Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:23

What does Isaiah 41:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:23 means

God intensifies His challenge, urging the idols to declare "the things that are to come hereafter," specifically so that humanity might know they are indeed gods. He ironically suggests they "do good, or do evil," implying that any demonstrable action, however slight, would at least prove their existence and power. This satirical challenge highlights their complete inability to act or predict, exposing their utter helplessness and affirming that they are nothing more than lifeless creations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give us word of what will be after this, so that we may be certain that you are gods: yes, do good or do evil, so that we may all see it and be surprised.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Declare the things that are coming hereafter, And we know that ye <FI>are<Fi> gods, Yea, ye may do good or do evil, And we look around and see <FI>it<Fi> together.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Shew the things that are to come hereafter, and we shall know that ye are gods. Do ye also good or evil, if you can: and let us speak, and see together.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

declare the things that are to happen hereafter, that we may know that ye aregods; yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be astonished, and behold it together.

Context

Building on the challenge to declare future events in verse 22, this verse amplifies the demand, pushing the idols to perform any act, good or evil, to prove their divinity. This cutting irony underscores their complete lack of power and knowledge. This ultimate test of their divine claims immediately precedes the definitive verdict from God concerning their worthlessness, culminating the legal challenge against them.

v.22Let them bring forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.

v.23This passage

v.24Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work is of nought; an abomination is he that chooseth you.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 44:7

    And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them declare.

  • John 13:19

    From henceforth I tell you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

  • Isaiah 45:3

    and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.

  • Isaiah 46:7

    They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

  • Isaiah 42:9

    Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

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