Why does God call Jacob a worm in Isaiah 41:14?

Response

Isaiah 41:14 declares, “Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, insignificant Israel, do not fear, for I myself will assist you,” proclaims the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” It’s a remarkable pledge paired with a less than flattering form of address. Jacob (meaning the people of Israel) is referred to as a worm.

Worms are small, and worms are humble. This is the most apparent comparison made in Isaiah 41:14 between Israel and the worm. By themselves, the children of Israel possessed no strength or majesty. They would be easily crushed by other nations just as one would crush a worm. However, God assures deliverance to His people, safeguarding them from their adversaries, and ensuring victory in the end. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (verse 10). Israel’s foes will be defeated: “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish” (verse 11). Despite being merely a worm, a symbol of insignificance, the Lord God Almighty stands by their side.

It is intriguing to examine the Hebrew term translated as “worm” in Isaiah 41:14. In Hebrew, it is tola, and it can be accurately translated in two ways: either as “worm” or as “scarlet material.” The context determines the interpretation. In Lamentations 4:5, a variation of the same word denotes fine scarlet clothing.

The “worm” mentioned is commonly believed to be the Coccus ilicis, an insect that was utilized in ancient times for producing scarlet dye. When a female “scarlet worm” is prepared to give birth, it attaches itself permanently to the trunk of a tree and lays its eggs. The insect then perishes and in death transforms into crimson, staining the nearby wood scarlet as well. The deceased bodies of these insects were then gathered, and the scarlet fluid extracted; the resulting vivid dye was highly valued for dyeing fabric and thread.

The book of Exodus uses forms of the word tola over twenty times, almost always in the sense of “crimson” or “scarlet.” Scarlet was one of the colors in the curtains of the tabernacle «Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. », (Exodus 26:1); in the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (verse 31); and in the garments of the priests (Exodus 28:5-6). In each of these cases, scarlet is symbolic of the blood of the sacrifice.

Significantly, the word tola is also found in Psalm 22:6, a messianic psalm. Here, the Messiah says, “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people,” and goes on to describe His pierced hands and feet (verse 16), the mockery of the onlookers (verse 7), and the gambling over His clothing (verse 18). Like the little “crimson worm,” the Messiah was deemed frail, lowly, and insignificant. “He made himself nothing” «but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: », (Philippians 2:7). Like the “crimson worm,” Jesus hung from a tree, stained the wood crimson, and died giving life to others.