Isaiah 46 11

Isaiah 46:11 kjv

Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isaiah 46:11 nkjv

Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.

Isaiah 46:11 niv

From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

Isaiah 46:11 esv

calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

Isaiah 46:11 nlt

I will call a swift bird of prey from the east ?
a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do,
and I will do it.

Isaiah 46 verses

Isaiah 46 11 Meaning

Isaiah 46:11 declares God's specific, sovereign intention to summon a powerful, swift conqueror—identified as Cyrus from Persia (the "east")—to execute His divine plan and accomplish His predetermined purpose concerning Babylon and Israel's restoration. This verse emphasizes the absolute certainty of God's word and deed, demonstrating His unique power to foretell and fulfill.

Isaiah 46 11 Context

Isaiah 46 occurs during the Babylonian exile or, more accurately, is prophesied with the exiles in view. The chapter is a powerful declaration contrasting the utter impotence of Babylonian idols with the singular, sovereign power of Yahweh. The preceding verses (46:1-2) describe Babylonian deities like Bel and Nebo being ignominiously carried away by their worshippers, burdened and powerless. In contrast, Yahweh proclaims that He carries His people, having sustained them from birth (46:3-4). The prophet then scathingly critiques idolatry (46:5-7) before highlighting God's unique ability to declare future events "from the beginning" (46:9-10). Verse 11, therefore, serves as the climactic example of God's foreknowledge and executive power, specifying a pagan ruler (Cyrus the Great, whose empire encompassed lands to the "east" of Babylon) as His instrument for fulfilling His detailed plan—the overthrow of Babylon and the return of His people. Historically, this prophecy was delivered centuries before Cyrus's birth and conquest, adding to its remarkable precision.

Isaiah 46 11 Word analysis

• calling (קֹרֵא, qōrēʾ): A verb meaning "to call," "to summon," "to proclaim." Implies active initiative and authoritative command. God is not merely observing but deliberately initiating.

• a bird of prey (עַיִט, ʿayiṭ): A swift, predatory bird, often symbolizing a fierce, swift conqueror or destructive force in prophetic literature (cf. Jer 4:13, Hos 8:1). It highlights the unexpected and rapid nature of this agent's arrival and action. Widely understood to refer to Cyrus.

• from the east (מִמִּזְרָח, mimmitzrach): Geographically precise. Persia (modern-day Iran), from where Cyrus's empire rose, lies to the east of Mesopotamia. This detail further identifies the specific agent and refutes any later claim of mere coincidence.

• the man (אִישׁ, ʾîš): Refers to a specific individual, a human agent. Though acting with great power, he remains a person, subordinate to God.

• of my counsel (עֲצָתִי, ʿătsātî): Literally "my counsel," meaning "my plan," "my purpose," "my strategic intent." The individual acts not on his own initiative or wisdom regarding God's people, but as an instrument, executing God's preordained divine blueprint.

• from a far country (מֵאֶרֶץ מֶרְחָק, mēʾerets merḥāq): Reinforces "from the east," emphasizing the distant and unexpected origin of this figure from the perspective of Babylon, or even Israel in exile. This heightens the marvel of God's foresight and control.

• yes, I have spoken (אָמַרְתִּי, ʾāmártî): The Hebrew particle "אַף" (ʾaf) provides emphatic affirmation ("yes, indeed"). The verb "אָמַרְתִּי" is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed, authoritative declaration; God has made His decree.

• and I will bring it to pass (אֲבִיאֶנָּה, ʾaḇîʾennāh): First person common imperfect, denoting definite future action. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and efficacy of God's word. What He says, He will execute.

• I have purposed (יָצַרְתִּי, yātsártî): Derived from a root meaning "to form," "to fashion," like a potter shaping clay. Implies careful design, deliberate intent, a fixed, pre-determined plan before its execution.

• and I will do it (אֶעֱשֶׂנָּה, ʾeʿěśennāh): Another first person common imperfect, signifying decisive and certain action to bring the purpose to full realization. God's purpose is not theoretical but will be accomplished.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "calling a bird of prey from the east": This phrase demonstrates God's initiative, pinpointing the source and nature of His chosen agent. The "bird of prey" denotes a swift, decisive conqueror (Cyrus) from a specific region (Persia).
  • "the man of my counsel from a far country": Rephrasing the first part, this highlights that the chosen agent is a human being and operates entirely within the scope of God's sovereign and pre-ordained plan. "Far country" reiterates the specific geographical knowledge God possesses.
  • "yes, I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass": These declarations underscore the immutable nature and power of God's prophetic word. What God declares is absolutely certain to occur; His word carries its own executive power.
  • "I have purposed, and I will do it": This phrase affirms the infallibility of God's divine plan. It signifies that God's eternal will is not only declared but will be unfailingly brought into reality by His omnipotent action, demonstrating His absolute control over history.

Isaiah 46 11 Bonus section

• This verse provides one of the clearest biblical examples of God using a pagan ruler as a direct, unwitting instrument of His divine will, demonstrating His overarching control even outside the covenant people.
• Theological implications include the immutability of God's character and word, the absolute certainty of His prophecies, and His sovereignty over all creation, including human leaders and nations, ensuring that His purposes always prevail.
• The exactitude of the prophecy, detailing a specific type of person from a specific geographical direction for a specific task, stands as a unique testament to the Yahweh of Israel compared to the impotent, localized, or man-made deities.

Isaiah 46 11 Commentary

Isaiah 46:11 is a pivotal statement within the prophecy of Isaiah, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty, omniscience, and omnipotence, particularly in contrast to the false gods of Babylon. God presents Himself as the only deity who can declare a highly specific future event centuries in advance—the raising of a "bird of prey from the east," identified as Cyrus the Great—to act as "the man of My counsel." This specific foretelling of an unconverted, pagan king's role in fulfilling God's redemptive plan for Israel, by overthrowing Babylon and authorizing the exiles' return, reveals that even global politics and the rise and fall of empires are subservient to God's divine purposes. The repeated and emphatic assertions, "I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it," leave no room for doubt concerning the absolute certainty and efficacy of God's word and eternal blueprint. This verse powerfully illustrates that God is the author of history, working out His will precisely as He determines, validating the reliability of all His prophetic declarations.