Devine Scripture

Isaiah 41:6

What does Isaiah 41:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 41:6 means

In their fear and apprehension, the people seek comfort and encouragement from each other. They attempt to bolster one another's spirits, urging each person to "Be of good courage." This communal effort to instill bravery highlights their shared anxiety and their reliance on human reassurance in the face of the overwhelming divine power they have witnessed. It reveals their desperation as they turn inward rather than upward for solace.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

They help every one his neighbor; and every one saith to his brother, Be of good courage.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

They help every one his neighbor; and every one saith to his brother, Be of good courage.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

They gave help everyone to his neighbour; and everyone said to his brother, Take heart!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Each his neighbour they help, And to his brother he saith, `Be strong.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Every one shall help his neighbour, and shall say to his brother: Be of good courage.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They helped every one his neighbour, and [each] said to his brother, Take courage.

Context

This verse details the human reaction to the widespread fear described in the previous verse. The mutual encouragement among the people illustrates their shared desperation and foreshadows their collaborative efforts in the next verse to create and solidify their idols. This serves to emphasize the contrast between the true comfort God offers His people and the false solace sought by the nations.

v.5The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.

v.6This passage

v.7So the carpenter encourageth the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and he fasteneth it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Samuel 4:7

    And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.

  • Joel 3:9

    Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up.

  • 1 Samuel 5:3

    And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

  • Daniel 3:1

    Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

  • Isaiah 44:12

    The smithmakethan axe, and worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with his strong arm: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth; he drinketh no water, and is faint.

  • Isaiah 35:4

    Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.

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