New English Translation
Isaiah 41:23
23Predict how future events will turn out, so we might know you are gods. Yes, do something good or bad, so we might be frightened and in awe.
Isaiah 41:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
- New International Version (NIV)tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Tell 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together.
Context of Isaiah 41:23
21“Present your argument,” says the Lord. “Produce your evidence,” says Jacob’s king. 22“Let them produce evidence! Let them tell us what will happen! Tell us about your earlier predictive oracles, so we may examine them and see how they were fulfilled. Or decree for us some future events! Predict how future events will turn out, so we might know you are gods. Yes, do something good or bad, so we might be frightened and in awe. 24Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent; the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting. 25I have stirred up one out of the north and he advances, one from the eastern horizon who prays in my name. He steps on rulers as if they were clay, like a potter treading the clay.
Read all of Isaiah 41Isaiah 41:23 word by word
הַגִּ֙ידוּ֙ הָאֹתִיּ֣וֹת לְאָח֔וֹר וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔ה כִּ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אַף־תֵּיטִ֣יבוּ וְתָרֵ֔עוּ וְנִשְׁתָּ֖עָה וְנִרְאֶ֥ה יַחְדָּֽו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Shewנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
- the things that are to comeאָתָה'âthâh 'âthâ' · to comeH857
- hereafterאָחוֹר'âchôr 'âchôr · backH268
- that we may knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- godsאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- yea, do goodיָטַבyâţab · be goodH3190
- or do evilרָעַעrâ‛a‛ · be evilH7489
- that we may be dismayedשָׁעָהshâ‛âh · to gazeH8159
- and beholdרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seerH7200
- togetherיָחְדָּוyachad · togetherH3162
Cross-references for Isaiah 41:23
- Isaiah 42:9Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you.”
- Isaiah 44:7Who is like me? Let him make his claim! Let him announce it and explain it to me – since I established an ancient people – let them announce future events!
- Isaiah 45:8O sky, rain down from above! Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance! Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow, and deliverance may sprout up along with it. I, the Lord, create it.
- Isaiah 46:9Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,
- John 13:19I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I am he.
- Acts 15:18known from long ago.
- Isaiah 45:7I am the one who forms light and creates darkness; the one who brings about peace and creates calamity. I am the Lord, who accomplishes all these things.
- Isaiah 46:7They put it on their shoulder and carry it; they put it in its place and it just stands there; it does not move from its place. Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply; it does not deliver him from his distress.
- Jeremiah 10:5Such idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field. They cannot talk. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them because they cannot hurt you. And they do not have any power to help you.”
Commentaries on Isaiah 41:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23That we may be dismayed, and behold it together "Then shall we be struck at once with admiration and terror" - The word ונרא venere is written imperfectly in the Hebrew text; the Masoretes supply ה he at the end; and so it is read in twenty-two MSS. and four editions; that is, ונראה venireh, and we shall see. But the true reading seems to be ונירא venira, and we shall fear, with י yod supplied, from ירא yara .Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23That we may know that ye are gods - The prediction of future events is the highest evidence of omniscience, and of course of divinity. In this passage it is admitted that if they could do it, it would prove that they were worthy of adoration; and it is demanded, that if they were gods they should be able to make such a prediction as would demonstrate that they were invested with a divine nature. Yea, do good, or do evil - Do something; show that you have…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. 21-29This trial scene develops the Lord’s case against idolatry. Idols are nothing but a human creation, whereas God is the Creator of all things. Idols cannot speak, act, accomplish anything, or save their worshipers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. do good ... evil--give any proof at all of your power, either to reward your friends or punish your enemies (Psa 115:2-8). that we may be dismayed, and behold it together--Maurer translates, "That we (Jehovah and the idols) may look one another in the face (that is, encounter one another, 2Ki 14:8, 11), and see" our respective powers by a trial. Horsley translates, "Then the moment we behold, we shall be dismayed." "We" thus, and in English Version…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 41:23
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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