Bible/Isaiah/41

Isaiah 41:23

41:22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. consider: Heb. set our heart upon them
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.

KJV

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Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and see it together.

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.

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

41:24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. of nothing: or, worse than nothing of nought: or, worse than of a viper

What does Isaiah 41:23 mean?

Isaiah 41:23 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָגַד (nâgad), אָתָה (ʼâthâh), אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr).

Hebrew interlinear

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Shewנָגַדnâgad/naw-gad'/H5046properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
the
things
that
are
to
comeאָתָהʼâthâh/aw-thaw'/H857to arrive
hereafter,אָחוֹרʼâchôwr/aw-khore'/H268the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
that
we
may
knowיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
that
ye
are
gods:אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym/el-o-heem'/H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
yea,
do
good,יָטַבyâṭab/yaw-tab'/H3190to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
or
do
evil,רָעַעrâʻaʻ/raw-ah'/H7489properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)
that
we
may
be
dismayed,שָׁעָהshâʻâh/shaw-aw'/H8159to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered
and
beholdרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
it
together.יַחַדyachad/yakh'-ad/H3162properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly

Topics

Idolatry

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 41:23.

Genesis 21:26

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

Genesis 43:6

And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

Joshua 24:20

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

Leviticus 5:4

Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 41:23 say?

Isaiah 41:23 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is Isaiah 41:23 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 41:23 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 41:23, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Isaiah 41:23 →
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