Isaiah 51:12 kjv
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
Isaiah 51:12 nkjv
"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?
Isaiah 51:12 niv
"I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass,
Isaiah 51:12 esv
"I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,
Isaiah 51:12 nlt
"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.
So why are you afraid of mere humans,
who wither like the grass and disappear?
Isaiah 51 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 51 | "I, I am he that comforteth you..." | Isaiah 40:1 (Direct Echo) |
| Isaiah 51 | "...who are you, that thou should be afraid of man that shall die..." | Isaiah 8:12 (Parallel Theme) |
| Isaiah 43 | "Fear thou not; for I am with thee..." | Isaiah 43:5 (Reassurance) |
| Psalms 23 | "The LORD is my shepherd..." | Psalms 23:1 (God as Comforter) |
| Psalms 27 | "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?..." | Psalms 27:1 (Fearlessness) |
| Psalms 94 | "When the wicked as grass springeth up..." | Psalms 94:2 (Wickedness fades) |
| Psalms 37 | "For the wicked shall be cut off..." | Psalms 37:9 (Fate of wicked) |
| Proverbs 1 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." | Proverbs 1:7 (Fear of God) |
| Isaiah 41 | "So shall they be as nothing; and they which strive with thee shall be as a thing of naught..." | Isaiah 41:12 (Enemies as nothing) |
| Romans 8 | "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?..." | Romans 8:35 (Unbreakable Love) |
| John 10 | "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish..." | John 10:28 (Eternal Security) |
| Hebrews 13 | "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." | Heb 13:8 (Unchanging Christ) |
| Isaiah 50 | "...I have made you an everlasting name." | Isaiah 50:1 (Eternal purpose) |
| Isaiah 40 | "...all flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field." | Isaiah 40:6 (Man's transience) |
| Jeremiah 1 | "Fear thou not their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee..." | Jer 1:8 (God's presence/deliverance) |
| Ezekiel 3 | "But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee..." | Ezek 3:7 (Resistance to message) |
| Acts 4 | "And when they were admonished, they spake boldly the word of God." | Acts 4:31 (Boldness in God) |
| Romans 11 | "And so all Israel shall be saved..." | Romans 11:26 (Ultimate Salvation) |
| 1 John 4 | "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear..." | 1 John 4:18 (Love removes fear) |
| Galatians 1 | "...for there is none other: but it is he that troubleth you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." | Gal 1:7 (Distortion of truth) |
| Genesis 50 | "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good..." | Gen 50:20 (God's sovereignty) |
| Matthew 10 | "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul..." | Matt 10:28 (Fear not man) |
Isaiah 51 verses
Isaiah 51 12 Meaning
The Lord is the sole comforter of Zion. He declares that He is the one who redeems Zion. The enemies of Zion are likened to grass that will wither away. This verse offers assurance to those who fear the Lord, highlighting God's unchanging nature and His ultimate power to deliver His people from their adversaries.
Isaiah 51 12 Context
This verse is situated within the prophecy of Isaiah, specifically addressing the exiles of Judah who are suffering in Babylon. The broader context of Isaiah 51 is one of comfort and encouragement for God's people, reminding them of His faithfulness and sovereign power. It contrasts God's enduring nature and His redemptive actions with the fleeting existence of their oppressors and their own temporary afflictions. The chapter builds on previous declarations of judgment, now turning to assured restoration and the vindication of Israel.
Isaiah 51 12 Word Analysis
'Anōḵī (אָנֹכִי) - "I". Emphatic and personal pronoun, stressing God's self-existence and sole authority.
'ānōḵī (אָנֹכִי) - Repetition of "I", further emphasizing God as the singular source of comfort.
hu' (הוּא) - "He". Pronoun for God, reinforcing His active role.
meḵnûmeḵ (מְכַנֶּנְךָּ) - "who comforts you". From kūna (כּוּנָה), meaning to establish, prepare, or console. It signifies deep, reassuring comfort.
waṯ-məḏāh (וְתִמָּחֵי) - "and you will be made to fade". Passive verb from māḥâ (מָחָה), to wipe away, blot out, or consume. Implies dissolution and disappearance.
mī 'at' (מִי 'ַת) - "who are you". Interrogative, highlighting the insignificance of those who are feared.
'îš (אִישׁ) - "man". Refers to a human being, emphasizing mortality.
'ăšer (אֲשֶׁר) - "who". Relative pronoun.
mìt’ê (מִתְּ‘): "shall die". From mūṯ (מוּת), to die. Signifies inevitable mortality.
bĕnē 'âḏām (בְּנֵי ‘ָדָם): "son of man" or "mortal". Emphasizes the frailty and ephemeral nature of humanity.
God as the Sole Comforter: The double "I" ("I, I") stresses God's uniqueness in providing comfort. This isn't mere emotional solace, but active deliverance and restoration.
Fear of Man: The contrast between God's eternal nature and man's mortality directly addresses irrational fear of human opposition.
Wickedness as Grass: The metaphor of grass vividly illustrates the transient nature of the ungodly and their opposition. They flourish briefly but are destined to vanish. This aligns with numerous Old Testament passages that speak of the unrighteous being cut down like grass.
Isaiah 51 12 Bonus Section
The Hebrew word translated as "comforteth" (kūna) can also imply establishing or making ready. This suggests that God's comfort involves actively preparing and strengthening His people for future glory and deliverance. The phrase "son of man" refers to humanity's transient nature, contrasting with God's eternal immutability, a key theological theme in Isaiah. The imagery of grass also evokes agricultural imagery common in ancient Israel, where the growth and decay of plants were readily understood symbols of life's cycles and the fate of nations.
Isaiah 51 12 Commentary
This verse is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign ability to comfort and protect His people. Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, reassures those who are fearful by pointing to the ultimate futility of opposition from mortal men. God is the sole source of true comfort and security. His people are instructed not to fear those who, like grass, will quickly wither and disappear. God's faithfulness and redemptive power are presented as the firm foundation upon which His people can rely, even amidst apparent distress and the strength of their enemies. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to anchor their hope in God’s unchanging character and His ultimate victory over all adversity.