Isaiah 41:3 kjv
He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
Isaiah 41:3 nkjv
Who pursued them, and passed safely By the way that he had not gone with his feet?
Isaiah 41:3 niv
He pursues them and moves on unscathed, by a path his feet have not traveled before.
Isaiah 41:3 esv
He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod.
Isaiah 41:3 nlt
He chases them away and goes on safely,
though he is walking over unfamiliar ground.
Isaiah 41 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 41:4 | "Who has performed and done this, declaring the purposes of generations? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He." | Echoes divine sovereignty |
| Isaiah 43:10 | "You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me." | Confirms Israel's witness role |
| Isaiah 45:18 | "For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it, who established it, not in vain has He created it; He formed it to be inhabited! 'I am the Lord, and there is no other.'" | Emphasizes God's creative purpose |
| Isaiah 49:6 | "It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Prophesies salvation for nations |
| Deuteronomy 7:7 | "The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples," | Explains Israel's election |
| Deuteronomy 28:10 | "Then all peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you." | Foretells international recognition |
| Acts 13:47 | "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.'" | Fulfills Isaiah's prophecy |
| Romans 9:17 | "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'I raised you up for this very purpose, of showing My power in you, and that My name might be declared in all the earth.'" | Illustrates God's sovereign purpose |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." | Links divine action to salvation |
| Psalm 22:27 | "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you." | Anticipates universal worship |
| Psalm 48:10 | "As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness." | Connects God's name and reach |
| Isaiah 11:10 | "In that day the root of Jesse, who will stand as a banner for the peoples—for the Gentiles shall seek him, and his resting place shall be glorious—" | Points to a future Deliverer |
| Zechariah 8:23 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" | Depicts gentile inclusion |
| Revelation 1:5 | "and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood" | Connects Christ's kingship and liberation |
| Revelation 7:9 | "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb," | Shows diverse salvation |
| Revelation 11:15 | "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and great voices in heaven declared, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”" | Proclaims universal reign |
| Jeremiah 33:9 | "It shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor among all the nations of the earth who hear of all the good that I do for them, and they shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for them.”" | Highlights divine goodness bringing praise |
| Psalm 98:2 | "The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness to the nations." | God's salvation made known to nations |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | Incarnation as divine manifestation |
| 1 Corinthians 1:24 | "but Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." | Christ as the power and wisdom of God |
Isaiah 41 verses
Isaiah 41 3 Meaning
God assures Israel that He will cause His righteous deeds to bring salvation and deliverance. He will deliver them by extending His power, making them like a unique and special vessel for all nations to see. This act will manifest God's covenant faithfulness.
Isaiah 41 3 Context
Isaiah 41:1-5 presents God addressing the "islands" (often interpreted as distant lands or nations) and the "people" (Israel). God calls them to draw near and declares that He will contend with their accusers. This chapter is part of the "Servant Songs" or, more broadly, a section of comfort for Israel. It aims to reassure them during their exilic period and in anticipation of their future restoration and the coming of a promised deliverer. The contemporary audience, facing oppression and the allure of other deities, needed to be reminded of Yahweh's unique power, sovereignty, and His covenantal commitment to them. This verse specifically highlights God's intent to act on behalf of Israel, showcasing His righteousness as a source of salvation and setting Israel apart as a visible testament to His might.
Isaiah 41 3 Word Analysis
And he shall cause my righteousness to be as it were his possession:
- וְהָיָה (vehayah): "and it shall be." This is a conjunctive waw followed by the Hiphil perfect of היה (hayah), meaning "to be" or "to become." It indicates a future outcome or consequence of God's actions.
- מִשְׁפָּטִי (mishpat-i): "my righteousness," "my justice," "my judgment," or "my right."
- שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh) means "sun," which is not present in this verse, but mishpat often implies God's righteous acts and decrees.
- לְמוֹרָשָׁה (lemorah-shah): "for possession," "as an inheritance."
- מּוֹרָשָׁה (morashah) from יָרַשׁ (yarash) means "inheritance," "possession," or "acquisition."
- Here, it signifies that God's righteous deeds will become something possessed by the deliverer and through him, by Israel, to be known and owned by all.
- Group Analysis: This phrase signifies that God's own perfect justice and righteousness will be the means by which salvation is achieved, and this salvific action will become a permanent and evident characteristic of the one acting on God's behalf (the deliverer/Israel), for all to see and acknowledge.
and the common person shall cause him to be esteemed:
- וְרָגִיל (veragil): "and a common person," "a custom," or "usual."
- This word is challenging. Some translations understand it as "common person." Others suggest it means "one accustomed" or "diligent." The Masoretic Text reads וְרָגִיל (ve'ragil) from the root רָגַל (ragal), meaning to tread, trample, or go about.
- The Hiphil infinitive construct of this root means "to accustom" or "make one go to."
- In this context, it may refer to "an ordinary individual" or "a follower."
- יִתֵּן (yit-ten): "shall give," "shall put," or "shall set."
- This is the Hiphil imperfect of נָתַן (nathan), "to give."
- כְּרוּם (ke-rum): This word is not directly found here. However, some scholars connect the understanding of being "esteemed" with related roots or possible textual variations. A common interpretation is that the "common person" or the "one going to" will make God's act of deliverance so remarkable that it earns high regard.
- The Kethib (written text) is וְרָגִיל (ve ragil) which means "one going to". The Qere (reading) is וְרוּחַ (veruach), meaning "and a spirit." Some translations interpret this as the community "esteeming" or "valuing" God's action.
- Another possible reading connected to a similar root, implies placing the divine judgment as the cause of esteem for the ordinary person.
- Group Analysis: This clause suggests that when God's righteousness is demonstrated through deliverance, even ordinary people or the community as a whole will recognize and value the power behind it, elevating the one through whom it is manifested (the deliverer or Israel).
- וְרָגִיל (veragil): "and a common person," "a custom," or "usual."
Isaiah 41 3 Bonus Section
The concept of God's "righteousness" (mishpat) in Isaiah often encompasses His justice, His judgments, and His right actions according to His covenant. Here, it is the source of salvation and deliverance. This attribute, which might be seen as a judicial attribute, becomes the active principle for rescue. This highlights a significant theological point: God's salvation is inherently linked to His character and His commitment to justice, not merely an arbitrary act of mercy. The phrase "common person" (ragil) or the alternative "one going to" emphasizes that the impact of God's saving acts is for everyone, reaching the most ordinary individuals and thus bringing Him universal recognition.
Isaiah 41 3 Commentary
This verse powerfully articulates God's intention to bring salvation through His own righteousness. It's not an arbitrary act, but one rooted in His very nature. This righteousness will be a "possession" for the deliverer, meaning it will be the visible means of their identity and power. The outcome is that even common people, the everyday observers of these divine acts, will recognize and esteem this power. This demonstrates that God's salvific actions are not hidden but are meant to be publicly evident, leading to awe and acknowledgment of His might and justice. It underscores the transformative effect of divine intervention on both the recipients and the onlookers.