English Standard Version
Isaiah 41:26
26Who 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Who told you from the beginning that this would happen? Who predicted this, making you admit that he was right? No one said a word!
Context of Isaiah 41:26
24Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you. 25I stirred up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay. 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. 27I was the first to say to Zion, "Behold, here they are!" and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news. 28But when I look, there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer.
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 41:22Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come.
- Isaiah 43:9All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true.
- Isaiah 44:7Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
- Isaiah 45:21Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.
- Isaiah 41:23Tell 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.
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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