English Standard Version
Isaiah 54:16
16Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy;
Isaiah 54:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
- New International Version (NIV)“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy.
- New Living Translation (NLT)“I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy.
Context of Isaiah 54:16
14In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord."
Read all of Isaiah 54Isaiah 54:16 word by word
הִנֵּ֤ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ בָּרָ֣אתִי חָרָ֔שׁ נֹפֵ֙חַ֙ בְּאֵ֣שׁ פֶּחָ֔ם וּמוֹצִ֥יא כְלִ֖י לְמַעֲשֵׂ֑הוּ וְאָנֹכִ֛י בָּרָ֥אתִי מַשְׁחִ֖ית לְחַבֵּֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Behold, I have createdבָּרָאbârâ' · to createH1254
- the smithחָרָשׁ, חֲרָשִׁיםchârâsh · artificerH2796
- that blowethנָפַחnâphach · to breatheH5301
- the coalsפֶּחָםpechâm · coalH6352
- in the fireאֵשׁ'êsh · fireH784
- and that bringeth forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: produceH3318
- an instrumentכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
- for his workמַעֲשֶׂהma‛ăώeh · deed: workH4639
- the wasterשָׁחַתshâchath · to ruinH7843
- to destroyחָבַלchâbal · to destroyH2254
Cross-references for Isaiah 54:16
- Isaiah 10:5Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!
- Isaiah 37:26"'Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should make fortified cities crash into heaps of ruins,
- Isaiah 46:11calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
- Exodus 9:16But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
- Proverbs 16:4The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
- Daniel 4:34At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
- John 19:11Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."
Commentaries on Isaiah 54:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Behold, I have created the smith - The sense of this verse is, Everything that can effect your welfare is under my control. The smith who manufactures the instruments of war or of torture is under me. His life, his strength, his skill, are all in my hands, and he can do nothing which I shall not deem it best to permit him to do. So with the enemy of the church himself - the waster who destroys. I bare made him, and he is wholly under my control and at my…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-17Verses 11-17 Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, think they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when full of the knowledge of God; for none teaches like him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All that are taught of God are taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times to succeed the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-17This describes a vision of Jerusalem renewed as a city under God's protection, a place of peace and righteousness (see Isaiah 59:21–60:22). This section provides the background for John's vision of the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10–21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. The workman that forms "weapons against thee" (Is 54:17) is wholly in My power, therefore thou needest not fear, having Me on thy side. for his work--rather, "by his labor [Horsley]. "According to the exigencies of his work" [Maurer]. waster to destroy--(Is 10:5-7; 37:26, 27; 45:1-6). Desolating conquerors who use the "instruments" framed by "the smith." The repetition of the "I" implies, however, something in the latter half of the verse contrasted…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 54:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 54
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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