And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

ISAIAH 49:26KJV
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Isaiah 49:26 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 49:26 mean?

Isaiah 49:26 describes a time when those who have oppressed God's people will face severe judgment, experiencing the consequences of their own actions in a dramatic and unmistakable way. The verse ends by declaring that everyone will recognize the LORD as the Savior and Redeemer, the powerful protector of Jacob's descendants.

In this verse, God is speaking through Isaiah to the people of Israel, promising deliverance from their enemies. The language is vivid and symbolic, showing that oppressors will be forced to suffer the results of their own violence. The final lines emphasize that this act of deliverance will make it clear to all people that the LORD alone saves and redeems Israel.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 49:26

  • "Oppress" (יָנָה, yanah): This word means to mistreat or act violently against someone. Its use here highlights the cruelty faced by Israel from their enemies.
  • "Redeemer" (גָּאַל, ga'al): This term refers to someone who rescues or buys back a relative in trouble. Calling God the "Redeemer" stresses His personal commitment to rescue Israel, like a family member coming to the aid of another.
  • "Drunken" (שָׁכַר, shakar): The idea of being "drunk with their own blood" uses strong imagery to show the total defeat and confusion of Israel's enemies, turning their violence back on themselves.

Why Isaiah 49:26 matters

  • This verse clears up the nature of God's justice by showing that oppressors will not escape the harm they have caused; their punishment is both fitting and unmistakable.
  • The emphasis on God as both "Saviour" and "Redeemer" connects to a larger theme in Isaiah, where God is not distant but personally involved in rescuing His people.
  • The verse ties the fate of Israel’s enemies to the recognition of God's unique power, making it clear that Israel's deliverance will be so striking that everyone will know it comes from the LORD.

Where else these words appear

“wine” Hebrew H6071 · used in 5 verses

  • Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
  • Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
  • Joel 3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

“One” Hebrew H46 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Psalms 132:2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
  • Isaiah 1:24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

“drunken” Hebrew H7937 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
  • Jeremiah 51:39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

“oppress” Hebrew H3238 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
  • Ezekiel 18:12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,