Isaiah 48:16
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Original Language Analysis
קִרְב֧וּ
Come
H7126
קִרְב֧וּ
Come
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 17
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
שִׁמְעוּ
unto me hear
H8085
שִׁמְעוּ
unto me hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מֵרֹאשׁ֙
from the beginning
H7218
מֵרֹאשׁ֙
from the beginning
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בַּסֵּ֣תֶר
in secret
H5643
בַּסֵּ֣תֶר
in secret
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
7 of 17
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי
ye this I have not spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי
ye this I have not spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֵעֵ֥ת
from the time
H6256
מֵעֵ֥ת
from the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
9 of 17
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הֱיוֹתָ֖הּ
H1961
הֱיוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
אֲדֹנָ֧י
that it was there am I and now the Lord
H136
אֲדֹנָ֧י
that it was there am I and now the Lord
Strong's:
H136
Word #:
14 of 17
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
Cross References
John 18:20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.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.John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Historical Context
Jewish interpreters debated this verse's identity - is it Isaiah, Israel, or Messiah speaking? Christian theology sees Christ's pre-incarnate self-revelation, explaining His eternal relationship with Father and Spirit. This prepares for John 1:1's 'Word was with God, and was God.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse's Trinitarian hint (Lord GOD, Spirit, and 'me') deepen your understanding of God's nature?
- What does God's public speaking (not 'in secret') teach about Scripture's sufficiency versus claims of special revelation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The invitation 'Come ye near unto me, hear ye this' transitions from historical review to messianic revelation. The claim 'I have not spoken in secret from the beginning' asserts Scripture's clarity against mystical claims of hidden knowledge. The mysterious 'now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me' introduces the speaker as distinct from yet sent by God - early Trinitarian revelation anticipating Christ.