Isaiah 44:5

One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD,’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — The prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Israel following a promise of widespread spiritual restoration. This declaration occurs at a transitional moment between a vision of renewal and a direct assertion of Yahweh’s exclusive sovereignty.

The words — יֹאמַר (yo.mar) translates literally as “he will say,” and יִקְרָא (yik.ra) means “he will call out.” These verbs anchor the verse’s description of verbal and written declarations of loyalty.

The thread — The physical marking of devotion echoes Exodus 13:9, which commands a sign on the hand as a reminder of God’s Law. The verbal profession of belonging mirrors the covenantal declarations in Deuteronomy 26:17 and the refining process described in Zechariah 13:9.

Why it lands — The text commands a public, tangible identification with Yahweh, the patriarchal name Jacob, and the corporate identity of Israel. It requires readers to adopt these specific markers as concrete expressions of allegiance rather than internal feelings.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

זֶ֤הzehthis one יֹאמַר֙yo.Marhe will say לַֽיהוָ֣הla./Yah.weh[belong] to/ Yahweh אָ֔נִי'A.niI וְזֶ֖הve./Zehand/ this one יִקְרָ֣אyik.Ra'he will call out בְשֵֽׁם־ve./shem-with/ [the] name of יַעֲקֹ֑בya.'a.KoJacob וְזֶ֗הve./Zehand/ this one יִכְתֹּ֤בyikh.Tohe will write יָדוֹ֙ya.D/ohand/ his לַֽיהוָ֔הla./Yah.weh[belongs] to/ Yahweh וּבְשֵׁ֥םu./ve./Shemand/ with/ [the] name of יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElIsrael יְכַנֶּֽה׃ פye.kha.Nehhe will name

King James Version

One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

Cross-references

Zechariah 13:9 This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
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.
Deuteronomy 26:17 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes and commandments and ordinances, and listen to His voice.
Nehemiah 9:38 In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”
2 Corinthians 8:5 And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.
Galatians 6:16 Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Psalms 116:16 Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
Micah 4:2 And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 8:20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities—