Isaiah 41:11
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Original Language Analysis
יֵבֹ֙שׁוּ֙
against thee shall be ashamed
H954
יֵבֹ֙שׁוּ֙
against thee shall be ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וְיִכָּ֣לְמ֔וּ
and confounded
H3637
וְיִכָּ֣לְמ֔וּ
and confounded
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֶּחֱרִ֣ים
Behold all they that were incensed
H2734
הַנֶּחֱרִ֣ים
Behold all they that were incensed
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
5 of 11
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
יִֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְאַ֛יִן
H369
וְיֹאבְד֖וּ
with thee shall perish
H6
וְיֹאבְד֖וּ
with thee shall perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Cross References
Exodus 23:22But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.Isaiah 45:24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.Revelation 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.Isaiah 54:17No 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.Acts 16:39And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.Exodus 11:8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.Daniel 4:35And 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?Isaiah 49:26And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.Isaiah 29:8It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.Isaiah 40:17All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
Historical Context
This assured exiles that their Babylonian oppressors would fall, as indeed happened when Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Those who seemed invincible became nothing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to deal with your opponents free you from personal vindictiveness?
- What does it mean to trust God's justice when facing those who contend against you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises that those incensed ('charah'—burning with anger) and contending ('rib'—legal strife) against His people will experience shame and defeat. The Hebrew intensive 'bosh' (ashamed) and 'ayin' (nothing/nonexistent) indicate complete reversal—oppressors will be humiliated and annihilated. God fights for His people.