God gave this title to His servant in two prophecies in Isaiah. Some people think that God was addressing Isaiah himself, or some other person. However, many of the predictions were fulfilled by Jesus (Yeshua‘). He best fits the description of the servant of the Lord. In that sense, a light to the nations is a prophetic and messianic name of Jesus.
A light to the nations (Or goyim) in the Hebrew text of Isa. 49:6.
A light to the nations in Hebrew:
’Or goyim
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 216, 1471
Bible references: Isa. 42:6; 49:6
He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also make You a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
In the NIV and KJV the title is “a light to the Gentiles.” The word goyim always implies the non-Jewish nations.
Similar messianic names of God or Jesus in the Old Testament are My light and Light of Israel. The New Testament has similar names of Jesus. He is a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, Light of the world, and True light.
