Isaiah 49:2 He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.

◄ Isaiah 49:2 ►

New International Version
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.

New Living Translation
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.

English Standard Version
He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.

Berean Standard Bible
He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.

King James Bible
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

New King James Version
And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.”

New American Standard Bible
He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a sharpened arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.

NASB 1995
He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.

NASB 1977
And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me, And He has also made Me a select arrow; He has hidden Me in His quiver.

Legacy Standard Bible
He has set My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also set Me as a select arrow; He has hidden Me in His quiver.

Amplified Bible
He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has kept Me hidden; And He has made Me a sharpened arrow, In His quiver He has hidden Me.

Christian Standard Bible
He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He made my words like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow of His hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; He hid me in His quiver.

American Standard Version
and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me: and he hath made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he kept me close:

Contemporary English Version
He made my words pierce like a sharp sword or a pointed arrow; he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand.

English Revised Version
and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me; and he hath made me a polished shaft, in his quiver hath he kept me close:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He made my tongue like a sharp sword and hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver.

Good News Translation
He made my words as sharp as a sword. With his own hand he protected me. He made me like an arrow, sharp and ready for use.

International Standard Version
He made my mouth like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hands. He made me like a polished arrow and hid me away in his quivers.

Majority Standard Bible
He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.

NET Bible
He made my mouth like a sharp sword, he hid me in the hollow of his hand; he made me like a sharpened arrow, he hid me in his quiver.

New Heart English Bible
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me; and he has made me a polished arrow, in his quiver has he kept me close:

Webster's Bible Translation
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shade of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

World English Bible
He has made my mouth like a sharp sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. He has made me a polished shaft. He has kept me close in his quiver.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And He makes My mouth as a sharp sword, "" He has hid Me in the shadow of His hand, "" And He makes Me for a clear arrow, "" He has hid Me in His quiver.

Young's Literal Translation
And he maketh my mouth as a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He hath hid me, And He maketh me for a clear arrow, In His quiver He hath hid me.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he set my mouth as a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me, and he will set me for a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he hath hidden me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he has appointed my mouth as a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand, he has protected me. And he has appointed me as an elect arrow. In his quiver, he has hidden me.

New American Bible
He made my mouth like a sharp-edged sword, concealed me, shielded by his hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, in his quiver he hid me.

New Revised Standard Version
He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me and made me a chosen arrow; in his quiver has he hid me,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He made my mouth as a sharp sword and in the shadow of his hand he concealed me. He has made me as a choice arrow and in his quiver he hid me

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand hath He hid me; And He hath made me a polished shaft, In His quiver hath He concealed me;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and he has made my mouth as a sharp sword, and he has hid me under the shadow of his hand; he has made me as a choice shaft, and he has hid me in his quiver;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

You are My Servant
1Listen to Me, O islands; pay attention, O distant peoples: The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me. 2He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver. 3He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Revelation 1:16
He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Jeremiah 1:9-10
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. / See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

Psalm 45:3-5
Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor. / In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds. / Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Hosea 6:5
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

Matthew 10:34
Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.

Psalm 64:3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

Isaiah 51:16
I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Jeremiah 5:14
Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.

Treasury of Scripture

And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me;

he hath made

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Psalm 45:2-5
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever…

Hosea 6:5
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

in the

Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 51:16
And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

made me.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; …

Psalm 45:5
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

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Isaiah 49

1. Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them
5. 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

Berean Study Bible

He made my mouth like a sharp sword
This phrase begins with the imagery of a "sharp sword," which in Hebrew is "חֶרֶב חַדָּה" (cherev chadah). The sword is a common biblical metaphor for the Word of God, as seen in Hebrews 4:12, where the Word is described as "sharper than any double-edged sword." In the context of Isaiah, this suggests that the Servant's words are powerful and penetrating, capable of cutting through deception and falsehood. Historically, swords were not only weapons of war but also symbols of authority and judgment. The Servant's mouth being likened to a sharp sword indicates the divine authority and effectiveness of his message, which will accomplish God's purposes with precision and power.

He hid me in the shadow of His hand
The phrase "in the shadow of His hand" conveys protection and concealment. The Hebrew word for "shadow" is "צֵל" (tsel), which often symbolizes God's protective presence, as seen in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." This imagery suggests that the Servant is under God's divine protection and guidance, hidden until the appointed time for his mission. Historically, the hand is a symbol of power and action, indicating that the Servant is both protected by and instrumental in God's sovereign plan.

He made me a polished arrow
The "polished arrow" in Hebrew is "חֵץ בָּרוּר" (chets barur). An arrow, like a sword, is a weapon, but it is used for long-range targets, suggesting precision and purpose. A polished arrow is one that is carefully crafted and prepared for its task, indicating that the Servant is uniquely equipped and refined for his mission. The polishing process implies a period of preparation and refinement, which can be seen as a metaphor for the trials and experiences that prepare the Servant for his role. In the historical context, arrows were essential for warfare and hunting, symbolizing the Servant's role in God's strategic plan to reach distant nations with His message.

He concealed me in His quiver
The "quiver" is a case for holding arrows, and in Hebrew, it is "אַשְׁפָּה" (ashpah). The act of concealing the Servant in God's quiver suggests readiness and waiting for the right moment to be deployed. This implies that the Servant is part of God's strategic reserve, prepared for a specific time and purpose. The concealment also indicates that the Servant's mission is not immediately apparent to the world but will be revealed in God's perfect timing. Historically, a quiver full of arrows was a sign of strength and preparedness, reinforcing the idea that the Servant is an integral part of God's plan to achieve His purposes on earth.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword.--The words indicate at once the spiritual nature of the "Servant's" victories. It is his speech that wounds and heals, his words that go like winged arrows to their mark. The description finds an echo in Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 19:15; Ephesians 6:17. The "shaft" is "polished," as piercing without impediment. It is "hid in the quiver," reserved, in the drama of the world's history, and in each crisis of the Servant's life, till the "hour was come," the appointed "fulness of time" (John 2:4; John 7:6; Galatians 4:4). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews says that "the Word of God" generally "is... sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow" (Hebrews 4:12). Christian experience testifies that tiffs keen, searching, cutting power attaches in an especial way to the sayings of Jesus, which pierce the heart as no other words can do, and rankle in the soul, which is quite unable to forget them. The imagery recurs in the Revelation of St. John (John 1:16; John 2:12, 16; John 19:15, 21). In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me. Either keeping him safe from the malice of his enemies, or reserving him until, "in the fulness of time," it would be fitting to reveal him to the world. And made me a polished shaft, A weapon even keener than a sword, smoothed and polished, so as to make it pierce the deeper, and kept hid in God's quiver until the time came when it could be launched with most effect against the hearts of ungodly men.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

He made
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

my mouth
פִּי֙ (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

like a sharp
חַדָּ֔ה (ḥad·dāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2299: Sharp

sword;
כְּחֶ֣רֶב (kə·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

He hid me
הֶחְבִּיאָ֑נִי (heḥ·bî·’ā·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

in the shadow
בְּצֵ֥ל (bə·ṣêl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6738: A shadow

of His hand.
יָד֖וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

He made me
וַיְשִׂימֵ֙נִי֙ (way·śî·mê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

like a polished
בָּר֔וּר (bā·rūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1305: To clarify, examine, select

arrow;
לְחֵ֣ץ (lə·ḥêṣ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

He hid
הִסְתִּירָֽנִי׃ (his·tî·rā·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal

me in His quiver.
בְּאַשְׁפָּת֖וֹ (bə·’aš·pā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 827: A quiver (for arrows)

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 49:2 And he has made my mouth like (Isa Isi Is)