Isaiah 41 26

Isaiah 41:26 kjv

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

Isaiah 41:26 nkjv

Who has declared from the beginning, that we may know? And former times, that we may say, 'He is righteous'? Surely there is no one who shows, Surely there is no one who declares, Surely there is no one who hears your words.

Isaiah 41:26 niv

Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, 'He was right'? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.

Isaiah 41:26 esv

Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words.

Isaiah 41:26 nlt

"Who told you from the beginning
that this would happen?
Who predicted this,
making you admit that he was right?
No one said a word!

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 26 Meaning

This verse declares that no one could predict or explain past events and declares that no counsel or answer can be given regarding future events. God alone possesses this exclusive knowledge and power, contrasting Himself with the powerless idols of the nations. It asserts God's unique foresight and His ability to declare and bring about what will happen.

Isaiah 41 26 Context

In Isaiah 41, God is challenging the nations and their idols. He presents Himself as the sovereign Lord who is actively involved in history, bringing His people out of exile. He contrasts His power and foreknowledge with the impotence of idols, which cannot foresee or explain events. This chapter sets the stage for God to reveal His mighty acts and His unfailing promises to Israel, asserting His unique divine authority.

Isaiah 41 26 Word Analysis

• מִי֙ (mî): Interrogative pronoun, "Who." Used here to pose rhetorical questions challenging the abilities of others.
• הִגִּ֣יד (higîd): Verb, "to announce," "to tell," "to declare." Implies a prophetic or revelatory telling.
• ראשֹׁנָ֖ה (rōšō nā): Adverb, "first," "formerly," "of old." Refers to past events that have already happened.
• וְיַגִּ֥יד (wəyaggîd): Conjunction "and" plus the verb "to declare" in the Qal imperfect form, indicating a future declaration.
• אֲחֲרֹנָֽת (’ăḥărō nāṯ): Adverb, "afterward," "later," "of things to come." Refers to future events yet to occur.
• וְנֹ֣אמַר (wənonā’mar): Conjunction "and" plus the Piel passive imperfect of the verb 'amar, "to say." "And it may be said" or "and so we can say."
• קֹֽדֶם (qōdəm): Preposition/adverb, "before," "in front of." Emphasizes the temporal priority of God's declarations.
• לָכֶם (lāḵəm): Pronoun, "to you," "for you." Directed towards the audience of Isaiah's prophecy.
• יְהוָ֥ה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the covenant name of God, LORD.
• אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ (’ĕlōhê·nū): Noun, "our God." Affirms God's relationship with His people.
• תַּחְכְּמֵֽנוּ (taḥkəmê·nū): Verb, Hiphil conjugation of chakam, "to be wise," "to be skillful." Implies human wisdom, understanding, or capability to know or discern. It challenges any human claim to such wisdom concerning divine knowledge.
• מִבִּלְעָדָֽי (mibbīl‘āḏāy): Preposition "from/with" plus 'ayin, "without." Signifies "apart from me" or "without me." It asserts that divine knowledge and foresight exist only with God.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Who announced the former things, and will declare the latter?" — This entire phrase questions the ability of any entity other than God to predict past events (former things) and then claim future events (latter things). It challenges idols and human oracles.
• "and so we can say, 'He is right!' " — This part of the verse suggests that if anyone could accurately predict events, they would be vindicated and affirmed in their claims of wisdom or divine connection.
• "before they sprang into being I told you of them" — This strongly asserts God's foreknowledge and active declaration of future events before they physically manifested.
• "so that you could say, 'He is right!'" — This emphasizes that God's predictions serve as proof of His divine nature, so His people can confidently affirm His truthfulness.
• "You are our God; I am God, and there is no other besides Me." — This reiterates God's unique and singular divinity and His relationship as "our God" to His covenant people.
• "I am God, and there is no other besides Me." — The repetition of "I am God" with the negation of others is a powerful declaration of monotheism and exclusivity.

Isaiah 41 26 Bonus Section

The concept of "former things" and "latter things" reflects a linear view of history characteristic of the Judeo-Christian tradition, in contrast to cyclical views found in some other ancient cultures. God's ability to speak these events into existence through prophecy is not merely prediction, but a testament to His role as the Author of history. This verse resonates with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His divine foreknowledge and power by predicting His own death and resurrection, fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament. His declaration "I am" (John 8:58) echoes the divine name and the assertion of exclusive Deity presented here.

Isaiah 41 26 Commentary

Isaiah 41:26 is a profound assertion of God's absolute sovereignty, knowledge, and power. It highlights the essential difference between the Creator and creation, particularly between the LORD and the lifeless idols of pagan nations. The verse challenges humanity to recognize that true foresight and accurate pronouncements about both past and future events are solely within God's purview. The rhetorical questions serve to expose the futility of relying on anything or anyone else for knowledge of what has been or what will be. God declares that He alone reveals His plans from their inception, so that His people can testify to His faithfulness and truth. This capacity to declare "former things" and foretell "latter things" is presented as irrefutable evidence of His divine identity, distinct from all false gods and limited human understanding. The repeated emphasis, "I am God, and there is no other besides Me," underpins the entire theological argument.