Isaiah 49:15
New International Version
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

New Living Translation
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!

English Standard Version
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Berean Standard Bible
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

King James Bible
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

New King James Version
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.

New American Standard Bible
“Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

NASB 1995
“Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

NASB 1977
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Can a woman forget her infant And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

Amplified Bible
[The LORD answered] “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

Christian Standard Bible
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.

American Standard Version
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD answered, "Could a mother forget a child who nurses at her breast? Could she fail to love an infant who came from her own body? Even if a mother could forget, I will never forget you.

English Revised Version
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you.

Good News Translation
So the LORD answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.

International Standard Version
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, or have no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these mothers may forget; But as for me, I'll never forget you!

Majority Standard Bible
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!

NET Bible
Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast? Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne? Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you!

New Heart English Bible
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.

World English Bible
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Does a woman forget her suckling, "" The loved one—the son of her womb? Indeed, these forget—but I do not forget you.

Young's Literal Translation
Forget doth a woman her suckling, The loved one -- the son of her womb? Yea, these forget -- but I -- I forget not thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall a woman forget her child, from pitying the son of her womb? also these shall forget, and I shall not forget thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to take pity on the child of her womb? But even if she would forget, still I shall never forget you.

New American Bible
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.

New Revised Standard Version
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, but I will not forget you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If a woman forgets her infant and does not love on a son of her womb, even if these forget, I shall not forget you!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Can a woman forget her sucking child, That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, these may forget, Yet will not I forget thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Will a woman forget her child, so as not to have compassion upon the offspring of her womb? but if a woman should even forget these, yet I will not forget thee, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
You are My Servant
14But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” 15“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! 16Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.…

Cross References
Psalm 27:10
Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Matthew 7:11
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Hosea 11:8
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

Luke 11:13
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Jeremiah 31:20
Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Deuteronomy 32:10-11
He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye. / As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them and carried them on His pinions.

John 16:27
For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.

Zechariah 2:8
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...

Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Exodus 34:6
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.


Treasury of Scripture

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget you.

a woman

1 Kings 3:26,27
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it

Psalm 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Malachi 3:17
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

that she should not have compassion.

Leviticus 26:29
And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.

Deuteronomy 28:56,57
The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, …

2 Kings 6:28,29
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow…

yet

Isaiah 44:21
Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Jeremiah 31:20
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Hosea 11:1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

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Baby Borne Breast Child Compassion Forget Fruit Loved Memory Mother Nursing Pity Sucking Suckling Womb
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Baby Borne Breast Child Compassion Forget Fruit Loved Memory Mother Nursing Pity Sucking Suckling Womb
Isaiah 49
1. Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them
5. He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises
13. God's love is perpetual to his church
18. The ample restoration of the church
24. The powerful deliverance out of captivity














Can a woman forget her nursing child
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question that draws on the deep, instinctual bond between a mother and her child. The Hebrew word for "forget" is "שָׁכַח" (shakach), which implies a lapse in memory or attention. In ancient Israel, the image of a nursing mother was a powerful symbol of care and nurturing. The question suggests the improbability of a mother forgetting her child, emphasizing the natural, almost unbreakable connection. This sets the stage for understanding God's even greater commitment to His people.

or lack compassion for the son of her womb?
The phrase "lack compassion" translates from the Hebrew "רָחַם" (racham), which means to have mercy or show deep love. The "son of her womb" highlights the intimate relationship and the natural compassion a mother has for her child. In the cultural context of the Bible, a mother's compassion was one of the strongest human emotions, often used to illustrate God's tender care and mercy. This comparison underscores the depth of God's love, suggesting that even if human love fails, divine love remains steadfast.

Even if she could forget
Here, the text acknowledges the remote possibility of a mother forgetting her child, which serves to heighten the contrast with God's nature. The hypothetical scenario is meant to illustrate the limits of human love and reliability. In the ancient world, where survival often depended on family bonds, the idea of a mother forgetting her child would be shocking, thus reinforcing the message of God's unfailing remembrance.

I will not forget you!
This declaration is the climax of the verse, where God affirms His unwavering commitment to His people. The Hebrew word for "forget" is again "שָׁכַח" (shakach), but here it is used to emphasize God's promise. Unlike human relationships, which can falter, God's relationship with His people is eternal and unchanging. This assurance would have been particularly comforting to the Israelites, who faced exile and uncertainty. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant faithfulness, a theme that runs throughout the Bible, assuring believers of His constant presence and care.

(15) Can a woman forget . . .?--The love of Jehovah for His chosen ones is more than that of a father, more tender and unchangeable even than the maternal love which exists often in the most depraved. Even that may perish, but not so His pitying affection.

Verse 15. - Can a woman forget?.... yea, they may forget. In the siege of Samaria by Benhadad, King of Syria, a mother, we are told (2 Kings 6:28, 29), boiled her son for food. In the last siege of Jerusalem similar horrors are reported (Joseph., 'Bell. Jud.,' 6:03, 4). Mothers have even been known in England who have forced their tender and innocent daughters to commit deadly sin. Yet will I not forget, The love of God surpasses that of either father or mother. "When my father and my mother forsake me," says David, "then the Lord will take me up" (Psalm 27:10). "God is love" (1 John 4:8) in his very essence; and his infinite love is deeper, tenderer, truer, than finite love can ever be. Still, that which is nearest to it upon earth is, doubtless, the love of a mother for her children (see Isaiah 66:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Can a woman
אִשָּׁה֙ (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

forget
הֲתִשְׁכַּ֤ח (hă·ṯiš·kaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

her nursing child,
עוּלָ֔הּ (‘ū·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5764: A sucking child, suckling

or lack compassion
מֵרַחֵ֖ם (mê·ra·ḥêm)
Preposition-m | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

for the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of her womb?
בִּטְנָ֑הּ (biṭ·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything

Though
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

she
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

may forget,
תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה (ṯiš·kaḥ·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

I will
וְאָנֹכִ֖י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

forget you!
אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽךְ׃ (’eš·kā·ḥêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 49:14
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