Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Original Language Analysis
יוֹצֵ֥ר
I form
H3335
יוֹצֵ֥ר
I form
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
1 of 13
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
אוֹר֙
the light
H216
אוֹר֙
the light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
2 of 13
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
וּב֣וֹרֵא
and create
H1254
וּב֣וֹרֵא
and create
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
3 of 13
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
H2822
חֹ֔שֶׁךְ
darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
4 of 13
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I make
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
H7965
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
6 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וּב֣וֹרֵא
and create
H1254
וּב֣וֹרֵא
and create
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
7 of 13
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
יְהוָ֖ה
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I make
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֥ה
I make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Amos 3:6Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?Psalms 75:7But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.Job 2:10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.Amos 4:13For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.Isaiah 31:2Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.Jeremiah 31:35Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:Jeremiah 51:20Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Nahum 1:8But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.Acts 4:28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Historical Context
This directly challenges Persian dualism where separate deities controlled light/good and darkness/evil. Isaiah declares one God sovereign over all reality, including adversity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty over both light and darkness affect your understanding of suffering?
- What comfort comes from knowing that even dark circumstances are under God's control?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This profound verse attributes all reality to God: 'I form light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.' The Hebrew 'bara' (create) is used for both light and darkness, peace and evil ('ra' - calamity/adversity, not moral evil). God's sovereignty extends to all circumstances, both blessing and judgment.