Isaiah 45:11 kjv
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
Isaiah 45:11 nkjv
Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.
Isaiah 45:11 niv
"This is what the LORD says? the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?
Isaiah 45:11 esv
Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: "Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?
Isaiah 45:11 nlt
This is what the LORD says ?
the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:
"Do you question what I do for my children?
Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?
Isaiah 45 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 41:1 | Hearken unto me, O isles; and hearken, ye people; from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. | God's sovereign call from the beginning. |
| Isa 43:1 | But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. | God's personal ownership and redemption. |
| Isa 44:2 | Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. | God's commitment to help His chosen. |
| Isa 44:24 | Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that strengtheneth himself alone; | God as the sole maker and sustainer. |
| Isa 48:12 | Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. | God's eternal nature and unique identity. |
| Jer 1:5 | Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. | God's foreknowledge and appointment. |
| Gal 1:15 | But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, | God's sovereign call even to Paul. |
| Acts 17:24-25 | God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is he worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; | God as the Creator and source of all. |
| Psa 100:3 | Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. | Humanity's reliance on God as Creator. |
| Job 10:8-9 | Thine hands have made me and fashioned me about altogether; yet thou dost turn me to destruction. Wilt thou not as the clay fashion me, and wilt thou bring me unto dust again? | The Creator's power over life and death. |
| Rom 9:20-21 | Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the lump, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? | God's absolute sovereignty as the Potter. |
| John 1:3 | All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. | Christ as the agent of creation. |
| Col 1:16 | For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: | Christ's centrality in creation. |
| Heb 1:2 | Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; | Christ appointed heir and maker of worlds. |
| Rev 4:11 | Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. | Acknowledging God as Creator worthy of praise. |
| Psa 115:3 | But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. | God's sovereignty and independence. |
| Isa 45:5-6 | I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is none other beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. | God's exclusivity and unique power. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. | God's choosing of the weak to shame the strong. |
Isaiah 45 verses
Isaiah 45 11 Meaning
This verse is a direct address from God, asserting His role as the Creator and Sovereign of Israel. It emphasizes His unique authority, highlighting that He alone shapes the destiny of His people and appoints the instruments of their salvation. The verse declares that God not only creates but also questions the ability of others to fulfill His purposes.
Isaiah 45 11 Context
Isaiah 45 is situated within the latter half of the book, often referred to as "Deutero-Isaiah," which speaks of comfort and future restoration for the exiled people of Judah in Babylon. This section features the declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and His chosen instrument, Cyrus the Great, a Persian king, who would facilitate the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. The prophet emphasizes God's unique power as the Creator, contrasting Him with the lifeless idols worshipped by the surrounding nations. This particular verse directly challenges the nations and their gods by asserting that only the true God can ask if a nation, or an object of its worship, has the right to question the Creator's purposes.
Isaiah 45 11 Word Analysis
וְעֹצְרִין (və·‘oṣə·rîn): "and constraining," "and oppressors," "and rulers," "and those who prevent/impede."
- Hebrew root: עָצַר (‘ā·ṣar) - to shut up, close, restrain, stop, prevent, keep back, imprison the rich.
- Analysis: The word implies those who seek to limit or control God's actions or plans. It can refer to gentile rulers who "detain" Israel or, in a theological sense, any force or entity that presumes to set boundaries for God.
- Significance: This word directly targets the nations' perceived power over Israel, a power God is about to nullify.
וּשְׁאָר (ū·šə·’ār): "and the remnant," "and the rest."
- Hebrew root: שָׁאַר (šā·’ar) - to remain over, be left, survive.
- Analysis: Refers to what is left over, the surviving portion. In this context, it could mean the remaining part of the land, the people, or even the residue of the nations.
- Significance: God is concerned not just with the totality but with what is preserved and what remains, indicating His providential care even in the midst of destruction or transition.
חַיֵּי (ḥay·yê): "the life of," "the living of."
- Hebrew root: חַי (ḥay) - alive, living. The plural construct form relates to life itself or sustenance.
- Analysis: Denotes existence and sustenance. It speaks of the living creatures and the conditions of their life.
- Significance: God's domain extends to the very essence of life, not just inanimate objects.
בְּנִי (bə·nî): "my sons," "my children."
- Hebrew root: בֵּן (bên) - son. The plural construct form.
- Analysis: This term signifies a relational status, a cherished relationship between God and His people, Israel. It carries implications of inheritance and favor.
- Significance: This personal address underscores God's proprietary and affectionate relationship with Israel, which distinguishes them from the nations and their idols.
בֵּין (bên): "between," "among."
- Hebrew particle used for distinction.
- Analysis: Indicates a separation or differentiation.
- Significance: God sets Himself apart from and above all others, including the nations and their fabricated deities.
יַעֲקֹב (ya·‘ă·qō·ḇ): "Jacob."
- The patriarch Jacob, representing the nation of Israel.
- Analysis: This name signifies the lineage and the nation that descended from him.
- Significance: Directly names the people God is addressing, reinforcing His specific covenantal relationship with them.
תִּשְׁאֵלוּנִי (tiš·’ê·lū·nî): "you ask me," "you question me," "you consult me."
- Hebrew root: שָׁאַל (šā·’al) - to ask, inquire, request, desire, borrow.
- Analysis: The question implies consulting or seeking guidance or permission. In this context, it carries a tone of challenging or questioning God’s authority and actions.
- Significance: This is the crux of the challenge. Can a created being, or even a divine being (idol) that is created, dare to question the Creator about His purpose for creation?
Isaiah 45 11 Bonus Section
This verse is often cited in discussions about divine sovereignty versus human free will, and the nature of God's relationship with humanity, particularly His chosen people. The question from God highlights a fundamental theological truth: creation does not have the right to question its Creator, nor does it have the right to dictate terms to the source of its existence. The term "sons" (בְּנִי - bə·nî) emphasizes not just a people but a beloved family under God's care. This care extends even to allowing the challenging of God's works and intentions, because He is so secure in His ultimate authority that He permits such questioning to expose the very limits of His questioners and to ultimately affirm His own boundless power and purpose. The singular address to "Jacob" grounds the theological truth in the specific historical context of Israel's experience.
Isaiah 45 11 Commentary
The verse powerfully declares God's exclusive authority as Creator and Sovereign. It asserts that He is the source of all, and as such, has the right to determine the destiny of His creation. The question posed – "Will you question me about my children?" – reveals the audacity of any entity or nation that presumes to challenge God’s providential purposes, especially concerning His chosen people, Israel. It highlights the folly of pagan nations and their idols who either falsely claim creative power or assert control over humanity, while God alone holds ultimate authority. The statement is a divine indictment against any presumption of autonomy from God's plan, emphasizing that His purposes, particularly regarding Israel, are not to be questioned or obstructed by earthly powers or false deities. This speaks to God's redemptive plan unfolding, for which Cyrus, an unwitting agent, is appointed.