Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Original Language Analysis
תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע
I have sworn
H7650
תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע
I have sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
2 of 16
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
יָצָ֨א
is gone out
H3318
יָצָ֨א
is gone out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִפִּ֧י
of my mouth
H6310
מִפִּ֧י
of my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
4 of 16
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
צְדָקָ֛ה
in righteousness
H6666
צְדָקָ֛ה
in righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
5 of 16
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
דָּבָ֖ר
by myself the word
H1697
דָּבָ֖ר
by myself the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁ֑וּב
and shall not return
H7725
יָשׁ֑וּב
and shall not return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִּכְרַ֣ע
shall bow
H3766
תִּכְרַ֣ע
shall bow
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
11 of 16
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע
I have sworn
H7650
תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע
I have sworn
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
14 of 16
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Cross References
Philippians 2:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.Isaiah 45:19I 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.Isaiah 65:16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.Psalms 63:11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.Deuteronomy 6:13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.Psalms 132:2How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;Nehemiah 10:29They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;Romans 11:4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.Genesis 31:53The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
Historical Context
The oath formula 'by myself' echoes God's oath to Abraham (Genesis 22:16). This adds solemn certainty to the promise of universal acknowledgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's application of this verse to Christ affirm Christ's deity?
- What does universal submission to God mean for those who refuse Him now?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God swears by Himself (since none greater exists): 'I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return.' Every knee shall bow, every tongue swear allegiance to Him. Paul quotes this in Philippians 2:10-11 applying it to Christ, demonstrating Christ's full deity.