Isaiah 45:19

Authorized King James Version

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I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Original Language Analysis

לֹ֧א H3808
לֹ֧א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בַסֵּ֣תֶר in secret H5643
בַסֵּ֣תֶר in secret
Strong's: H5643
Word #: 2 of 18
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
דֹּבֵ֣ר I have not spoken H1696
דֹּבֵ֣ר I have not spoken
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 3 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בִּמְקוֹם֙ place H4725
בִּמְקוֹם֙ place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֶ֣רֶץ of the earth H776
אֶ֣רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ in a dark H2822
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ in a dark
Strong's: H2822
Word #: 6 of 18
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָמַ֛רְתִּי I said H559
אָמַ֛רְתִּי I said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
לְזֶ֥רַע not unto the seed H2233
לְזֶ֥רַע not unto the seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 9 of 18
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
יַעֲקֹ֖ב of Jacob H3290
יַעֲקֹ֖ב of Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 10 of 18
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
תֹּ֣הוּ ye me in vain H8414
תֹּ֣הוּ ye me in vain
Strong's: H8414
Word #: 11 of 18
a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
בַקְּשׁ֑וּנִי Seek H1245
בַקְּשׁ֑וּנִי Seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 12 of 18
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֲנִ֤י H589
אֲנִ֤י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 13 of 18
i
יְהוָה֙ I the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ I the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דֹּבֵ֣ר I have not spoken H1696
דֹּבֵ֣ר I have not spoken
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 15 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
צֶ֔דֶק righteousness H6664
צֶ֔דֶק righteousness
Strong's: H6664
Word #: 16 of 18
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
מַגִּ֖יד I declare H5046
מַגִּ֖יד I declare
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 17 of 18
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
מֵישָׁרִֽים׃ things that are right H4339
מֵישָׁרִֽים׃ things that are right
Strong's: H4339
Word #: 18 of 18
evenness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e., (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adv

Analysis & Commentary

God declares: 'I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth.' Unlike pagan mystery religions with hidden revelations, God speaks openly. He doesn't say to Jacob 'Seek ye me in vain' ('tohu' - chaos/emptiness). His word is 'righteousness' (tsedeq) and He speaks 'things that are right' (meysharim - uprightness).

Historical Context

Mystery religions and occult practices were common in Babylon. In contrast, God's revelation through prophets was public, recorded, and verifiable - not secret gnosis for initiates.

Questions for Reflection

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