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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant. Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
- KJV Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
- NKJV “Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!
- NASB ¶“Remember these things, Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant, Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.
- NLT “Pay attention, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God tells Jacob to remember that he is God's servant, formed by Him and never to be forgotten. It reassures the people of their secure place in God's care.
Overview
Against the futility of idols, God reminds Israel of their identity as His servant. He formed them and pledges never to forget them. This covenant faithfulness, that God will not forget His own, is fulfilled in Christ, who holds His servants securely and forever.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Isa 44:1–2But now listen, O Jacob My servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.
- Isa 49:15–16“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!
- Zech 10:9Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in distant lands; they and their children will live and return.
- Isa 43:15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King.”
- Isa 46:8–9Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!
- Isa 43:1Now this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
- Rom 11:28–29Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.
- Deut 4:23Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
- Deut 32:18You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
- Isa 42:23Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter?
- Isa 43:7everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”
- Isa 41:8–9“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—
- Deut 31:19–21Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.
- Deut 4:9Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 44:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.