Isaiah 41 · Verse 23

Isaiah 41:23

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.
Isaiah 41:23, King James Version

Isaiah 41:23 in other translations

BSBTell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.
WEBDeclare 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.
ASVDeclare 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.
YLTDeclare the things that are coming hereafter, And we know that ye are gods, Yea, ye may do good or do evil, And we look around and see it together.
DARBYdeclare the things that are to happen hereafter, that we may know that ye aregods; yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be astonished, and behold it together.
BBEGive us word of what will be after this, so that we may be certain that you are gods: yes, do good or do evil, so that we may all see it and be surprised.
WebsterShow the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

What does Isaiah 41:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. do good ... evil--give any proof at all of your power, either to reward your friends or punish your enemies (Psa 115:2-8). that we may be dismayed, and behold it together--Maurer translates, "That we (Jehovah and the idols) may look one another in the face (that is, encounter one another, 2Ki 14:8, 11), and see" our respective powers by a trial. Horsley translates, "Then the moment we behold, we shall be dismayed." "We" thus, and in English Version, refers to Jehovah and His worshippers.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 That we may be dismayed, and behold it together "Then shall we be struck at once with admiration and terror" - The word ונרא venere is written imperfectly in the Hebrew text; the Masoretes supply ה he at the end; and so it is read in twenty-two MSS. and four editions; that is, ונראה venireh, and we shall see. But the true reading seems to be ונירא venira, and we shall fear, with י yod supplied, from ירא yara.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 41:21-29

There needs no more to show the folly of sin, than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it. There is nothing in idols worthy of regard. They are less than nothing, and worse than nothing. Let the advocates of other doctrines than that of salvation through Christ, bring their arguments. Can they tell of a cure for human depravity? Jehovah has power which cannot be withstood; this he will make appear…

Read the full comment on Isaiah 41:21-29 →

Isaiah 41:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הַגִּ֙ידוּ֙ha.Gi.dutellH5046
הָאֹתִיּ֣וֹתha.'o.ti.Yotthe [things] comingH857
לְאָח֔וֹרle.'a.Chorto afterwardsH268
וְנֵ֣דְעָ֔הve.Ne.de.'Ahso let us knowH3045
כִּ֥יkithatH3588
אֱלֹהִ֖ים'E.lo.Him[are] godsH430
אַתֶּ֑ם'a.TemyouH859
אַף\־'af-alsoH637
תֵּיטִ֣יבוּtei.Ti.vuyou will do goodH3190
וְתָרֵ֔עוּve.ta.Re.'uand you may do harmH7489
וְנִשְׁתָּ֖עָהve.nish.Ta.'ahand let us fearH8159
וְנִרְאֶ֥הve.ne.reso let us seeH7200
יַחְדָּֽו\׃yach.DavaltogetherH3162

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Isaiah 41:23

  • John 13:19

    Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

  • Isaiah 42:9

    Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  • Jeremiah 10:5

    They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

  • Isaiah 44:7-8

    And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

  • Isaiah 46:9-10

    Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

  • Isaiah 45:7-8

    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

  • Isaiah 46:7

    They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

  • Isaiah 45:3

    And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that we may know.
42:9; 44:7,8; 45:8; 46:9,10; Joh 13:19; Ac 15:18
do good.
45:7; 46:7; Jer 10:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Isaiah 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.

  • Isaiah 41:23

    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.

  • Isaiah 41:24

    Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.

Read all of Isaiah 41

Isaiah 41:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Dadnos nuevas de lo que ha de ser después, para que sepamos que vosotros sois dioses; ó á lo menos haced bien, ó mal, para que tengamos qué contar, y juntamente nos maravillemos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		– déclarez les choses qui vont arriver dans la suite, et nous saurons que vous êtes des dieux; oui, faites du bien et faites du mal, afin que nous le considérions et le voyions ensemble.
German
Elberfelder 1871		verkündet das späterhin Kommende, damit wir erkennen, daß ihr Götter seid! Ja, tut Gutes oder tut Böses, damit wir uns gegenseitig anblicken und miteinander es sehen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Annuntiate quæ ventura sunt in futurum, et sciemus quia dii estis vos; bene quoque aut male, si potestis, facite, et loquamur et videamus simul.