Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:20

What does Isaiah 41:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:20 means

All these miraculous acts—the provision of water and flourishing trees in the wilderness—have a singular divine purpose: "that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it." This verse explicitly states that God performs these wonders so that humanity, collectively, will recognize His unparalleled power, His active involvement, and His unique identity as the Creator and orchestrator of all things.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that they may see and be wise and give their mind to it, and that it may be clear to them all that the hand of the Lord has done this, and that the Holy One of Israel has made it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

So that they see, and know, And regard, and act wisely together, For the hand of Jehovah hath done this, And the Holy One of Israel hath prepared it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That they may see and know, and consider, and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Context

This verse explicitly states the overarching purpose behind all the miraculous provisions and transformations described in the preceding verses. It functions as a summary statement, emphasizing that these acts are designed to reveal God's identity and power. This clear articulation of divine intent sets the stage for God's renewed challenge to the idols and nations, comparing their impotence to His creative and redemptive acts.

v.19I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together:

v.20This passage

v.21Produce your cause, saith Jehovah; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Numbers 23:23

    Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel: Now shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

  • Isaiah 66:18

    For Iknowtheir works and their thoughts: the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory.

  • Ephesians 2:6

    and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

  • Psalms 109:27

    That they may know that this is thy hand; That thou, Jehovah, hast done it.

  • Exodus 9:16

    but in very deed for this cause have I made thee to stand, to show thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

  • Isaiah 45:6

    that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.

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