Isaiah 45:21 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring them near - That is, announce, and bring forward your strongest arguments (see the notes at Isaiah 41:1).Who hath declared this from ancient time? - Who has clearly announced the events respecting Cyrus, and the conquest of Babylon, and the deliverance from the captivity? The argument is an appeal to the fact that God had clearly foretold these events long before, and that therefore he was the true God. To this argument he often appeals in proof that he alone is God (see the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:20-22

Isaiah 45:20-22. Draw near together To attend to what I have said, and am now about to say again, concerning the vanity of your idols; ye that are escaped of the nations Ye that survive those many and great destructions which I am bringing upon heathen nations for their abominable idolatries and other wickedness. Let those dreadful judgments upon others, and God’s great mercy in sparing you, awaken you to a more impartial and serious consideration of this subject, and induce you to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:20-25

Babylon’s helpless gods (45:20-46:13)Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon will prove to those Babylonians who survive that to trust in idols for victory is useless. Wooden gods could not foresee Cyrus’s conquest, but Yahweh, the only true God, predicted it long ago (20-21). People of surrounding nations may previously have fought against Yahweh by trusting in idols, but now they should forsake those idols and submit to the living God. Then they will find victory, righteousness and strength, and will... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 45:21

them: i.e. the "image" and "god" of Isaiah 45:20 . there is no God. Note the Figure of speech Pleonasm , by which the same assertion is made in two ways (positive. and negative) for emphasis. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 45:18-21

Isaiah 45:18-21. For thus saith the Lord— The Almighty here renews his discourse to the proselytes of the nations, to confirm them in their belief of the true religion, and to eradicate all the prejudices of idolatry from their minds. A preface suitable to the scope of the discourse is prefixed, consisting of two articles; the first, in this verse, claiming to God the glory of creating this earth with a wise and gracious design: The second, in Isa 45:19 wherein God, first, opposes his... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:21

21. Challenge the worshippers of idols (Isaiah 41:1). take counsel together—as to the best arguments wherewith to defend the cause of idolatry. who . . . from that time— (Isaiah 41:22; Isaiah 41:23; see on Isaiah 45:4). Which of the idols has done what God hath, namely, foretold, primarily as to Cyrus; ultimately as to the final restoration of Israel hereafter? The idolatry of Israel before Cyrus' time will have its counterpart in the Antichrist and the apostasy, which shall precede Christ's... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:21

God challenged the idol-worshippers to consult together and to present a case in defense of their idols. Who was the challenger who claimed "this?" Evidently the prophecies about Cyrus are the "this" in view (cf. Isaiah 46:9-11)? He was Yahweh-the only true God-who does what is right and who saves. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Meaning of the Conquests of Cyrus1-13. The conquests of Cyrus are ordained by Jehovah for His purposes. Let not Israel Criticise the manner of its deliverance. 14-17. Great honour awaits Israel. 18-25. All the world shall recognise Jehovah’s righteousness and power.1. His anointed] as being consecrated to carry out the purposes of Jehovah, i.e. to release Israel from Babylon. This is the only place where a non-Israelite king is so entitled. Somewhat similarly Nebuchadnezzar is called... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:21

(21) Tell ye, and bring them near.—Yet another challenge to the idols and their worshippers.A just God and a Saviour.—Stress is laid on the union of the two attributes which in human actions are often thought incompatible. (Comp. Psalms 85:10.) In virtue of that union the invitation of Isaiah 45:22 is addressed to all the ends of the world. The offer of salvation is universal. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Treasures of Darkness Isaiah 45:3 I. There are Treasures of Darkness. Darkness is approached from two standpoints in God's Book. From one viewpoint it is something to be feared, dreaded, loathed. But darkness is shown to us from another angle of vision, and then it is desirable, inestimable in worth. He who knows what is in darkness assures us that He will give us the treasures of darkness. But what is the literal meaning of these words? In the East of old, instead of depositing their... read more