Isaiah 48:6
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Isaiah prophesied during a critical period (740-686 BC) when Judah faced threats from Assyria and internal spiritual decline. Chapters 40-48 contain prophecies about Babylon's future conquest and subsequent deliverance through Cyrus the Persian—events that would occur 150 years later. This specific verse comes near the end of a section emphasizing God's ability to predict and fulfill prophecy, distinguishing Him from false gods and idols.
The historical context involves God demonstrating His sovereignty through predictive prophecy. By the time of the Babylonian exile (586 BC), many of Isaiah's earlier predictions had been fulfilled, validating his prophetic authority. The "new things" included the surprising prophecy that a pagan king (Cyrus) would be God's instrument for Israel's restoration—a radical departure from expectations.
For the exiled Jews who would later read these words in Babylon, this passage provided crucial encouragement: the same God who predicted their captivity had also promised their restoration. The call to "declare it" challenged them to maintain faith and bear witness to God's sovereignty even in displacement.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's fulfillment of past prophecies strengthen our confidence in His unfulfilled promises?
- What "new things" has God revealed to you that you should be declaring to others?
- How can we better observe and testify to God's faithfulness in our generation?
- What prevents us from declaring the truths God has shown us?
- How does this verse challenge our tendency to keep faith private rather than public?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? This verse marks a pivotal shift in God's prophetic discourse through Isaiah. The Hebrew verb shama'ta (שָׁמַעְתָּ, "you have heard") implies not merely auditory reception but experiential knowledge—Israel has witnessed God's predictions come to pass. The imperative "see" (chazeh, חֲזֵה) calls for careful observation and reflection on fulfilled prophecy.
The phrase "new things" (chadashot, חֲדָשׁוֹת) refers to fresh revelations about the coming Messiah and the nature of redemption that transcend mere political deliverance. These are "hidden things" (netzurot, נְצֻרוֹת), mysteries previously concealed in God's eternal counsel but now being unveiled. The rhetorical question "will not ye declare it?" challenges Israel to become witnesses, testifying to God's faithfulness in both past fulfillments and future promises.
This verse establishes the principle that fulfilled prophecy authenticates divine revelation and obligates God's people to proclamation. The progression from hearing to seeing to declaring mirrors the Christian witness: we hear God's word, observe His faithfulness, and proclaim truth to others. God reveals hidden things not for speculation but for transformation and testimony.