Isaiah 64:3
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Original Language Analysis
בַּעֲשׂוֹתְךָ֥
When thou didst
H6213
בַּעֲשׂוֹתְךָ֥
When thou didst
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
נוֹרָא֖וֹת
terrible things
H3372
נוֹרָא֖וֹת
terrible things
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 8
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נְקַוֶּ֑ה
which we looked
H6960
נְקַוֶּ֑ה
which we looked
Strong's:
H6960
Word #:
4 of 8
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
יָרַ֕דְתָּ
not for thou camest down
H3381
יָרַ֕דְתָּ
not for thou camest down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
5 of 8
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ
at thy presence
H6440
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ
at thy presence
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Psalms 66:5Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.Psalms 106:22Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.Psalms 66:3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Deuteronomy 10:21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.Habakkuk 3:3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
Historical Context
This recalls unexpected deliverances like the Red Sea crossing, fall of Jericho, or defeat of Assyria. God's past surprises encourage prayers for new surprises.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God done 'terrible things you looked not for'?
- How does remembering divine surprises shape your expectations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains quaked at thy presence.' Memory of past unexpected interventions grounds present hope. 'Terrible things' (yare - fear-inspiring) exceeded expectation. The Hebrew 'lo-qivinu' (we looked not for) emphasizes surprise - God exceeded their imagination.