Some servants inscribed the names of their masters on their hands in Isaiah"s day, but masters did not write the names of their servants on their hands. Yet Yahweh had written (lit. engraved, cf. Ezekiel 4:1) the name of Zion on His palms so that He would not forget her, but be reminded of her frequently. The profile (skyline) of the city was constantly in His thoughts. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Isaiah 49:14-26 - The Lord Cannot Forget His Own
These assurances were given to the chosen race on the eve of their return from Babylon. They were timid and reluctant to quit the familiar scenes of their captivity; they dreaded the dangers and privations of their way home, and questioned whether the great empire of their captors would ever let them go or allow their city to rise from its ruins. Therefore the Lord's voice takes on a tone of unusual persuasiveness. Let us ponder His assurances of compassion and comfort, Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 49:15-16.
He will lead us with a shepherd's care, Isaiah 49:10. He will make obstacles subserve His purpose, Isaiah 49:11. His love is more than motherhood, Isaiah 49:15. He treasures the remembrance of His own, Isaiah 49:16. Zion thinks herself cast away as a derelict, Isaiah 49:14, but such is not the case. Even her broken walls are ever before God, with a view to their rebuilding, Isaiah 49:19, etc. God's love is stronger than our strongest enemies, Isaiah 49:25, etc. Let us hide in it, standing above the fears that compose the cloudland of our soul, in the upper peaks of a strong faith. [source]
Chapter Summary: Isaiah 49
1Christ being sent to the Jews, complains of them 5He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises 13God's love is perpetual to his church 18The ample restoration of the church 24The powerful deliverance out of captivity
What do the individual words in Isaiah 49:16 mean?
Seeonthe palms [of My hands]I have inscribed youYour walls [are]before Mecontinually
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular, second person feminine singular
Root: חָקַק
Sense: to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern.