Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah 41:26
26Who told about this from the beginning, so that we might know, and from times past, so that we might say, ‘He is right’? No one announced it, no one told it, no one heard your words.
Isaiah 41:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
- New International Version (NIV)Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who has declared from the beginning, that we may know? And former times, that we may say, ‘He is righteous’? Surely there is no one who shows, Surely there is no one who declares, Surely there is no one who hears your words.
Context of Isaiah 41:26
24Look, you are nothing and your work is worthless. Anyone who chooses you is detestable. 25“I have stirred up one from the north, and he has come, one from the east who invokes my name. He will march over rulers as if they were mud, like a potter who treads the clay. Who told about this from the beginning, so that we might know, and from times past, so that we might say, ‘He is right’? No one announced it, no one told it, no one heard your words. 27I was the first to say to Zion, ‘Look! Here they are!’ And I gave Jerusalem a herald with good news. 28When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.
Read all of Isaiah 41Isaiah 41:26 word by word
מִֽי־הִגִּ֤יד מֵרֹאשׁ֙ וְנֵדָ֔עָה וּמִלְּפָנִ֖ים וְנֹאמַ֣ר צַדִּ֑יק אַ֣ף אֵין־מַגִּ֗יד אַ֚ף אֵ֣ין מַשְׁמִ֔יעַ אַ֥ף אֵין־שֹׁמֵ֖עַ אִמְרֵיכֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Who hath declaredנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
- from the beginningרֹאשׁrô'sh · head: firstH7218
- that we may knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- and beforetimeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- that we may sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
- none that declarethשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: proclaimH8085
- none that hearethשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
- your wordsאֵמֶר'êmer · wordH561
Cross-references for Isaiah 41:26
- Isaiah 41:22“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell us the past events, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome, or tell us the future.
- Isaiah 43:9All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them can declare this, and tell us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate themselves, so that people may hear and say, “It is true.”
- Isaiah 44:7Who, like me, can announce the future? Let him say so and make a case before me, since I have established an ancient people. Let these gods declare the coming things, and what will take place.
- Isaiah 45:21Speak up and present your case — yes, let them consult each other. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the Lord? There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except me.
- Isaiah 41:23Tell us the coming events, then we will know that you are gods. Indeed, do something good or bad, then we will be in awe when we see it.
Commentaries on Isaiah 41:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26Your word - אמרתיכם imrntheychem ; but, instead of this, one of my most ancient MSS. has דבריכם dibreychem . The meaning is nearly the same: but in this reading this His. is singular.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Who hath declared from the beginning - The meaning of this passage is, there is no one among the soothsayers, and the worshippers of idols, who has predicted the birth, the character, and the conquests of Cyrus. There is among the pagan no recorded prediction on the subject, as there is among the Jews, that when he shall have come, it may be said that a prediction is accomplished.‘ And before-time - Formerly; before the event occurred. That we may say…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. 26Idols and false gods could not predict the future.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. Who--of the idolatrous soothsayers? When this prophecy shall be fulfilled, all shall see that God foretold as to Cyrus, which none of the soothsayers have. beforetime--before the event occurred. He is righteous--rather, "It is true"; it was a true prophecy, as the event shows. "He is righteous," in English Version, must be interpreted, The fulfilment of the idol's words proves that he is faithful. showeth, &c.--rather, "there was none (of the…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 41:26
In the dictionaries
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
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