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Isaiah 49 · a question people ask

Who are "the mighty" and "those who oppress you" in 49:24-26?

In the text

The chapter doesn't name them. It asks, "Shall the plunder be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?" (49:24), and the LORD answers, "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the plunder retrieved from the fierce, for I will contend with him who contends with you and I will save your children" (49:25). You here is Zion, whom the LORD has been answering since 49:14. The last verse says, "I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they will be drunk on their own blood, as with sweet wine" (49:26), and goes on, "Then all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob" (49:26). These notes name no one the chapter doesn't name, and apply the verses to no nation, people, ruler or conflict today.

The verses

“But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.””
Isaiah 49:14 · World English Bible
“Shall the plunder be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered? But the LORD says, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the plunder retrieved from the fierce, for I will contend with him who contends with you and I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they will be drunk on their own blood, as with sweet wine. Then all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.””
Isaiah 49:24-26 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49: A light to the nations

The servant of 49:1-6 is named "Israel" (49:3), sent to bring Jacob back (49:5) and given "as a light to the nations" (49:6), and Christians read who he is in more than one way. And to Zion's "the Lord has forgotten me" (49:14) the LORD says, "these may forget, yet I will not forget you!" (49:15).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions