Isaiah 54 · Verse 16

Isaiah 54:16

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.
Isaiah 54:16, King James Version

Isaiah 54:16 in other translations

BSBBehold, I have created the craftsman who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its task; and I have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.
WEB“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.
ASVBehold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
YLTLo, I--I have prepared an artisan, Blowing on a fire of coals, And bringing out an instrument for his work, And I have prepared a destroyer to destroy.
DARBYBehold, it is I who have created the smith that bloweth in the fire of coal, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the destroyer to ravage.
BBESee, I have made the iron-worker, blowing on the burning coals, and making the instrument of war by his work; and I have made the waster for destruction.
WebsterBehold, 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.

What does Isaiah 54:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. The workman that forms "weapons against thee" (Is 54:17) is wholly in My power, therefore thou needest not fear, having Me on thy side. for his work--rather, "by his labor [Horsley]. "According to the exigencies of his work" [Maurer]. waster to destroy--(Is 10:5-7; 37:26, 27; 45:1-6). Desolating conquerors who use the "instruments" framed by "the smith." The repetition of the "I" implies, however, something in the latter half of the verse contrasted with the former understand it, therefore, thus: "I have in My power both him who frames arms and him who destroys them (arms)" [Rosenmuller].

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

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 54:11-17

Let the people of God, when afflicted and tossed, think they hear God speaking comfortably to them by these words, taking notice of their griefs and fears. The church is all glorious when full of the knowledge of God; for none teaches like him. It is a promise of the teaching and gifts of the Holy Spirit. All that are taught of God are taught to love one another. This seems to relate especially to the glorious times…

Read the full comment on Isaiah 54:11-17 →

Isaiah 54:16 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.

הִנֵּ֤הhenhere!H2009
אָֽנֹכִי֙'a.no.KhiIH595
בָּרָ֣אתִיba.Ra.tiI createdH1254
חָרָ֔שׁcha.Rasha craftsmanH2796
נֹפֵ֙חַ֙no.Fe.ach[who] blowsH5301
בְּאֵ֣שׁbe.'Eshon a fire ofH784
פֶּחָ֔םpe.ChamcharcoalH6352
וּמוֹצִ֥יאu.mo.Tzi'and [who] producesH3318
כְלִ֖יkhe.Lia weaponH3627
לְמַעֲשֵׂ֑הוּle.ma.'a.Se.hufor work itsH4639
וְאָנֹכִ֛יve.'a.no.Khiand IH595
בָּרָ֥אתִיba.Ra.tiI createdH1254
מַשְׁחִ֖יתmash.Chita destroyerH7843
לְחַבֵּֽל\׃le.cha.Belto ruinH2254

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

Cross references for Isaiah 54:16

  • Proverbs 16:4

    The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

  • Isaiah 46:11

    Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

  • Isaiah 10:5-6

    O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Isaiah 10:15

    Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

  • Isaiah 37:26

    Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.

  • Daniel 4:34-35

    And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

  • John 19:11

    Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I have.
10:5,6,15; 37:26; 46:11; Ex 9:16; Pr 16:4; Da 4:34,35; Joh 19:11

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

Context

  • Isaiah 54:15

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

  • Isaiah 54:16

    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.

  • Isaiah 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.

Read all of Isaiah 54

Isaiah 54:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		He aquí que yo crié al herrero que sopla las ascuas en el fuego, y que saca la herramienta para su obra; y yo he criado al destruidor para destruir.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Voici, moi j’ai créé le forgeron qui souffle le feu du charbon et forme un instrument pour son ouvrage; et moi, j’ai créé le destructeur pour ruiner.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Siehe, ich habe den Schmied geschaffen, der das Kohlenfeuer anbläst und die Waffe hervorbringt, seinem Handwerk gemäß; und ich habe den Verderber geschaffen, um zu zerstören.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ecce ego creavi fabrum sufflantem in igne prunas, et proferentem vas in opus suum; et ego creavi interfectorem ad disperdendum.