Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:28

What does Isaiah 41:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:28 means

The Lord expresses His dismay, looking among the nations and finding no one, no counselor, who can offer any word of insight or answer to His inquiries. This signifies the profound spiritual and intellectual barrenness of the idolatrous world. Despite their many gods and wise men, none possess true understanding or the ability to offer genuine counsel, particularly in foretelling the future. This emphasizes God's singular wisdom and the futility of human wisdom apart from Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw that there was no man, even no wise man among them, who might give an answer to my questions.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I see that there is no man, Yea, of these that there is no counsellor, And I ask them, and they return word:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw, and there was no one even among them to consult, or who, when I asked, could answer a word.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, — and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

Context

This verse directly follows God's declaration of Himself as the first to bring good tidings, lamenting the absence of any true counsel among the nations. It emphasizes the intellectual and spiritual vacuum of idolatry, setting the stage for the concluding verse which definitively pronounces the worthlessness of all idols and their works. This observation further solidifies the contrast between God's active, knowing presence and the emptiness of false gods.

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

v.28This passage

v.29Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought; their molten images are wind and confusion.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 4:7

    Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

  • Isaiah 63:5

    And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my wrath, it upheld me.

  • Isaiah 40:13

    Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

  • Daniel 5:8

    Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.

  • Isaiah 59:16

    And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.

  • Isaiah 50:2

    Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.

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