Isaiah 41 22

Isaiah 41:22 kjv

Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

Isaiah 41:22 nkjv

"Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come.

Isaiah 41:22 niv

"Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,

Isaiah 41:22 esv

Let 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 41:22 nlt

"Let them try to tell us what happened long ago
so that we may consider the evidence.
Or let them tell us what the future holds,
so we can know what's going to happen.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 22 Meaning

Isaiah 41:22 presents a divine challenge to the idol-gods and their proponents. It calls them to produce evidence of their supposed power by either accurately predicting future events or providing a rational, compelling explanation for past events, specifically their ultimate outcomes. The verse highlights that the ability to declare both the past ("former things") and the future ("things for to come") belongs exclusively to the One True God, thereby demonstrating His sovereignty and omniscient power over history and destiny, in stark contrast to the silence and impotence of false deities.

Isaiah 41 22 Context

Isaiah chapter 41 is part of a larger section (chapters 40-55) known as the "Book of Consolation," delivered by the prophet Isaiah to the exiles in Babylon. In this context, God directly addresses His people, Israel, reassuring them of His steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, and the impending end of their Babylonian captivity through Cyrus the Persian.

The verses immediately preceding 41:22 describe God summoning "one from the east" (Cyrus, though not named yet) who will execute His judgment against the nations and redeem Israel. This sets the stage for a dramatic "legal dispute" or debate (a common literary device in Isaiah) where God challenges the idol-worshipping nations and their deities. He calls them to produce evidence for their power and legitimacy. Isaiah 41:22-24 constitutes the core of this challenge: can the idols foretell the future or even explain the significance of past events? Their silence and inability demonstrate their non-existence and impotence, confirming Yahweh's sole claim to deity and His power to declare and accomplish what He purposes.

Historically, this was set against a backdrop of ancient Near Eastern cultures rich in polytheism, divination, and omens. Kings and peoples relied on oracles, astrologers, and soothsayers who claimed to discern the will of various gods and predict events. Isaiah's prophecy directly confronts these prevalent beliefs and practices, asserting that only the God of Israel holds true power over destiny and history.

Isaiah 41 22 Word analysis

• Let them bring forth: יַקְרִ֤יבוּ (yaqrivu) - "Let them cause to approach" or "Let them present." This is an imperative in a challenge, a formal summoning to a legal or declarative confrontation. It's a dare for the pagan gods or their spokesmen to step forward and present their case, like defendants or witnesses.
• and shew us: וְיַגִּ֥ידוּ (v'yaggidu) - "and let them declare" or "and let them tell us." This implies making known, announcing, or prophesying. It's about revelation—sharing secret knowledge or insight. The "us" implicitly refers to Yahweh (who makes the challenge) and the surrounding audience.
• what shall happen: אֵ֚ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּקְרֶ֔אנָה (et asher tikre'nah) - Literally "what will meet [or happen]." This refers to future events, things yet to unfold. The challenge is specifically to foretell these.
• let them shew the former things: וְהָרִאשׁנ֖וֹת מָה־הֵ֑נָּה יַגִּ֥ידוּ (v'ha'rishonot mah-hennah yaggidu) - "And the first things, what they were, let them declare." This is a crucial aspect. It's not just to tell what happened in the past (mere history) but to interpret their meaning, their significance, their purpose, and crucially, their ultimate outcome. It implies understanding the unfolding of historical providence and its trajectory.
• that we may consider them: וְנָשִׂ֤ים לִבֵּנוּ֙ (v'nasim libeinu) - "And we may put our heart to it" or "that we may reflect on them." This signifies thoughtful consideration, to pay careful attention and truly understand.
• and know the latter end of them: וְנֵדַ֣ע אַחֲרִיתָ֔ן (v'neda aḥaritan) - "and know their end/outcome." This is critical; it’s about knowing the telos, the final purpose or result of past events. It goes beyond simple recollection; it's divine interpretive wisdom to see how all past events ultimately conclude and lead to a divinely ordained end.
• or declare us things for to come: א֥וֹ הַבָּא֖וֹת הַגִּֽידוּ (o ha'ba'ot haggidu) - "Or the coming things, declare!" This is a reiteration of the initial challenge concerning future events, emphasizing the twofold demand: perfect knowledge of the past's trajectory AND perfect prediction of the future. The "coming things" are prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let them bring forth, and shew us what shall happen": This sets up the direct challenge, an immediate test of prescience regarding events that are entirely unknown to mortals. It demands demonstrable proof of foresight.
• "let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them": This expands the challenge to cover past events. It’s not a test of memory but of interpretive insight, demanding knowledge of the why and the finality of historical occurrences. The implication is that only the one who set history in motion and knows its ultimate destination can provide such an explanation. The phrase "latter end" (אַחֲרִיתָן - aḥaritan) points to destiny and outcome, things not always clear to human observers.
• "or declare us things for to come": This final phrase functions as a conclusive restatement and summarization of the entire challenge. It simplifies the demand to a clear choice: either accurately explain the past in its ultimate scope or definitively predict the future. Both are attributes exclusively claimed by Yahweh.

Isaiah 41 22 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "ha'rishonot" (הָרִאשׁנֹת), translated "former things," carries a significant prophetic meaning throughout Isaiah. Often it refers to prophecies already delivered and fulfilled, providing concrete proof of God's ability to act according to His word. Conversely, "ha'ba'ot" (הַבָּאוֹת) or "ḥadashot" (חֲדָשׁוֹת - "new things") refer to future prophecies, often regarding Israel's restoration or the coming Messiah, which would also surely come to pass because God is faithful. The consistent pattern of "former things" fulfilled lends credibility to "new things" declared. This verse, therefore, establishes a hermeneutical principle for understanding God's prophetic word: observe what He has already done to trust in what He will do.

Isaiah 41 22 Commentary

Isaiah 41:22 is a powerful statement of divine challenge and polemic, aimed at demonstrating the absolute uniqueness and sovereignty of Yahweh over all false gods. It positions God not merely as a god, but as the God who transcends time and possesses perfect knowledge of both past and future. The challenge itself has two facets: first, for the idols to reveal what will happen, a direct test of prophecy. Second, for them to explain the meaning and ultimate outcome of "former things" – past events. This isn't just a historical recitation; it's a demand for an interpretation that connects the dots of history, revealing its divine purpose and conclusion.

The inability of the idol-gods (and by extension, their human practitioners like diviners or astrologers) to meet either part of this challenge serves to underscore their fundamental impotence and lack of divine substance. They are mute, blind, and unable to act in history, much less declare its course. By contrast, Yahweh can point to a track record of foretelling events (the "former things") and their precise fulfillment, thereby establishing His claim to genuine deity. This theological "courtroom drama" provides profound reassurance to Israel: their God is sovereign, not only over their present circumstances in exile but over the entire sweep of human history, from beginning to end. It means His promises of restoration are sure because He alone governs time and destiny.