Isaiah 48:16 kjv
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Isaiah 48:16 nkjv
"Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me."
Isaiah 48:16 niv
"Come near me and listen to this: "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit.
Isaiah 48:16 esv
Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there." And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.
Isaiah 48:16 nlt
Come closer, and listen to this.
From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen."
And now the Sovereign LORD and his Spirit
have sent me with this message.
Isaiah 48 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 48:12-15 | Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens, when I call unto them, they stand up together. All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. | Declares speaker's authority and power before revealing identity. |
| John 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Echoes "I am" and divine pre-existence. |
| John 8:58 | Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. | Identifies Jesus with the divine "I AM." |
| Colossians 1:15-17 | Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. | Explicitly states Christ's role in creation. |
| Hebrews 1:3 | Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high; | Asserts Christ's divine nature and cosmic support. |
| Revelation 1:17-18 | And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. | Speaker identifies as Alpha and Omega, First and Last. |
| Isaiah 44:6 | Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. | Declares exclusive divinity and sovereignty. |
| Isaiah 45:18-19 | For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. | Emphasizes God's truthfulness and clear revelation. |
| Romans 11:33-34 | O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? | Highlights divine wisdom beyond human comprehension. |
| Acts 4:27-28 | For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. | Points to God's predestined plan executed through Christ. |
| Jeremiah 32:17 | Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: | Affirmation of God's omnipotence. |
| Ephesians 3:10-11 | To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: | Revelation of God's eternal purpose in Christ. |
| Philippians 2:5-6 | Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: | Points to Christ's divine equality. |
| 1 Corinthians 1:24 | But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. | Identifies Christ as divine power and wisdom. |
| John 17:4 | I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. | Jesus' statement about fulfilling His mission. |
| Romans 1:4 | And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: | Christ's resurrection as proof of His divine Sonship. |
| Isaiah 48:3 | I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. | Isaiah's consistent prophetic pattern of immediate fulfillment. |
| 1 Peter 1:20 | Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, | Christ's pre-existence and divine plan for humanity. |
| Matthew 28:18 | And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. | Jesus' assertion of universal authority. |
| Isaiah 41:4 | Who hath wrought and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. | Reinforces the speaker's eternal nature and unique role. |
Isaiah 48 verses
Isaiah 48 16 Meaning
This verse declares the identity and origin of the speaker as one sent by God, who has fulfilled His purpose through Him. It highlights divine initiative, capability, and faithfulness in accomplishing His will.
Isaiah 48 16 Context
Chapter 48 of Isaiah focuses on God speaking to the "descendants of Jacob" and "citizens of Israel" who are about to be, or have just been, exiled to Babylon. God confronts their stubbornness, idolatry, and reliance on themselves rather than Him. He highlights His own unique divinity, His foreknowledge, and His power to bring about His plans, contrasting His faithfulness with the impotence of idols. This specific verse comes at the end of a longer declaration where God identifies Himself as the Creator and sovereign Lord, the one who has declared future events from the beginning. The preceding verses emphasize His power, His loving choice of Israel, and His decisive action against Babylon. The speaker is God Himself, asserting His authority and intimate involvement in sending and directing His servant, which the prophetic context understands to refer to Cyrus the Great initially, but with deeper implications pointing towards the Messiah.
Isaiah 48 16 Word Analysis
- And (וְ - ve): A common conjunctive particle, connecting the preceding declaration to the pronouncement of divine sending.
- come (בֹּא - bo): Imperative form, or in this context, part of the infinitive construct indicating the action of coming. Here, it emphasizes God's active sending.
- ye (וְאַתֶּם - v'atem): "And you," a plural pronoun, directly addressing the people, drawing their attention to God's announcement about His emissary.
- from (מִן - min): A preposition indicating origin or source.
- the (הַ - ha): The definite article.
- beginning (רֵאשִׁית - re'shith): Indicates the first part, the chief, or the origin. Here it signifies the origin of the declaration, the eternal council of God.
- the (הַ - ha): The definite article.
- father (אָב - av): In a parental sense, signifying source or originator.
- his (יָרֹק - yarok, masculine singular possessive suffix): Referring back to God, indicating His "own hand."
- sent (שָׁלַח - shalach): "To send forth," "to dispatch," "to commission." This word is crucial, highlighting that the subject (God) is the initiator of the action.
- me (אֹתִי - othi): The direct object pronoun for the first person singular. The speaker is the one being sent.
- and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
- his (וְרוּחֹו - v'rucho, "and his Spirit"): The pronoun "his" refers back to God, and "Spirit" (רוּחַ - ruach) denotes God's life-giving power, active presence, or counsel. This indicates the divine empowering behind the sending.
- spirit (רוּחַ - ruach): "Wind," "breath," "spirit." It implies an active, empowered agency.
- his (יָרֹק - yarok): Masculine singular possessive suffix.
- sent (שָׁלַח - shalach): Again, "to send forth," "to dispatch."
- me (אֹתִי - othi): The direct object pronoun. The speaker is sent by God's Spirit.
Group by words-group analysis:
- "And come ye from the beginning, from the father his sent me": This phrase emphasizes God's initiative from the eternal past, even before creation, God's council planned and designated His representative. The "father" signifies the divine source of authority and commission.
- "And his spirit and his sent me": This highlights not just the command but the equipping power behind the messenger. God's own Spirit actively empowers and sends the speaker, assuring capability. It points to divine agency in commissioning.
Isaiah 48 16 Bonus Section
The wording "from the beginning" and "from the father his sent me" can be seen as a proto-Trinitarian statement. The singular "sent me" refers to the Son, while the Father is the originator, and the Spirit is the agent of empowerment. This verse speaks to God's sovereignty over time and His intricate plan for salvation. The repetitive use of "sent me" reinforces the focus on the mediator whom God has chosen. It showcases that God's involvement in the redemption of humanity is not an afterthought but a deeply rooted plan executed through appointed and empowered individuals. Scholars often discuss the multifaceted fulfillment of prophecy, with Cyrus being an initial fulfillment pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Isaiah 48 16 Commentary
This verse is a powerful assertion of divine identity and mission. God declares that He Himself is the one who initiated the sending of His messenger from the very beginning, even from eternity past. This isn't just an ordinary mission; it is ordained from before time. The "sent me" is attributed to God (using His "hand") and also to His "Spirit," demonstrating that this envoy carries both the direct authority of God the Father and the empowered presence of the Holy Spirit. This verse can be understood on multiple levels: prophetically in relation to Cyrus (who was chosen by God to release Israel), and most fully in its messianic implication, pointing to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son sent by the Father, empowered by the Spirit, who fulfilled all of God's redemptive purposes. It underscores that God's redemptive plan is ancient, purposeful, and divinely orchestrated, with a chosen and empowered mediator.
Practical Usage:
- When facing difficult tasks, remember that God is the originator and empowerer of His servants' ministries, just as He initiated and empowered His chosen messenger.
- Recognize that divine missions are planned from eternity; our part is to be receptive to God's calling and enabling power.
- The concept of the Trinity is foreshadowed here, with the Father sending, and the Spirit empowering the one sent.