Isa 49:5-6 | NETfull | STEP | So now the Lord says, the one who formed me from birth to be his servant – he did this to restore Jacob to himself, so that Israel might be gathered to him; and I will be honored in the Lord ’s sight, for my God is my source of strength

Isaiah 49:5-6

5 So now the Lord says,
the one who formed me from birth ^{▼▼ Heb “from the womb” (so KJV, NASB).} to be his servant –
he did this ^{▼▼ The words “he did this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text the infinitive construct of purpose is subordinated to the previous statement.} to restore Jacob to himself,
so that Israel might be gathered to him;
and I will be honored ^{▼▼ The vav (ו) + imperfect is translated here as a result clause; one might interpret it as indicating purpose, “and so I might be honored.”} in the Lord’s sight,
for my God is my source of strength ^{▼▼ Heb “and my God is [perhaps, “having been”] my strength.” The disjunctive structure (vav [ו] + subject + verb) is interpreted here as indicating a causal circumstantial clause.} –
6 he says, “Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant,
to reestablish the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the remnant ^{▼▼ Heb “the protected [or “preserved”] ones.”} of Israel? ^{▼▼ The question is purely rhetorical; it does not imply that the servant was dissatisfied with his commission or that he minimized the restoration of Israel.}
I will make you a light to the nations, ^{▼▼ See the note at 42:6.}
so you can bring ^{▼▼ Heb “be” (so KJV, ASV); CEV “you must take.”} my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth.”