Isaiah Chapter 46 · Verse 11
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
Original Language Analysis
קֹרֵ֤א
Calling
H7121
קֹרֵ֤א
Calling
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
מֶרְחָ֖ק
from a far
H4801
מֶרְחָ֖ק
from a far
Strong's:
H4801
Word #:
5 of 14
remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar
אִ֣ישׁ
the man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עֲצָתִ֑ו
that executeth my counsel
H6098
עֲצָתִ֑ו
that executeth my counsel
Strong's:
H6098
Word #:
7 of 14
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
8 of 14
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
yea I have spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙
yea I have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
9 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
10 of 14
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
אֲבִיאֶ֔נָּה
it I will also bring
H935
אֲבִיאֶ֔נָּה
it I will also bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יָצַ֖רְתִּי
it to pass I have purposed
H3335
יָצַ֖רְתִּי
it to pass I have purposed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
12 of 14
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
Cross References
Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Job 23:13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.Isaiah 41:2Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.Acts 5:39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.Ephesians 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:Isaiah 38:15What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.Ezra 1:2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.Isaiah 41:25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.Psalms 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.Psalms 119:24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Historical Context
Cyrus II conquered Babylon in 539 BC, allowing Jewish return under Ezra/Nehemiah. His religious tolerance policy (documented in the Cyrus Cylinder) fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy while demonstrating how God uses pagan rulers for covenant purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of pagan King Cyrus demonstrate His sovereignty over all earthly powers?
- What 'impossibilities' in your circumstances must bow to God's sovereign purpose?
Analysis & Commentary
Cyrus is called a 'ravenous bird' (bird of prey) from the east, imagery suggesting swift, decisive conquest. The declaration 'I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass' parallels God's creative word in Genesis - His speech accomplishes reality. The phrase 'I have purposed it, I will also do it' establishes divine immutability; God's purposes cannot be altered by human resistance.