Isaiah 41:26
Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
מַגִּ֗יד
Who hath declared
H5046
מַגִּ֗יד
Who hath declared
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
מֵרֹאשׁ֙
from the beginning
H7218
מֵרֹאשׁ֙
from the beginning
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְנֵדָ֔עָה
that we may know
H3045
וְנֵדָ֔עָה
that we may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּמִלְּפָנִ֖ים
and beforetime
H6440
וּמִלְּפָנִ֖ים
and beforetime
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אַ֣ף
H637
אַ֣ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
8 of 17
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
מַגִּ֗יד
Who hath declared
H5046
מַגִּ֗יד
Who hath declared
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אַ֚ף
H637
אַ֚ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
11 of 17
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ
yea there is none that declareth
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ
yea there is none that declareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אַ֥ף
H637
אַ֥ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
14 of 17
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
Cross References
Isaiah 41:22Let 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 44:7And 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.Isaiah 45:21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Historical Context
This rhetorical question has obvious answer: only Isaiah, speaking for the LORD, predicted Cyrus by name 150 years before his birth (44:28, 45:1). No Babylonian source made such specific predictions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Bible's track record of fulfilled prophecy strengthen your faith?
- What does the absence of genuine prophecy from false religions reveal about their claims?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God challenges: who among false prophets declared this from the beginning or beforetime? The threefold response—'there is none that sheweth, none that declareth, none that heareth your words'—emphasizes total absence of genuine prophecy from false sources. Silence proves fraud; fulfilled prophecy proves divinity.