Isaiah 41:23

Isaiah 41:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
• New International Version (NIV)tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together.

Context of Isaiah 41:23

21“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. 22“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming. Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. 24Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable. 25I have raised up one from the north, and he has come— one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.

Isaiah 41:23 word by word

הַגִּ֙ידוּ֙ הָאֹתִיּ֣וֹת לְאָח֔וֹר וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה כִּ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אַף־תֵּיטִ֣יבוּ וְתָרֵ֔עוּ וְנִשְׁתָּ֖עָה וְנִרְאֶ֥ה יַחְדָּֽו׃Read the interlinear

• Tell usנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• the thingsאָתָה'âthâh 'âthâ' · to comeH857
• that are to comeאָחוֹר'âchôr 'âchôr · backH268
• so that we may knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• thatכִּיkîy · forH3588
• youאַתֶּם'attâh 'attâ 'ath 'attîy 'attem 'atten 'attênâh 'attênnâh · you(m.p.)H859
• are godsאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• Yesאַף'aph · alsoH637
• do something goodיָטַבyâţab · be goodH3190
• or evilרָעַעrâ‛a‛ · be evilH7489
• that we may look on together in dismayשָׁעָהshâ‛âh · to gazeH8159
• that we may look on together in dismayרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seerH7200
• that we may look on together in dismayיָחְדָּוyachad · togetherH3162

Cross-references for Isaiah 41:23

• Isaiah 42:9Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
• Isaiah 44:7Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.
• Isaiah 45:8Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
• Isaiah 46:9Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
• John 13:19I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.
• Acts 15:18that have been known for ages.’
• Isaiah 45:7I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.
• Isaiah 46:7They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
• Jeremiah 10:5Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Commentaries on Isaiah 41:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23That we may be dismayed, and behold it together "Then shall we be struck at once with admiration and terror" - The word ונרא venere is written imperfectly in the Hebrew text; the Masoretes supply ה he at the end; and so it is read in twenty-two MSS. and four editions; that is, ונראה venireh, and we shall see. But the true reading seems to be ונירא venira, and we shall fear, with י yod supplied, from ירא yara .Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23That we may know that ye are gods - The prediction of future events is the highest evidence of omniscience, and of course of divinity. In this passage it is admitted that if they could do it, it would prove that they were worthy of adoration; and it is demanded, that if they were gods they should be able to make such a prediction as would demonstrate that they were invested with a divine nature. Yea, do good, or do evil - Do something; show that you have…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-29Verses 21-29 There needs no more to show the folly of sin, than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it. There is nothing in idols worthy of regard. They are less than nothing, and worse than nothing. Let the advocates of other doctrines than that of salvation through Christ, bring their arguments. Can they tell of a cure for human depravity? Jehovah has power which cannot be withstood; this he will make appear. But the certain knowledge of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-29This trial scene develops the Lord’s case against idolatry. Idols are nothing but a human creation, whereas God is the Creator of all things. Idols cannot speak, act, accomplish anything, or save their worshipers.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. do good ... evil--give any proof at all of your power, either to reward your friends or punish your enemies (Psa 115:2-8). that we may be dismayed, and behold it together--Maurer translates, "That we (Jehovah and the idols) may look one another in the face (that is, encounter one another, 2Ki 14:8, 11), and see" our respective powers by a trial. Horsley translates, "Then the moment we behold, we shall be dismayed." "We" thus, and in English Version…Read the comment

Topics related to Isaiah 41:23

• Condescension of God
• Idolatry

In the dictionaries

• Produce
• Foretell; Foretold
• Gods
• Hereafter
• Isaiah
• Omniscience
• Philosophy
• Divination

Commentaries on Isaiah 41

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings