God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 54:16
16I’ve created blacksmiths to fan the coals into flames and to produce useful weapons. I’ve also created destroyers to bring destruction.
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;
- English Standard Version (ESV)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;
- 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.
Context of Isaiah 54:16
14You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, so you will not be afraid. You will be far from destruction, so it won’t come near you. 15“If anyone attacks you, it will not be my doing. Whoever attacks you will be defeated by you. I’ve created blacksmiths to fan the coals into flames and to produce useful weapons. I’ve also created destroyers to bring destruction. 17No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes 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 10:5“How horrible it will be for Assyria! It is the rod of my anger. My fury is the staff in the Assyrians’ hands.
- Isaiah 37:26“ ‘Haven’t you heard? I did this long ago. I planned it in the distant past. Now I make it happen so that you will turn fortified cities into piles of rubble.
- Isaiah 46:11I will call a bird of prey from the east. I will call someone for my plan from a faraway land. I have spoken, and I will bring it about. I have planned it, and I will do it.
- Exodus 9:16But I have spared you for this reason. I want to show you my power and make my name famous throughout the earth.
- Proverbs 16:4The Lord has made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.
- Daniel 4:34At the end of the seven time periods, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my mind came back to me. I thanked the Most High, and I praised and honored the one who lives forever, because his power lasts forever and his kingdom lasts from one generation to the next.
- John 19:11Jesus answered Pilate, “You wouldn’t have any authority over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above. That’s why the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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