Isaiah 41:15-32

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:22

Let them bring them forth - Let the idols, or the worshippers of idols, bring forth the evidences of their divine nature and power. Or more probably it means, ‘let them draw near or approach.’And show us what shall happen - None but the true God can discern the future, and predict what is to occur. To be able to do this, is therefore a proof of divinity to which God often appeals as a demonstration of his own divine character (see Isaiah 44:7-8; Isaiah 45:3-7; Isaiah 46:9-10). This idea, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:23

That we may know that ye are gods - The prediction of future events is the highest evidence of omniscience, and of course of divinity. In this passage it is admitted that if they could do it, it would prove that they were worthy of adoration; and it is demanded, that if they were gods they should be able to make such a prediction as would demonstrate that they were invested with a divine nature.Yea, do good, or do evil - Do something; show that you have some power; either defend your friends,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:24

Behold, ye are of nothing - Margin, ‘Worse than nothing.’ This refers to idols; and the idea is, that they were utterly vain and powerless; they were as unable to render aid to their worshippers as absolute nothingness would be, and all their confidence in them was vain and foolish.And your work - All that you do, or all that it is pretended that you do.Of nought - Margin, ‘Worse than a viper.’ The word used here in the common Hebrew text (אפע 'epa‛) occurs in no other place. Gesenius supposes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:25

I have raised up one - In the previous verses God had shown that the idols had no power of predicting future events. He stakes, so to speak, the question of his divinity on that point, and the whole controversy between him and them is to be decided by the inquiry whether they had the power of foretelling what would come to pass. He here urges his claims to divinity on this ground, that he had power to foretell future events. In illustration of this, he appeals to the fact that he had raised up,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:26

Who hath declared from the beginning - The meaning of this passage is, ‘there is no one among the soothsayers, and the worshippers of idols, who has predicted the birth, the character, and the conquests of Cyrus. There is among the pagan no recorded prediction on the subject, as there is among the Jews, that when he shall have come, it may be said that a prediction is accomplished.’And before-time - Formerly; before the event occurred.That we may say - That it may be said; that there may be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:27

The first shall say to Zion - This translation is unhappy. It does not convey any clear meaning, nor is it possible from the translation to conjecture what the word ‘first’ refers to. The correct rendering undoubtedly is, ‘I first said to Zion;’ and the sense is, ‘I, Yahweh, first gave to Zion the announcement of these things. I predicted the restoration of the Jews to their own land, and the raising up of the man who should deliver them; and I only have uttered the prophecies respecting the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:28

For I beheld - I looked upon the pagan world, among all the pretended prophets, and the priests of pagan idolatry.And there was no man - No man among them who could predict these future events.No counselor - No one qualified to give counsel, or that could anticipate by his sagacity what would take place.That, when I asked of them - In the manner referred to in this chapter. There is no one of whom it could be inquired what would take place in future times.Could answer a word - They were unable... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:29

Behold, they are all vanity - They are unable to predict future events; they are unable to defend their friends, or to injure their enemies. This is the conclusion of the trial or debate (notes, Isaiah 41:1), and that conclusion is, that they were utterly destitute of strength, and that they were entirely unworthy of confidence and regard.Their molten images - (See the note at Isaiah 40:19).Are wind - Have no solidity or power. The doctrine of the whole chapter is, that confidence should be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:14-16

Isaiah 41:14-16. Fear not, thou worm Jacob Who art weak in thyself, despised and trodden under foot by thy proud and potent enemies. I will make thee a new sharp thrashing instrument Such as were usual in those times and places. Thou shall thrash the mountains and hills The great and lofty potentates of the world, which set themselves against thee: or, the greater or lesser kingdoms or countries which were enemies to God’s truth and people; so the phrase signifies, Isaiah 2:14, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:17-20

Isaiah 41:17-20. When the poor and needy seek water, &c. When my poor people are come to the greatest extremity of danger and misery, then will I appear for their relief. I will open rivers in high places Upon the hills and mountains, where, by the course of nature, there are no rivers; and fountains in the midst of valleys Or, in the valleys, namely, in such of them as are not well watered. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, &c. Those people who are like a dry... read more

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