Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה
H3541
כֹ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֖ה
I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְרָאָ֖הּ
it he created
H1254
בְרָאָ֖הּ
it he created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
5 of 22
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם
the heavens
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם
the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
6 of 22
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יְצָרָ֑הּ
he formed
H3335
יְצָרָ֑הּ
he formed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
9 of 22
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
וְעֹשָׂהּ֙
and made
H6213
וְעֹשָׂהּ֙
and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כֽוֹנְנָ֔הּ
it he hath established
H3559
כֽוֹנְנָ֔הּ
it he hath established
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹ֥הוּ
it not in vain
H8414
תֹ֥הוּ
it not in vain
Strong's:
H8414
Word #:
15 of 22
a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
בְרָאָ֖הּ
it he created
H1254
בְרָאָ֖הּ
it he created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
16 of 22
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
it to be inhabited
H3427
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
it to be inhabited
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְצָרָ֑הּ
he formed
H3335
יְצָרָ֑הּ
he formed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
18 of 22
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
יְהוָ֖ה
I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Psalms 115:16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.Isaiah 45:12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Jeremiah 10:12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.Genesis 1:2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.Jeremiah 51:15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.Genesis 9:1And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Historical Context
This addresses exiles wondering if God's purposes had failed. Just as creation was purposefully formed for inhabitation, so God's purposes for Israel will be fulfilled.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God created the earth 'to be inhabited' affect your sense of purpose?
- What does it mean that God's creative purposes are not chaotic but intentional?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's creative purpose is declared: He 'created the heavens...formed the earth and made it...established it, created it not in vain ('tohu'), formed it to be inhabited.' The Hebrew 'tohu' (formlessness, emptiness, chaos) from Genesis 1:2 shows God's intention was habitation, not chaos. Creation has purpose; existence has meaning.