Isaiah 45 23

Isaiah 45:23 kjv

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:23 nkjv

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Isaiah 45:23 niv

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Isaiah 45:23 esv

By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'

Isaiah 45:23 nlt

I have sworn by my own name;
I have spoken the truth,
and I will never go back on my word:
Every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to me. "

Isaiah 45 verses

Isaiah 45 23 Meaning

Isaiah 45:23 proclaims the unchallengeable and eternal decree of God, declared by His own oath and sealed with His righteous word. This verse asserts the universal, future submission of all creation to Him, where every being will acknowledge His ultimate authority. It emphasizes the absolute sovereignty of Yahweh as the one true God, before whom every knee will bow in homage and every tongue will confess loyalty and allegiance. This declaration is a core statement of monotheism and divine omnipotence, setting God apart from all idols and false deities.

Isaiah 45 23 Context

Isaiah chapter 45 unfolds with God affirming His unique identity as the only sovereign Creator and controller of history, distinct from the impotent idols of the pagan world. He names Cyrus, the Persian king, as His anointed one, even though Cyrus does not know Him, using him to accomplish His divine purposes—specifically the liberation of Israel from Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The preceding verses emphasize God’s ability to declare the future (Isa 45:21), a power exclusive to Him, thereby exposing the futility of false gods. Verse 23, then, serves as the ultimate declaration of God's global dominion and universal demand for recognition and allegiance, concluding a section where God repeatedly challenges people to acknowledge His unparalleled nature and saving power. It shifts from God's work through Cyrus to a grand, eschatological vision of global submission, extending His call for salvation to "the ends of the earth" (Isa 45:22).

Isaiah 45 23 Word analysis

• By Myself I have sworn; (Hebrew: בִּֽי נִשְׁבַּ֤עְתִּי – bi nishba'ti):

  • "By Myself" (bi): Emphasizes that God has no higher authority or greater being to swear by. It signifies the absolute certainty and unchangeable nature of the oath. God's very being is the guarantee.
  • "have sworn" (nishba'ti): Derives from the root for "seven" (sheva), connoting completeness and perfection, implying a perfect, unbreakable oath. This act underscores the solemnity and irrevocability of the divine decree that follows. It's a unilateral declaration that guarantees execution.

• from My mouth has gone forth in righteousness (Hebrew: מִפִּי֙ יָצָ֣א צֶ֔דֶק – mippi yatsa tzedek):

  • "from My mouth" (mippi): Highlights the divine origin and direct utterance of the word. It signifies personal declaration and ultimate authority. The word is not from a prophet or an angel, but directly from God Himself.
  • "gone forth" (yatsa): Denotes an irreversible emission; once spoken by God, it cannot be recalled or negated.
  • "in righteousness" (tzedek): Implies that the decree is not arbitrary but founded on God's inherent justice, fairness, and moral integrity. What God declares is right and will come to pass justly.

• a word that shall not return: (Hebrew: וּדְבָר֙ לֹא־יָשׁ֔וּב – u'dvar lo-yashuv):

  • "a word" (u'dvar): Refers to the divine decree or utterance.
  • "shall not return" (lo-yashuv): This is a powerful expression meaning it will not return void, empty, or without achieving its intended purpose. It reinforces the absolute certainty, effectiveness, and infallibility of God's promise. It guarantees fulfillment.

• 'To Me every knee shall bow, (Hebrew: כִּֽי לִי֙ תִּכְרַ֣ע כָּל־בֶּרֶךְ֮ – ki li tikhra kol-berekh):

  • "To Me" (li): Stresses exclusive personal devotion and allegiance. The bowing is specifically directed towards Yahweh, not to any other entity or deity.
  • "every knee shall bow" (tikhra kol-berekh): A universal act of profound submission, worship, or acknowledgment of superior authority. "Every knee" signifies universal scope, including all people, nations, and even supernatural beings, willingly or unwillingly.

• every tongue shall swear allegiance.' (Hebrew: תִּשָּׁבַ֣ע כָּל־לָשׁוֹן – tishava kol-lashon):

  • "every tongue" (kol-lashon): Also universal, indicating verbal confession or declaration.
  • "shall swear allegiance" (tishava): Implies a binding oath, a declaration of loyalty, commitment, and often an acknowledgment of truth. In this context, it's a forced or voluntary acknowledgment of God's ultimate sovereignty and just claim over all. While some will confess in faith unto salvation, others will confess only out of compulsion at the final judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "By Myself I have sworn; from My mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return": This phrase encapsulates God's ultimate authority and the inviolability of His word. His oath by Himself signifies that the decree is based on His unchangeable character and omnipotence. The word's origin "from My mouth" emphasizes direct divine utterance, while "in righteousness" assures its justice and rightness. "Shall not return" means it will absolutely be accomplished without fail. This is the divine foundation for the following decree.
• "'To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'": This forms the content of God's sworn decree. It predicts a future, universal recognition of His sovereignty. "Every knee shall bow" points to physical, demonstrative submission, acknowledging His reign. "Every tongue shall swear allegiance" indicates verbal confession and commitment, recognizing His unique status and claim. In the Christian theological understanding, this includes even those who resist God in this life, who will ultimately be compelled to acknowledge His Lordship at the final judgment.

Isaiah 45 23 Bonus section

The "word that shall not return" is a significant prophetic idiom. It reinforces the divine reliability often seen in Isa 55:11 where God's word accomplishes His purpose. In Jewish thought, an oath of God carries the ultimate weight and guarantees the unfolding of future events as surely as if they have already occurred. This particular oath in Isaiah 45:23 is sometimes referred to as the "Oath of the Universal King," solidifying Yahweh's claim over all realms and beings, and directly countering the polytheistic tendencies and idol worship prevalent in the cultures surrounding Israel during Isaiah's time. The original Hebrew structure carries an almost rhythmic solemnity, designed to implant the message of God's unquestionable sovereignty deeply within the hearers' hearts. The use of two parallel phrases "every knee shall bow" and "every tongue shall swear allegiance" functions as a merism, meaning it covers the totality of both internal submission (heart/will) and external confession (words/deeds). While the New Testament applications in Rom 14:11 and Phil 2:10-11 extend this prophecy directly to Jesus, they do not diminish God the Father's sovereignty. Instead, they elevate Christ to co-equality and co-sovereignty with the Father, affirming the Trinitarian nature of the divine dominion. The ultimate outcome is the glory of God the Father, as stated in Phil 2:11: "to the glory of God the Father." This means Christ's universal lordship is enacted within the larger divine purpose for the ultimate glory of God Himself.

Isaiah 45 23 Commentary

Isaiah 45:23 is a majestic declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His future reign. The verse begins with a divine oath, "By Myself I have sworn," signifying the unbreakable nature of God's promise, as He has no higher authority by whom to swear. This underlines His unique position as the uncreated, ultimate being. The phrase "from My mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return" underscores the infallibility and integrity of God's decree. His word, once spoken, carries the full weight of His divine power and moral character, guaranteeing its certain fulfillment without deviation or recall. It's a word of righteous purpose, always effective and true.

The content of this unbreakable word is profound: "To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance." This paints a picture of universal homage. "Every knee" signifies total submission and acknowledgment of His supreme authority, irrespective of rank, power, or former allegiance. It encompasses all creation – humanity, angels, and even the forces of evil will ultimately acknowledge His ultimate Lordship. "Every tongue shall swear allegiance" implies verbal confession, a binding declaration of loyalty and recognition of His exclusive claim. This bowing and swearing may occur in various ways: willingly in worship by believers, or forcibly and in fear by unbelievers at the final judgment, as echoed in the New Testament (Rom 14:11, Phil 2:10-11). Both passages explicitly apply this prophecy to Jesus Christ, establishing His co-equal deity and confirming that the universal submission intended for Yahweh in Isaiah also extends to Him. This reveals a central truth of Christian theology: Jesus is Yahweh, and His lordship will be universally acknowledged.

Practically, this verse serves as both a comfort and a warning. For believers, it's a profound assurance of God's ultimate triumph over all evil and opposition; His divine plan cannot be thwarted, and His righteousness will prevail. It encourages steadfastness and worship, knowing that every effort to honor God now is aligned with a future certainty. For those who reject Him, it's a sober warning that avoidance or defiance in this life will eventually culminate in a compelled submission. There will be no exceptions, no neutrality, and no successful rebellion against the God who has sworn by Himself. It calls all humanity to turn to Him voluntarily now, embracing the salvation offered (Isa 45:22), before the day of compulsory acknowledgement arrives.