Isaiah 41 23

Isaiah 41:23 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.

Isaiah 41:23 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.

Isaiah 41:23 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.

Isaiah 41:23 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.

Isaiah 41:23 nlt

Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead.
Then we will know you are gods.
In fact, do anything ? good or bad!
Do something that will amaze and frighten us.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 23 Meaning

Isaiah 41:23 presents a direct, challenging demand from the One true God, Yahweh, to the pagan idols and their supposed deities. He challenges them to prove their divinity by two impossible tasks: accurately predicting future events and actively demonstrating power by either doing good or evil. The core purpose of this challenge is to reveal the inherent impotence and futility of these false gods, underscoring that only the LORD, who can foretell the future and control all events, is truly God. This declaration is designed to solicit an undeniable public acknowledgment of their nothingness compared to His supreme power and foreknowledge.

Isaiah 41 23 Context

Isaiah chapter 41 is a crucial passage within what scholars refer to as Second Isaiah (chapters 40-55), a section largely dedicated to providing comfort, hope, and reassurance to the people of Judah, particularly those in Babylonian exile or facing its prospect. This chapter serves as a grand "covenant lawsuit" or "trial speech," where God presents Himself as the sovereign judge, bringing the nations and their gods into a cosmic court. He argues for His unique deity by challenging the false gods to prove their divine status. The preceding verses (41:21-22) already laid down the initial challenge, demanding that the idols or their worshippers declare the "former things" and "things to come." Verse 23 intensifies this challenge by explicitly calling on them to perform acts that only a true God could—foretelling the distant future and exerting actual, discernible power over events, good or evil. This serves as a stark contrast between the active, foreknowing God of Israel and the inert, silent, and impotent idols of the pagan world. The historical context reflects the pervasive polytheism and belief in astral divination of Babylon, which Isaiah directly counters.

Isaiah 41 23 Word analysis

• Tell us (הַגִּיד֣וּ – haggidu): This is a Hiphil imperative, indicating a forceful command. It's a direct challenge for the idols to "declare" or "make known" something. This command highlights their presumed ability to speak, which the prophet will ultimately expose as false.
• what is to come hereafter (אֹתִ֥יּוֹת – ōtîyyōṯ): This word comes from אוֹת ('ot), which means "sign," "token," or "portent." In this context, it refers specifically to future signs, distant events, or the unfolding of destiny. The challenge isn't for a simple guess but for accurate, verifiable predictions of long-term, significant future events, something only God truly knows.
• that we may know (וְנֵדָעָה֮ – wᵉnêdā‘â): This phrase expresses the explicit purpose of the challenge. The expected outcome is for all to gain true understanding and ascertain the truth of the idols' claims. It is a demand for evidential proof.
• that you are gods (כִּ֣י אֱלֹהִ֣ים אַתֶּם – kî ’ĕlōhîm ’attem): Here, אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) refers to the supposed pagan deities. The challenge directly addresses their fundamental claim to divinity, demanding demonstrable proof to substantiate their alleged status as supreme beings.
• or do good or do evil (הֵיטִ֥יב֖וּ אֽוֹ־הָרֵ֖עוּ – hêṭîbû ’ô-hārê‘û): This is an idiomatic expression in Hebrew meaning "do anything at all," demonstrate agency. It's a comprehensive challenge to display active, causal power, covering the entire spectrum of actions, whether beneficial or destructive. This demonstrates that God demands not only predictive ability but also control over circumstances.
• that we may see it together (וְנִשְׁתָּאֶה֙ יַחְדָּ֖ו – wᵉništā’eh yaḥdāw): The word וְנִשְׁתָּאֶה (wᵉništā’eh) implies "to look in wonder," "to gaze," or "to contemplate." This means the demonstration should be publicly witnessed and clearly observable by everyone involved, allowing for shared, undeniable validation.
• and know that you are gods (וְנֵדַ֖ע כִּי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים אַתֶּֽם – wᵉnêda‘ kî-’ĕlōhîm ’attem): The repetition of this phrase underscores the seriousness and absolute nature of the demand. It emphasizes that the purpose of the test is conclusive evidence for their divine claim, leaving no room for doubt or ambiguity if they were to succeed (which they cannot).

Words-Group Analysis:

• Tell us what is to come hereafter: This phrase combines a command with a specific type of knowledge demanded – foreknowledge of future events. It's not just a request for any information, but for prophecy, the unique domain of God. The emphasis is on signs that haven't occurred yet, thereby testing their prescience.
• that we may know that you are gods: This clarifies the purpose of the foreknowledge. It’s a direct challenge to the idols' divine status, implying that only a true god could possess and declare such knowledge. This directly refutes the common ancient belief in diviners or oracles as proof of a deity's power.
• or do good or do evil: This moves beyond merely intellectual knowledge (prophecy) to active demonstration of power. The ability to cause or prevent events, both beneficial and harmful, is the hallmark of divine sovereignty. It covers the full spectrum of intervention in the world.
• that we may see it together, and know that you are gods: This repeated phrase emphasizes the requirement for public, verifiable evidence of divine power and the desired outcome: an irrefutable acknowledgment of true deity. The call for collective witness makes it an open, objective test, leaving no room for pretense.

Isaiah 41 23 Bonus section

This verse and its surrounding passage function as a significant locus classicus for Christian apologetics, demonstrating that a foundational proof of the God of the Bible is His unique ability to predict future events with absolute accuracy, particularly regarding the advent of the Messiah and the redemption of humanity. This concept of fulfilled prophecy differentiates Him from all other claims to deity and is a test that no other religion or philosophy can pass. The "covenant lawsuit" framework in Isaiah not only highlights God's justice but also his mercy in revealing these truths to His people.

Isaiah 41 23 Commentary

Isaiah 41:23 forms a core polemic against the idolatry prevalent in the ancient Near East, serving as God's legal challenge in a divine courtroom. The two tests posed—foretelling the future and demonstrating power to influence events—are intrinsically linked to attributes solely possessed by the Creator God. False gods are incapable of predictive prophecy because they are not outside of time; they do not know the end from the beginning. They are equally incapable of "doing good or evil" because they are mere manufactured objects, lacking any actual power or will to act upon the world. They cannot deliver, save, or judge. This challenge distinguishes Yahweh as the truly living, active, and sovereign God, whose word comes true, and whose plans are executed in history. This profound theological distinction offered comfort to Israel, reminding them their God was unmatched, even in the midst of powerful empires worshipping numerous deities.