵ֔לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those I וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I was bereaved שְׁכוּלָ֖ה (šə·ḵū·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7921: To miscarry, suffer abortion, to bereave and barren; וְגַלְמוּדָ֑ה (wə·ḡal·mū·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1565: Sterile, desolate I was exiled גֹּלָ֣ה ׀ (gō·lāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 1473: Exile, exiles and rejected. וְסוּרָ֗ה (wə·sū·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside So who מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix has reared them? גִדֵּ֔ל (ḡid·dêl) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great Look, הֵ֤ן (hên) Interjection Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! I אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I was left נִשְׁאַ֣רְתִּי (niš·’ar·tî) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant all alone, לְבַדִּ֔י (lə·ḇad·dî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of so אֵ֖לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those where אֵיפֹ֥ה (’ê·p̄ōh) Interrogative Strong's 375: What place?, when?, how? did they come from?’” הֵֽם׃ (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They Links Isaiah 49:21 NIVIsaiah 49:21 NLT Isaiah 49:21 ESV Isaiah 49:21 NASB Isaiah 49:21 KJV Isaiah 49:21 BibleApps.com Isaiah 49:21 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 49:21 Chinese Bible Isaiah 49:21 French Bible Isaiah 49:21 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 49:21 Then you will say in your heart (Isa Isi Is) |
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