Isaiah 41 25

Isaiah 41:25 kjv

I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

Isaiah 41:25 nkjv

"I have raised up one from the north, And he shall come; From the rising of the sun he shall call on My name; And he shall come against princes as though mortar, As the potter treads clay.

Isaiah 41:25 niv

"I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes? one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.

Isaiah 41:25 esv

I stirred up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay.

Isaiah 41:25 nlt

"But I have stirred up a leader who will approach from the north.
From the east he will call on my name.
I will give him victory over kings and princes.
He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 25 Meaning

Isaiah 41:25 speaks of God's absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge, declaring that He will raise up a powerful figure, coming from both the north and the east. This individual, though likely not a worshipper of Yahweh initially, will acknowledge God's name through the outcome of his actions. He is described as one who will utterly subdue kings and princes, likened to treading mortar or clay, demonstrating overwhelming power and control over nations. This verse serves as a proof of God's unique power and the ineffectiveness of the idols of other nations.

Isaiah 41 25 Context

Isaiah 41 is a crucial part of Isaiah's message during a period of distress and uncertainty for Judah, as the nation faced the rise of powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon. The chapter primarily focuses on God challenging the nations and their idols, proving Himself as the only true God. Verses 1-4 establish God as the one who orchestrates history, raising up a conqueror (alluding to Cyrus) who defeats kings. Verses 5-7 describe the nations' fearful reactions, frantically making idols and encouraging one another, highlighting the futility and powerlessness of their created gods. Verses 8-20 pivot to assure Israel, God's chosen servant, that He will protect and strengthen them. Verse 21 begins God's legal challenge to the idols and their worshippers, demanding they present their case and prove their ability to foretell the future or bring about events. Isaiah 41:25 specifically serves as God's conclusive answer to this challenge, detailing His own demonstrated power to raise up a powerful ruler whose coming was prophesied, thus proving His unique omniscience and omnipotence against the silent, powerless idols.

Isaiah 41 25 Word analysis

• I have raised up (הֵעִירוֹתִי - hei'i'roti): From the root "עוּר" (ur), meaning "to stir up," "awaken," "arouse." It signifies an active, deliberate act by God. This is not a chance event, but a sovereign instigation.
• one (אֶחָד - echad): Refers to a specific, singular individual. While the immediate historical referent is Cyrus, the "one" implies God's personal selection and agency.
• from the north (מִצָּפוֹן - mitz'tzafon): The direction from which invasions frequently came into Israel (e.g., Assyria, Babylon). It hints at a formidable, perhaps unexpected, source of power, adding to the idea of God's control over powerful worldly forces.
• and he shall come (וְיָבוֹא - v'yavo): Simple, direct statement of arrival and action, emphasizing certainty and immediacy of the prophesied event.
• from the rising of the sun (מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁמֶשׁ - mim'miz'rach-shemesh): Literally "from the rising of the sun," meaning "from the east." This specific combination of directions (north and east) accurately describes the geographical origin of the Persian Empire (Media and Persia). It shows God's precise foreknowledge of geopolitical movements.
• shall he call upon my name (יִקְרָא בִשְׁמִי - yiq'ra vish'mi): This does not necessarily mean he will become a devoted monotheistic worshipper of Yahweh in the full Israelite sense. Rather, it means he will acknowledge God's sovereignty and authority, perhaps even unwittingly, through his actions and decrees (e.g., Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1). It reflects God using even non-believers to fulfill His will and bring Him glory.
• and he shall come upon (וְיָבֹא עַל - v'yavo al): Expresses the forcefulness and direct impact of his approach and action.
• princes (סְגָנִים - se'ganim): Refers to high officials, governors, satraps, or subordinate rulers, often of non-Israelite origin. These were significant figures in the geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the wide-reaching nature of this conqueror's dominion.
• as upon morter (כְּחֹמֶר - k'cho'mer): Literally "as clay" or "as mud/mortar." This is a powerful metaphor for utterly trampling and reducing opposition to dust. The raw, yielding nature of mortar symbolizes the total subjugation.
• and as the potter (כְּיוֹצֵר - k'yo'tser): "As the one who forms," or "as the craftsman who molds clay." Reinforces the idea of active, forceful manipulation.
• treadeth clay (וְכֵירוּמַס חֹמֶר - v'khei'ru'mas cho'mer): Literally "and he shall tread mud/clay." This vividly portrays crushing and grinding something into submission with one's feet. It symbolizes complete conquest, leaving nothing standing against him. The double metaphor (morter and potter treading clay) amplifies the intensity of the conquest and the utter helplessness of the subdued rulers.

• "I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun": This combination highlights God's specific control over geography and geopolitics. It pinpoints the origin of this powerful individual, demonstrating God's predictive accuracy, something idols could never achieve. The use of "raised up" denotes divine initiation.
• "shall he call upon my name": This signifies an acknowledgment, not necessarily an adoption of faith. The mighty conqueror, known as Cyrus, would issue decrees that referenced Yahweh, thus giving implicit credit to the God of Israel. It serves God's purpose for His glory among the nations.
• "and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay": This dual imagery speaks of absolute and merciless subjugation. The raw, yielding material of mortar or clay emphasizes the effortless defeat of formidable rulers by the divinely appointed figure. It demonstrates overwhelming power that crushes all opposition without difficulty, solidifying God's supreme authority over nations and their leaders.

Isaiah 41 25 Bonus section

This prophecy holds a dual significance. Primarily, it directly refers to Cyrus the Great, whose Persian Empire indeed rose from the region north and east of Judah. Cyrus's conquests crushed various "princes" and powers of his time, culminating in the overthrow of Babylon and the subsequent decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). This historic fulfillment underscores God's ability to reveal future events and raise up leaders for His specific purposes. The precise geographical details (north and east) are remarkable indicators of God's exact foresight. The "calling upon My name" through Cyrus's decree in Ezra validates this prophecy, showing a pagan king acknowledging the God of heaven. Beyond the immediate fulfillment, this verse also contains a broader theological truth that points to God's ultimate control over all human rulers and nations. This truth resonates with eschatological passages about the Messiah's final conquest and establishment of His kingdom, where all earthly powers will be subdued before Him. It serves as a reminder that God uses both believers and non-believers to advance His divine plan.

Isaiah 41 25 Commentary

Isaiah 41:25 stands as a testament to God's unique sovereignty over world events and His absolute foreknowledge, setting Him apart from all false gods. It announces the divine commissioning of a powerful conqueror, Cyrus, whose origin (north and east, referring to Media and Persia) was precisely revealed before his ascent. This ruler, despite not being a covenant worshiper, would execute God's will and in effect "call upon God's name" by issuing decrees that recognized Yahweh's authority, fulfilling divine prophecy and demonstrating God's power even through unexpecting agents. The imagery of treading princes "as mortar" or "treading clay" underscores the complete and decisive subjugation of worldly powers. This verse assures Judah that God controls history, even through formidable foreign rulers, for the ultimate good of His people and the display of His glory, contrasting with the silence and powerlessness of the pagan idols challenged throughout the chapter. It implies God's purpose often uses tools beyond His immediate chosen people to achieve His ends, asserting His role as the only true King who raises and deposes nations.