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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/49-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_49_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 49:23 - You are My Servant" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. 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They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/isaiah/49.htm">New Living Translation</a> Kings and queens will serve you and care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who trust in me will never be put to shame.” <a href="/esv/isaiah/49.htm">English Standard Version</a> Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” <a href="/bsb/isaiah/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.” <a href="/kjv/isaiah/49.htm">King James Bible</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/49.htm">New King James Version</a> Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.” <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground And lick the dust from your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. <a href="/nasb/isaiah/49.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. <a href="/lsb/isaiah/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am Yahweh; Those who hope in Me will not be put to shame. <a href="/amp/isaiah/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Kings will be your attendants, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you shall know [with an understanding based on personal experience] that I am the LORD; For they shall not be put to shame who wait and hope expectantly for Me. <a href="/csb/isaiah/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Kings will be your guardians and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who put their hope in me will not be put to shame. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground, and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am Yahweh; those who put their hope in Me will not be put to shame. <a href="/asv/isaiah/49.htm">American Standard Version</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame. <a href="/cev/isaiah/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The kings and queens of those nations where they were raised will come and bow down. They will take care of you just like a slave taking care of a child. Then you will know that I am the LORD. You won't be disappointed if you trust me." <a href="/erv/isaiah/49.htm">English Revised Version</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and they that wait for me shall not be ashamed. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens will nurse you. They will bow in front of you with their faces touching the ground. They will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who wait with hope for me will not be put to shame. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/49.htm">Good News Translation</a> Kings will be like fathers to you; queens will be like mothers. They will bow low before you and honor you; they will humbly show their respect for you. Then you will know that I am the LORD; no one who waits for my help will be disappointed." <a href="/isv/isaiah/49.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Oh, yes! Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens will be your nursing mothers. They will bow to you with their faces to the ground, and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. <a href="/msb/isaiah/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.? <a href="/net/isaiah/49.htm">NET Bible</a> Kings will be your children's guardians; their princesses will nurse your children. With their faces to the ground they will bow down to you and they will lick the dirt on your feet. Then you will recognize that I am the LORD; those who wait patiently for me are not put to shame. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD; and those who wait for me shall not be disappointed." <a href="/wbt/isaiah/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. <a href="/web/isaiah/49.htm">World English Bible</a> Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am Yahweh; and those who wait for me won’t be disappointed.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And kings have been your nursing fathers, "" And their princesses—your nursing mothers; Face to the earth—they bow down to you, "" And they lick up the dust of your feet, "" And you have known that I [am] YHWH, "" That those expecting Me are not ashamed.” <a href="/ylt/isaiah/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And kings have been thy nursing fathers, And their princesses thy nursing mothers; Face to the earth -- they bow down to thee, And the dust of thy feet they lick up, And thou hast known that I am Jehovah, That those expecting Me are not ashamed. <a href="/slt/isaiah/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And kings were thy supporters, and princesses thy nurses: their faces to the earth they shall worship to thee, and the dust of thy feet shall they lick up; and thou knewest that I Jehovah, that they shall not be ashamed waiting for me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nurses: they shall worship thee with their face toward the earth, and they shall lick up the dust of thy feet. And thou shalt know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be confounded that wait for him. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And kings will be your caretakers, and queens will be your nursemaids. They will reverence you with their face to the ground, and they will lick the dust at your feet. And you will know that I am the Lord. For those who hope in him will not be confounded. <a href="/nabre/isaiah/49.htm">New American Bible</a> Kings shall be your guardians, their princesses your nursemaids; Face to the ground, they shall bow down before you and lick the dust at your feet. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, none who hope in me shall be ashamed. <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; they shall bow down to you with their faces to the ground and shall lick the dust off your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD; for they who wait for me shall not be ashamed. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Kings shall be your foster fathers and their Princesses your wet nurses, and upon their faces on the ground they shall worship you, and the dust of your feet they shall lick. And you shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH, that those who wait for me are not ashamed<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And kings shall be thy foster-fathers, And their queens thy nursing mothers; They shall bow down to thee with their face to the earth, And lick the dust of thy feet; And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me. <a href="/sep/isaiah/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their princesses thy nurses, they shall bow down to thee on the face of the earth, and shall lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, and they that wait on me shall not be ashamed. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/49-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=11173" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/49.htm">You are My Servant</a> …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. 23<a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mə·lā·ḵîm (N-mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">Kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: ’ō·mə·na·yiḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2fs) -- To confirm, support. ">your foster fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8282.htm" title="8282: wə·śā·rō·w·ṯê·hem (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Princess, noble lady. Feminine of sar; a mistress, i.e. Female noble.">and their queens</a> <a href="/hebrew/3243.htm" title="3243: mê·nî·qō·ṯa·yiḵ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-fpc:: 2fs) -- To suck. A primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk.">your nursing mothers.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: yiš·ta·ḥă·wū (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">They will bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pa·yim (N-md) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">facedown</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3897.htm" title="3897: yə·la·ḥê·ḵū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To lick. A primitive root; to lick.">and lick</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: wa·‘ă·p̄ar (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·la·yiḵ (N-fdc:: 2fs) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">at your feet.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·yā·ḏa·‘at (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2fs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">Then you will know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">am the LORD;</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">those who</a> <a href="/hebrew/6960.htm" title="6960: qō·wāy (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- To bind together, collect, to expect. A primitive root; to bind together, i.e. Collect; to expect.">hope in Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will never</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: yê·ḇō·šū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">be put to shame.”</a> 24Can the plunder be snatched from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/3-9.htm">Revelation 3:9</a> As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you. <a href="/psalms/72-11.htm">Psalm 72:11</a> May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. <a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Isaiah 60:14</a> The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/isaiah/60-16.htm">Isaiah 60:16</a> You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. <a href="/revelation/21-24.htm">Revelation 21:24</a> By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory. <a href="/psalms/2-10.htm">Psalm 2:10-12</a> Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth. / Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. / Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. <a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Isaiah 45:14</a> This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’” <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Isaiah 45:23</a> By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a> They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You. <a href="/zechariah/8-23.htm">Zechariah 8:23</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” <a href="/revelation/22-5.htm">Revelation 22:5</a> There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever. <a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">Isaiah 14:1-2</a> For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. / The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors. <a href="/isaiah/61-6.htm">Isaiah 61:6</a> But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. <a href="/isaiah/66-12.htm">Isaiah 66:12</a> For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees. <a href="/1_peter/2-6.htm">1 Peter 2:6</a> For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers: they shall bow down to you with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.king.<a href="/isaiah/49-7.htm">Isaiah 49:7</a> Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.<a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Isaiah 52:15</a> So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.<a href="/isaiah/60-3.htm">Isaiah 60:3,10,11,16</a> And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising… nursing fathers.<a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12</a> Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.queens.<a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Isaiah 45:14</a> Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.<a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Isaiah 60:14</a> The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.<a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Genesis 43:26</a> And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.lick up<a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a> They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.for they<a href="/isaiah/25-9.htm">Isaiah 25:9</a> And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.<a href="/isaiah/64-4.htm">Isaiah 64:4</a> For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.<a href="/psalms/25-3.htm">Psalm 25:3</a> Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/45-24.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-24.htm">Disappointed</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-19.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-13.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-6.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-5.htm">Guardians</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Hopefully</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-7.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-7.htm">Nurses</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Nursing</a> <a href="/esther/1-18.htm">Princesses</a> <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Queens</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-13.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/50-7.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-23.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-7.htm">Disappointed</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-2.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-6.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-7.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">Guardians</a> <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Hopefully</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-3.htm">Mothers</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-7.htm">Nurses</a> <a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Nursing</a> <a href="/judges/5-29.htm">Princesses</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-9.htm">Queens</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-5.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 49</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them</a> 5. <a href="/isaiah/49-5.htm">He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises</a> 13. <a href="/isaiah/49-13.htm">God's love is perpetual to his church</a> 18. <a href="/isaiah/49-18.htm">The ample restoration of the church</a> 24. <a href="/isaiah/49-24.htm">The powerful deliverance out of captivity</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Kings will be your foster fathers This phrase indicates a reversal of roles where the powerful and influential, represented by kings, will serve and support God's people. Historically, this reflects the period of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return under Persian rule, where foreign kings like Cyrus played a role in the restoration of Israel (<a href="/ezra/1.htm">Ezra 1:1-4</a>). It also foreshadows the future Messianic kingdom where earthly rulers will acknowledge the sovereignty of God and His people.and their queens your nursing mothers Queens, often seen as figures of nurturing and care, will provide sustenance and support. This imagery suggests a complete transformation in the relationship between Israel and the nations, where those who were once oppressors become caretakers. It highlights the nurturing role of Gentile nations in the restoration and growth of Israel, as seen in the support given by Persian queens like Esther.They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet This phrase signifies total submission and reverence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, bowing facedown and licking the dust were acts of deep humility and acknowledgment of superiority. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9</a> and <a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a>, where nations submit to God's chosen people. It points to the ultimate victory and vindication of God's people in the eschatological future.Then you will know that I am the LORD This statement emphasizes the recognition of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Throughout the Bible, knowing the LORD is associated with experiencing His power and deliverance (<a href="/exodus/6-7.htm">Exodus 6:7</a>). This knowledge comes through witnessing God's promises fulfilled, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.those who hope in Me will never be put to shame This assurance is a recurring theme in scripture, affirming that trust in God leads to vindication and honor (<a href="/psalms/25-3.htm">Psalm 25:3</a>, <a href="/romans/10-11.htm">Romans 10:11</a>). It contrasts the temporary shame of exile with the eternal honor of restoration. This promise is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies the hope and salvation of God's people, ensuring that those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/kings_and_queens.htm">Kings and Queens</a> Symbolic of powerful leaders and nations who will serve and honor God's people, indicating a reversal of roles where the mighty serve the humble. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecy, representing God's chosen people who will be vindicated and honored. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who promises deliverance and honor to His people. 4. <a href="/topical/s/servitude_and_honor.htm">Servitude and Honor</a> The event of kings and queens serving Israel signifies the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His promises. 5. <a href="/topical/h/hope_and_shame.htm">Hope and Shame</a> The assurance that those who place their hope in the LORD will not be disappointed, highlighting God's faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> God can turn the hearts of kings and rulers to serve His purposes and honor His people. <a href="/topical/r/reversal_of_fortunes.htm">Reversal of Fortunes</a> God's justice will ultimately prevail, and those who have been oppressed will be lifted up. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a> Trusting in God assures us that we will not be put to shame, as He is faithful to fulfill His promises. <a href="/topical/h/humility_and_honor.htm">Humility and Honor</a> True honor comes from God, and even the mightiest will acknowledge His chosen ones. <a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_faith.htm">Endurance in Faith</a> Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their hope, knowing that God's timing and plans are perfect.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 49</a> <a href="/q/what_was_issachar's_role_among_jacob's_sons.htm">Who was Naphtali in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_believers_face_shame_if_god_protects.htm">Psalm 25:3 – If “no one who hopes in God will ever be put to shame,” why do dedicated followers experience persecution and public disgrace? </a> <a href="/q/is_there_a_mother_god_deity.htm">Is there a female deity called Mother God?</a> <a href="/q/is_isaiah_49_23_historical_or_metaphorical.htm">Isaiah 49:23 envisions kings bowing to Israel--can this be historically validated or is it purely metaphorical myth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) Kings shall be thy nursing fathers . . .--As a rule kings gave their children to be brought up by their nobles (<a href="/2_kings/10-5.htm" title="And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are your servants, and will do all that you shall bid us; we will not make any king: do you that which is good in your eyes.">2Kings 10:5</a>). Zion should have kings themselves and their queens to rear her children. They shall bow down to her, the true Israel, the true Ecclesia, as the dwelling-place of Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; or, thy foster-fathers... thy foster-mothers. Kings and queens (sultanas) shall put themselves at the disposal of the Church, to nourish and cherish such of the Church's children as may be entrusted to their care. They shall bow down. They shall not seek to lord it over the Church, but shall acknowledge in the officers of the Church a spiritual authority superior to their own, before which they shall "bow down," as Theodosius did. They shall even be willing, when they are conscious of guilt, to "lick the dust" under the Church's feet, or subject themselves to deep humiliation, that they may be restored. They shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Such as wait patiently and trust in the fulfilment of all these gracious promises shall escape shame, for the promises will assuredly be fulfilled. <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/49-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Kings מְלָכִ֜ים (mə·lā·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king will be וְהָי֨וּ (wə·hā·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be your foster fathers, אֹֽמְנַ֗יִךְ (’ō·mə·na·yiḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> To confirm, support and their queens וְשָׂרֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ (wə·śā·rō·w·ṯê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8282.htm">Strong's 8282: </a> A mistress, female noble your nursing mothers. מֵינִ֣יקֹתַ֔יִךְ (mê·nî·qō·ṯa·yiḵ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3243.htm">Strong's 3243: </a> To suck, to give milk They will bow to you יִשְׁתַּ֣חֲווּ (yiš·ta·ḥă·wū) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate facedown אַפַּ֗יִם (’ap·pa·yim) Noun - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire and lick יְלַחֵ֑כוּ (yə·la·ḥê·ḵū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3897.htm">Strong's 3897: </a> To lick the dust וַעֲפַ֥ר (wa·‘ă·p̄ar) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud at your feet. רַגְלַ֖יִךְ (raḡ·la·yiḵ) Noun - fdc | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> A foot, a step, the pudenda Then you will know וְיָדַ֙עַתְּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏa·‘at) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I am the LORD; יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel those who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that hope in Me קוָֹֽי׃ (qō·wāy) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6960.htm">Strong's 6960: </a> To bind together, collect, to expect will never לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no be put to shame.” יֵבֹ֖שׁוּ (yê·ḇō·šū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 49:23 Kings shall be your nursing fathers (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/49-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 49:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 49:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/49-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 49:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 49:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>