Isaiah 41:14

“Fear not, thou worm Jacob, &c.] Being like a worm, exposed to danger, and liable to be trampled upon and crushed, mean and despicable in their own eyes, and in the esteem of others; and it may be Jacob, or the true Israelites, are so called, because of their impurity in themselves, of which they are sensible; and chiefly because of their weakness and impotence to defend themselves, and resist their enemies. It is an observation of Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, that the strength of a worm lies in its mouth, which, though tender, can strike the strongest cedar, and penetrate into it; and the latter observes, that the strength of Israel lies in their prayers, as Jacob’s did, when, wrestling…”

“worm--in a state of contempt and affliction, whom all loathe and tread on, the very expression which Messiah, on the cross, applies to Himself (Psa 22:6), so completely are the Lord and His people identified and assimilated. God's people are as 'worms' in humble thoughts of themselves, and in their enemies' haughty thoughts of them; worms, but not vipers, or of the serpent's seed." [HENRY]. men--The parallelism requires the word "men" here to have associated with it the idea of fewness or feebleness. LOWTH translates, "Ye mortals of Israel." The Septuagint, "altogether diminutive." MAURER supports English Version, which the Hebrew text best accord with. the Lord--in general. and thy…”

“Fear not - (See the note at Isaiah 41:10). Thou worm - This word is properly applied as it is with us, to denote a worm, such as is generated in putrid substances Exodus 16:20; Isaiah 14:11; Isaiah 66:24; or such as destroy plants Jonah 4:7; Deuteronomy 28:39. It is used also to describe a person that is poor, afflicted, and an object of insignificance Job 25:5-6 : Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; Yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm; And the son of man which is a worm? And in Psalms 22:6 : But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. In the passage before us, it is applied to the Jews in Babylon as poor and…”

“Thou worm - Who art weak in thyself, and trodden under foot by thy proud enemies. Isaiah 41:15”

“41:14 In exile, Israel was in a lowly state. • God is the Redeemer. He works mightily to rescue and restore people from sin and its consequences (for Israel, the Exile; for application to Jesus, see Luke 2:38; 21:28; Rom 3:24; 1 Cor 1:30; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:1-14; Titus 2:14; Heb 9:12).”

“thou worm: Job 25:6; Psa 22:6 men: or, few men, Deu 7:7; Mat 7:14; Luk 12:32; Rom 9:27 saith: Isa 43:14, Isa 44:6, Isa 44:24, Isa 47:4, Isa 48:17, Isa 49:7, Isa 49:26, Isa 54:5, Isa 54:8, Isa 59:20, Isa 60:16, Isa 63:16; Job 19:25; Psa 19:14; Jer 50:34; Gal 3:13; Tit 2:14; Rev 5:9 Isaiah 41:15”

“The consolatory words, "Fear not," are now repeated, for the purpose of once more adding the promise that Israel will not succumb to its foes, but will acquire power over its enemies. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and handful Israel: I will help thee, saith Jehovah; and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I have made thee a threshing roller, a sharp new one, with double edges: thou wilt thresh mountains, and pound them; and hills thou wilt make like chaff. Thou wilt winnow them, and wind carries them away, and tempest scatters them: and thou wilt rejoice in Jehovah, and glory in the Holy One of Israel." Israel, which is now helplessly oppressed, is called "worm of Jacob" (gen.…”