Isaiah 49:23 — Meaning and Application

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where {had} they {been}?

Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in {their} arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon {their} shoulders. {arms: Heb. bosom}

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. {nursing fathers: Heb. nourishers} {queens: Heb. princesses}

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? {lawful...: Heb. captivity of the just}

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. {captives: Heb. captivity}