Isaiah 43:18 kjv
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Isaiah 43:18 nkjv
"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
Isaiah 43:18 niv
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18 esv
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Isaiah 43:18 nlt
"But forget all that ?
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
Isaiah 43 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 43:19 | "Behold, I am doing a new thing..." | Direct Continuation of the Theme |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "Behold, the days are coming...when I will make a new covenant" | New Covenant Prophecy |
| Luke 22:20 | "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" | Fulfillment in Jesus' Blood |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" | Believer's Newness |
| Gal 6:15 | "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation" | True Identity in Christ |
| Rev 21:5 | "And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" | Ultimate New Creation |
| Rom 6:4 | "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead..." | Symbolism of New Life |
| Eph 4:24 | "...and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." | Spiritual Renewal |
| Col 3:10 | "...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." | Continuous Renewal |
| Heb 8:6-13 | "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent as the covenant that he mediates is more excellent, because it is made on better promises." | Superiority of the New Covenant |
| John 14:16 | "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever" | The New Helper (Spirit) |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" | Empowering of the New Era |
| John 4:14 | "...but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." | Living Water of the New Life |
| John 6:35 | "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger'" | Provision in the New Era |
| 1 Cor 15:45 | "Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living soul.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." | Contrasting Old and New Adams |
| Hos 2:16 | "'And in that day,' declares the LORD, 'you will call me 'my Husband''" | Restored Relationship |
| Ezek 36:26 | "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you" | Inner Transformation |
| Ps 51:10 | "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." | Plea for Renewal |
| Isa 11:1-9 | Prophecy of the Messiah's reign bringing new peace and justice | Messianic Hope for a New Era |
| Jer 3:14 | "'Return, O faithless Israel,' declares the LORD. 'I will not look on you with anger, for I am merciful, and I will not keep anger forever.'" | God's Continuing Mercy |
Isaiah 43 verses
Isaiah 43 18 Meaning
Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. God is doing a new thing, and it is sprouting forth; you shall know it.
Isaiah 43 18 Context
This verse is found within Isaiah chapter 43, which is a powerful section of prophecy that transitions from addressing Israel's past failures and impending exile to announcing future restoration and redemption. The immediate context (verses 14-17) describes God's past deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their subsequent bondage, highlighting His ongoing power and faithfulness despite their disobedience. Verse 18 directly contrasts this remembrance of past salvations with the announcement of a greater, future deliverance and a new beginning. The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, and Isaiah is offering a message of hope that extends beyond their immediate suffering to a future return and a renewed relationship with God.
Isaiah 43 18 Word Analysis
- "Do not remember": Hebrew: al-tizkeru (אַל-תִּזְכְּרוּ). A strong imperative verb form commanding the cessation of recollection. It signifies more than simply forgetting; it implies a deliberate turning away from dwelling on the past.
- "the former things": Hebrew: ha-rishonot (הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת). Refers to previous events, experiences, or dispensations, particularly God's past acts of deliverance, like the Exodus from Egypt.
- "nor consider": Hebrew: gam-bîlôth (גַּם-בִּלּוֹת). 'Gam' (also) connects this with the previous prohibition. 'Biloh' is a less common verb suggesting dwelling on, contemplating, or meditating upon something. It amplifies the instruction not to dwell on the past.
- "the things of old": Hebrew: nêzæḥôth (נֶצַחֹות). Refers to ancient things, perpetual or long-standing matters, further emphasizing that the focus should not be on what has been established in the distant past.
- "Behold": Hebrew: hinnēh (הִנֵּה). An interjection used to draw attention emphatically to something about to be said. It signals the introduction of something significant and imminent.
- "I am doing": Hebrew: ‘aśâ (עָשָׂה). A verb in the continuous imperfect tense, indicating an action in progress. God is actively bringing about a new reality.
- "a new thing": Hebrew: ḥadashah (חֲדָשָׁה). Emphasizes not just a repetition or renewal, but something novel, unprecedented, and of a different kind.
- "now it springs forth": Hebrew: zeh (זֶה) and tiḇâreḥ (תִּבָּצֵר). Zeh refers to "this," pointing to the new thing. Tivareh (often translated as 'springs forth', 'shoots forth', 'is delivered', 'is broken through') carries a sense of emerging, breaking out, or becoming evident, suggesting a potent, unstoppable force. It conveys the idea of growth and a revealing.
- "you shall know it": Hebrew: wə-‘attem (וְאַתֶּם) têdə‘ûn (תֵּדְעוּן). "And you" (attem) refers to the audience of Israel. Têdē‘ûn is the future tense of 'to know,' implying not just intellectual awareness but experiential understanding and recognition.
Isaiah 43 18 Bonus Section
The concept of God doing a "new thing" is a recurring theme in Isaiah and broader biblical thought. It challenges static expectations of God and calls for openness to His evolving salvific plan. The reference to the new thing is understood by many biblical scholars as a prefiguration of the new covenant in Christ and the spiritual rebirth that accompanies salvation. It contrasts the cyclical nature of the Old Covenant system with the definitive, transformative nature of God's ultimate plan. This verse underscores God's power to transcend history and create novel salvations, inviting a participatory faith where people recognize and affirm God’s dynamic interaction with His creation.
Isaiah 43 18 Commentary
This verse marks a pivotal shift in Isaiah's message, calling for a deliberate redirection of focus. The prophet urges Israel not to become fixated on God's past mighty acts, such as the Exodus, as a frame of reference for future hope. While those events were significant, God is about to accomplish something even more remarkable. This "new thing" is not a mere enhancement of the old but a transformative intervention, a paradigm shift. It foreshadows the ultimate redemptive work of God in the Messiah, which ushers in a new covenant, a new creation, and a transformed spiritual reality. The emphasis is on recognizing and experiencing God's active, ongoing work that supersedes even His glorious past achievements. It is a call to faith, anticipating a future liberation and restoration far surpassing former experiences, characterized by spiritual renewal rather than solely nationalistic deliverance. The assurance is that this new work will be clearly understood and recognized by those who believe.