Isaiah 54:16

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 reestablished when I vindicate you. You will not experience oppression; indeed, you will not be afraid. You will not be terrified, for nothing frightening will come near you. 15If anyone dares to challenge you, it will not be my doing! Whoever tries to challenge you will be defeated. Look, I create the craftsman, who fans the coals into a fire and forges a weapon. I create the destroyer so he might devastate. 17No weapon forged to be used against you will succeed; you will refute everyone who tries to accuse you. This is what the Lord will do for his servants – I will vindicate them,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 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 10:5Assyria, the club I use to vent my anger, is as good as dead, a cudgel with which I angrily punish.
• Isaiah 37:26Certainly you must have heard! Long ago I worked it out, in ancient times I planned it, and now I am bringing it to pass. The plan is this: Fortified cities will crash into heaps of ruins.
• Isaiah 46:11who summons an eagle from the east, from a distant land, one who carries out my plan. Yes, I have decreed, yes, I will bring it to pass; I have formulated a plan, yes, I will carry it out.
• Exodus 9:16But for this purpose I have caused you to stand: to show you my strength, and so that my name may be declared in all the earth.
• Proverbs 16:4The Lord works everything for its own ends – even the wicked for the day of disaster.
• Daniel 4:34But at the end of the appointed time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and my sanity returned to me. I extolled the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever. For his authority is an everlasting authority, and his kingdom extends from one generation to the next.
• John 19:11Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of 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

• Church
• Righteous
• Smith

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Blow
• Coal
• Ethics
• Isaiah
• Providence
• Saviour
• Handicraft

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