Isaiah 41:5
What does Isaiah 41:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 41:5 means
The inhabitants of the distant coastlands and the ends of the earth observe these events and react with fear and trembling. Their response indicates a growing apprehension as they witness God's powerful deeds through His chosen instrument. This fear causes them to draw near, likely in a frantic search for security or explanation, setting the stage for their misguided efforts to create and rely on idols for protection rather than turning to the true God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The sea-lands saw it, and were in fear; the ends of the earth were shaking: they came near.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Seen have isles and fear, ends of the earth tremble, They have drawn near, yea, they come.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The islands saw it, and feared, the ends of the earth were astonished, they drew near, and came.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The isles saw [it], and feared; the ends of the earth trembled: they drew near, and came.
Context
Following God's declaration of His eternal sovereignty and control over history, this verse describes the fearful reaction of the nations. Their anxiety drives them to seek comfort and security, which, in the subsequent verses, leads them to reinforce their reliance on idols. This verse acts as a bridge, transitioning from God's display of power to the nations' response and the futile efforts of idol manufacturing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 15:14
The peoples have heard, they tremble: Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
- Psalms 65:8
They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
- Psalms 67:7
God will bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
- Genesis 10:5
Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
- Joshua 2:10
For we have heard how Jehovah dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, unto Sihon and to Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
- Psalms 66:3
Say unto God, How terrible are thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
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