Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
Original Language Analysis
מֵפֵר֙
That frustrateth
H6565
מֵפֵר֙
That frustrateth
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
1 of 10
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
אֹת֣וֹת
the tokens
H226
אֹת֣וֹת
the tokens
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
2 of 10
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וְקֹסְמִ֖ים
and maketh diviners
H7080
וְקֹסְמִ֖ים
and maketh diviners
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
יְהוֹלֵ֑ל
mad
H1984
יְהוֹלֵ֑ל
mad
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
5 of 10
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
מֵשִׁ֧יב
that turneth
H7725
מֵשִׁ֧יב
that turneth
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אָח֖וֹר
men backward
H268
אָח֖וֹר
men backward
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
8 of 10
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
Cross References
Psalms 33:10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.Jeremiah 50:36A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.2 Samuel 15:31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.Jeremiah 51:57And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Historical Context
Babylon was famous for its wise men, astrologers, and diviners (Daniel 2:2). God's frustration of their predictions vindicated His prophets and demonstrated that true wisdom comes only from Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God expose the foolishness of wisdom that excludes Him?
- What confident predictions of experts has God overturned in your experience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God 'frustrates the tokens of the liars' (Babylonian omens and signs), 'makes diviners mad' (exposes their fraudulence), 'turns wise men backward' (reverses their wisdom), and 'makes their knowledge foolish.' The Hebrew 'sakal' (make foolish) shows divine exposure of human pretension. Against human wisdom, God's word stands.