Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:26

What does Isaiah 41:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:26 means

God directly challenges the idols and their followers once more, asking if any of them declared these events from the beginning, or foretold them beforehand, so that anyone could affirm their accuracy. The resounding answer is: "yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that showeth, yea, there is none that heareth your words." This emphatic denial underscores their utter failure to predict or reveal anything, exposing their complete lack of divine knowledge or communication.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Who hath declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is right? yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that showeth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Who hath declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is right? yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that showeth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Who has given knowledge of it from the first, so that we may be certain of it? and from the start, so that we may say, His word is true? There is no one who gives news, or says anything, or who gives ear to your words.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Who hath declared from the first, and we know? And beforetime, and we say, `Righteous?' yea, there is none declaring, Yea, there is none proclaiming, Yea, there is none hearing your sayings.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know: and from time of old, that we may say: Thou art just. There is none that sheweth, nor that foretelleth, nor that heareth your words.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Who hath declared [it] from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, [It is] right? Indeed, there is none that declareth; no, none that sheweth; no, none that heareth your words.

Context

This verse returns to the primary test of divinity: the ability to declare the future. Following the announcement of the northern conqueror, God challenges the idols to prove they could have foretold such an event, emphasizing their utter silence and inability. This serves to reinforce the contrast between God's foreknowledge and their ignorance, leading directly into God's final assertion of His unique power in declaring the future.

v.25I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.

v.26This passage

v.27I am the first that saith unto Zion, Behold, behold them; and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

Cross references

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

  • Habakkuk 2:18

    What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he that fashioneth its form trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

  • Isaiah 45:21

    Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 41:22

    Let 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.

  • Isaiah 43:9

    Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

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