Isaiah 64:4

Isaiah 64:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
• New International Version (NIV)Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

Context of Isaiah 64:4

2just as fire kindles brushwood, and fire boils water — to make your name known to your enemies, so that nations would tremble at your presence! 3When you did awesome works that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence. From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him. 5You welcome the one who joyfully does what is right; they remember you in your ways. But we have sinned, and you were angry. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? 6All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Isaiah 64:4 word by word

וּמֵעוֹלָ֥ם לֹא־שָׁמְע֖וּ לֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ עַ֣יִן לֹֽא־רָאָ֗תָה אֱלֹהִים֙ זוּלָ֣תְךָ֔ יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה לִמְחַכֵּה־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For since the beginning of the worldעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
• have not heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• nor perceived by the earאָזַן'âzan · to listenH238
• neither hath the eyeעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• O Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• besideזוּלָהzûlâh · exceptionH2108
• he hath preparedעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• for him that waitethחָכָהchâkâh · to waitH2442

Cross-references for Isaiah 64:4

• Psalms 31:19How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you. In the presence of everyone you have acted for those who take refuge in you.
• 1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him.
• Ephesians 3:6The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
• Colossians 1:26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
• 1 Timothy 3:16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
• 1 John 3:1See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children — and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.
• 1 John 4:10Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
• Revelation 21:1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
• Revelation 22:1Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
• Matthew 25:34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
• John 14:3If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.
• Hebrews 11:16But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
• Isaiah 25:9On that day it will be said, “Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him. Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
• Genesis 49:18I wait for your salvation, Lord.
• Psalms 62:1I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
• Psalms 130:5I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word.

Commentaries on Isaiah 64:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard "For never have men heard" - St. Paul is generally supposed to have quoted this passage of Isaiah, 1 Corinthians 2:9; and Clemens Romanus in his first epistle has made the same quotation, very nearly in the same words with the apostle. But the citation is so very different both from the Hebrew text and the version of the Septuagint, that it seems very difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile them…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For since the beginning of the world - This verse is quoted, though not literally, by the apostle Paul, as illustrating the effects of the gospel in producing happiness and salvation (see the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:9). The meaning here is, that nowhere else among people had there been such blessings imparted, and such happiness enjoyed; or so many proofs of love and protection, as among those who were the people of God, and who feared him. Men have not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-12The prophet’s reflections on the past (Isaiah 63:7–14) inspire him to pray that God would now rescue his people as he has done before.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. perceived by the ear--Paul (1Co 2:9) has for this, "nor have entered into the heart of man"; the virtual sense, sanctioned by his inspired authority; men might hear with the outward ear, but they could only by the Spirit "perceive" with the "heart" the spiritual significancy of God's acts, both those in relation to Israel, primarily referred to here, and those relating to the Gospel secondarily, which Paul refers to. O God ... what he…Read the comment

Topics related to Isaiah 64:4

• God Continued...
• Quotations and Allusions
• Righteous
• Waiting

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Fade
• Flow
• Rend
• Isaiah
• Prayer
• Servant of Jehovah; Servant of the Lord; Servant of Yahweh

Commentaries on Isaiah 64

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• 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