Isaiah 42:9 kjv
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:9 nkjv
Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 42:9 niv
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
Isaiah 42:9 esv
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 42:9 nlt
Everything I prophesied has come true,
and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens."
Isaiah 42 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 41:22 | "Let them show us what is to come..." | Prophetic challenge |
| Isaiah 44:6-8 | "I am the first and I am the last..." | God's unique identity |
| Isaiah 46:9-10 | "Remember the former things of old..." | God's eternal plan |
| Isaiah 48:3-5 | "I foretold the former things long ago..." | Proof of God's omniscience |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you..." | God's benevolent plans |
| Amos 3:7 | "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets." | Prophets as revealers of God's plan |
| Acts 15:18 | "‘Known from of old are all God’s works.’" | Fulfillment in Christ |
| John 13:19 | "I am telling you this before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe." | Jesus' foreknowledge |
| Romans 11:26 | "and so all Israel will be saved..." | Fulfillment of prophecy |
| 1 Corinthians 15:4 | "that he was buried, that he was raised the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," | Resurrection prophecy fulfilled |
| 1 Peter 1:10-11 | "The prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to come to you, searched and careful..." | Prophecy's search for understanding |
| Revelation 1:8 | "‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’" | God's eternal nature |
| Revelation 1:17 | "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not..." | Revelation of future events |
| Revelation 19:10 | "Then I fell down at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant..." | Angel's instruction concerning prophecy |
| Revelation 21:5 | "And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’" | Creation of new things |
| Revelation 22:6 | "And he said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true.’ And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets..." | Authenticity of prophecy |
| Isaiah 42:1-4 | "Behold my servant..." | Servant Songs context |
| Isaiah 43:1 | "But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not..." | Redemption and new creation |
| Isaiah 43:18-19 | "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing..." | Transition to new works |
| Isaiah 45:21 | "Who told this long ago? Who declared it from of old? Was it not I, the LORD?" | God's unique prophetic ability |
| Genesis 3:15 | "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head..." | Protoevangelium, earliest prophecy |
Isaiah 42 verses
Isaiah 42 9 Meaning
"Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I announce; before they spring forth, I tell you of them." This verse, spoken by God through Isaiah, declares His sovereign power over history, encompassing both past and future events. It highlights God's prophetic foreknowledge and His intention to reveal His plans to His people. The emphasis is on God's initiative in revealing His purposes and the certainty of their fulfillment.
Isaiah 42 9 Context
Chapter 42 of Isaiah is part of the second part of the book, often referred to as "Deutero-Isaiah." This section focuses on themes of comfort, restoration, and God's future actions. The immediate context of verse 9 involves God addressing His people Israel, who had experienced exile and hardship. God is asserting His supremacy over false gods and affirming His ability to orchestrate historical events, including the unfolding of new prophecies. This verse serves to encourage faith and trust in God's divine plan amidst uncertainty, setting the stage for the declaration of a coming servant who would be a light to the nations.
Isaiah 42 9 Word Analysis
- Behold (Hebrew: ראה - ra'ah): This is an imperative, drawing attention, commanding the audience to look and pay heed. It signifies something significant and noteworthy is about to be presented.
- the former things (Hebrew: הָרִאשֹׁנֹת - harishonot): Refers to past events and prophecies already declared and fulfilled. It acknowledges God's consistent faithfulness in history.
- have come to pass (Hebrew: הִנֵּה בָאוּ - hinneh ba'u): Indicates that these past pronouncements have been realized. It validates God's word and His power.
- and new things (Hebrew: וְחֲדָשֹׁת - vachadashot): Signals a shift to what is yet to occur. It introduces God's ongoing and unfolding plan.
- I announce (Hebrew: אֲנִי מַגִּיד - ani maggid): This verb (nagađ) means to declare, tell, or announce. It highlights God as the proactive revealer of His plans.
- before they spring forth (Hebrew: טֶרֶם יִפְרָחוּ - terem yifrachu): Literally "before they blossom" or "before they bud." It emphasizes the preemptive nature of God's revelation, before the events themselves are visible or evident. The verb parach relates to growth and blooming, suggesting that the "new things" are about to develop.
- I tell you of them (Hebrew: אֲנִי מַגִּיד לָכֶם - ani maggid lachem): Reinforces the act of announcement, extending it directly to the audience (implied to be Israel). It is a personal and direct communication of future certainty.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the former things have come to pass, and new things I announce": This phrase juxtaposes the accomplished past with the announced future, demonstrating God's dominion over time and His reliable nature. It's a testament to His character: He declares what He will do.
- "before they spring forth, I tell you of them": This emphasizes divine sovereignty and proactive revelation. God doesn't wait for events to unfold randomly; He foretells them to His people, giving them assurance and knowledge of His workings before they become apparent. This demonstrates His control and purpose.
Isaiah 42 9 Bonus Section
The concept of God announcing new things before they happen is central to understanding prophecy in the Bible. It's not merely prediction, but a revelation of God's redemptive plan unfolding through history. The "new things" God announces are often tied to His redemptive acts, particularly the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom, as detailed in the subsequent verses of Isaiah 42 and the New Testament. This verse sets the stage for the identification of the Servant of the Lord, who would ultimately fulfill God's promised future.
Isaiah 42 9 Commentary
Isaiah 42:9 is a profound declaration of God's unique attribute of foreknowledge and His intentional communication of future events. It establishes God as the ultimate sovereign, whose plan extends from the earliest times into the future. By reminding Israel of His past faithfulness and announcing His new actions before they occur, God strengthens their faith. This verse assures His people that they can trust His word, knowing that He controls all history and is actively involved in bringing His purposes to fruition. It serves as a foundational statement for the prophetic ministry and for the trustworthiness of divine revelation.