Isaiah 54:16

54:15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

KJV

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“Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy.

Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. ¶

54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

What does Isaiah 54:16 mean?

Isaiah 54:16 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include בָּרָא (bârâʼ), חָרָשׁ (chârâsh), נָפַח (nâphach). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Behold,

have

createdבָּרָאbârâʼ/baw-raw'/H1254(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

the

smithחָרָשׁchârâsh/khaw-rawsh'/H2796a fabricator or any material

that

blowethנָפַחnâphach/naw-fakh'/H5301to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

the

coalsפֶּחָםpechâm/peh-khawm'/H6352a coal, whether charred or live

the

fire,אֵשׁʼêsh/aysh/H784fire (literally or figuratively)

and

that

bringeth

forthיָצָאyâtsâʼ/yaw-tsaw'/H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.

instrumentכְּלִיkᵉlîy/kel-ee'/H3627something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

for

his

work;מַעֲשֶׂהmaʻăseh/mah-as-eh'/H4639an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

and

have

createdבָּרָאbârâʼ/baw-raw'/H1254(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

the

wasterשָׁחַתshâchath/shaw-khath'/H7843to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

destroy.חָבַלchâbal/khaw-bal'/H2254to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)

Commentary on Isaiah 54:16

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 54:15–16

x-p" This shows that the vigorous endeavour of a prince to suppress vice, and reform the manners of his people, is the most effectual way to support his government. Observe, 1. What the duty of magistrates is: To take away the wicked, to use their power for the terror of evil works and evil workers, not only to banish those that are vicious and profane from their presence, and forbid them the court, but so to frighten them and restrain them that they may not spread the infection of their wickedness among their subjects. This is called taking away the dross from the silver, which is done by the force of fire. Wicked people are the dross of a nation, the scum of the country, and, as such, to be taken away. If men will not take them away, God will, Ps. cxix. 119 . If the wicked be taken away from before the king, if he abandon them and show his detestation of their wicked courses, it will go far towards the disabling of them to do mischief. The reformation of the court will promote the reformation of the kingdom, Ps. ci. 3 , 8 . 2. What the advantage will be of their doing this duty. (1.) It will be the bettering of the subjects; they shall be made like silver refined, fit to be made vessels of honour. (2.) It will be the settling of the prince. His throne shall be established in this righteousness, for God will bless his government, the people will be pliable to it, and so it will become durable. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince w

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Luke 14:8

When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Topics

Smith

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 54:16.

Exodus 28:11

With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

Exodus 34:10

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 54:16 say?

Isaiah 54:16 (King James Version) reads: "Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy."

Is Isaiah 54:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 54:16 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 54:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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