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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 41:22 "Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/23_Isa_41_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 41:22 - Meaningless Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. 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Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Let them try to tell us what happened long ago so that we may consider the evidence. Or let them tell us what the future holds, so we can know what’s going to happen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let them bring <i>them</i> forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they <i>be</i>, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they <i>were,</i> That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let them bring <i>them</i> forward and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former <i>events,</i> declare what they <i>were,</i> So that we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former events, declare what they were, That we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former <i>events,</i> declare what they <i>were</i>, That we may consider them, and know their outcome; Or announce to us what is coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let them bring <i>it</i> forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former <i>events</i>, declare what they <i>were</i>, That we may establish our heart on them and know their outcome. Or cause us to hear of what is coming;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Let them bring forward [their evidence] and tell us what is going to happen. Regarding the former events, tell what they were, That we may consider them and know their outcome; Or announce to us the things that are going to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell us the past events, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome, or tell us the future.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell us the past events, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome, or tell us the future. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them bring forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Come near me, you idols. Tell us about the past, and we will think about it. Tell us about the future, so we will know what is going to happen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let them bring them forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or shew us things for to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Bring [your idols] so they can tell us what's going to happen. Explain past events that your idols told you about so that we may consider them and know what their outcome will be. Tell us about future events.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Come here and predict what will happen, so that we will know it when it takes place. Explain to the court the events of the past, and tell us what they mean. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them approach and ask us, 'What will happen? As to the former things, what were they? Tell us, so that we may consider them and know. Or the latter things or the things to come— let us hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Let them produce evidence! Let them tell us what will happen! Tell us about your earlier predictive oracles, so we may examine them and see how they were fulfilled. Or decree for us some future events! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Let them come near and declare to us what shall happen. Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen: let them show the former things, what they are that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Let them announce and declare to us what will happen! Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They bring [them] near, and declare to us that which happens, "" Declare the first things—what they [are], "" And we set our heart, and know their latter end, "" Or cause us to hear the coming things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They bring nigh, and declare to us that which doth happen, The first things -- what they are declare ye, And we set our heart, and know their latter end, Or the coming things cause us to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They shall draw near and announce to us what shall happen: shewed they the former things, what they were, and we will set our heart, and we shall know their latter state; or did we hear things coming?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Let them come, and tell us all things that are to come: tell us the former things what they were: and we will set our heart upon them, and shall know the latter end of them, and tell us the things that are to come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Let them approach and announce to us the things that will occur. Announce to us the things that were before. And we will apply our heart to them, and we will know their end. And so, reveal to us the things that will occur.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let them draw near and foretell to us what it is that shall happen! What are the things of long ago? Tell us, that we may reflect on them and know their outcome; Or declare to us the things to come, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, so that we may consider them, and that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let them come near and show us the things that are to come; show us the former things, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us the things that are to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Let them approach and let them show those things that are going to be; show us what the former things are, and we shall put it in our heart and we shall know the end of them, or cause us to hear what is coming<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let them bring them forth, and declare unto us The things that shall happen; The former things, what are they? Declare ye, that we may consider, And know the end of them; Or announce to us things to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Let them draw nigh, and declare to you what things shall come to pass; or tell <i>us</i> what things were of old, and we will apply <i>our</i> understanding, and we shall know what are the last and the future things:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/41-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8996" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Meaningless Idols</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21</span>“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: yag·gî·šū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To draw near, approach. ">“Let them come</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wə·yag·gî·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To be conspicuous. ">and tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/7136.htm" title="7136: tiq·re·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- A primitive root; to light upon; causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers.">will happen.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hag·gî·ḏū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To be conspicuous. ">Tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·nō·wṯ (Art:: Adj-fp) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">the former things,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: hên·nāh (Pro-3fp) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·nā·śî·māh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">so that we may reflect on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·nê·ḏə·‘āh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">and know</a> <a href="/hebrew/319.htm" title="319: ’a·ḥă·rî·ṯān (N-fsc:: 3fp) -- The after-part, end. From 'achar; the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity.">the outcome.</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">Or</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: haš·mî·‘u·nū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp:: 1cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">announce to us</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: hab·bā·’ō·wṯ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">what is coming.</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-7.htm">Isaiah 44:7</a></span><br />Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-9.htm">Isaiah 46:9-10</a></span><br />Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21-22</a></span><br />You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10-11</a></span><br />But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. / Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a></span><br />Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23-31</a></span><br />For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. / The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-9.htm">Isaiah 43:9</a></span><br />All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-21.htm">Isaiah 45:21</a></span><br />Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-24.htm">1 Kings 18:24</a></span><br />Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/28-9.htm">Jeremiah 28:9</a></span><br />As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-19.htm">John 13:19</a></span><br />I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-29.htm">John 14:29</a></span><br />And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Isaiah 48:3-5</a></span><br />I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. / For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze. / Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Isaiah 42:9</a></span><br />Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">1 Corinthians 14:24-25</a></span><br />But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, / and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen: let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.</p><p class="hdg">and shew</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Isaiah 42:9</a></b></br> Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-9.htm">Isaiah 43:9-12</a></b></br> Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, <i>It is</i> truth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-21.htm">Isaiah 45:21</a></b></br> Tell ye, and bring <i>them</i> near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? <i>who</i> hath told it from that time? <i>have</i> not I the LORD? and <i>there is</i> no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; <i>there is</i> none beside me.</p><p class="hdg">consider them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/21-10.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-23.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-30.htm">End</a> <a href="/esther/9-20.htm">Events</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-11.htm">Final</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">First</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-18.htm">Former</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Future</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-7.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-21.htm">News</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-12.htm">Outcome</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Past</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-4.htm">Show</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-8.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-20.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-12.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-10.htm">End</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-7.htm">Events</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-25.htm">Final</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">First</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Former</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Future</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-25.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Latter</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">News</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-7.htm">Outcome</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-13.htm">Past</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Show</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">About his promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">And about the vanity of idols.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/41.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Let them come and tell us what will happen.</b><br>This phrase challenges the idols and false gods of the nations to demonstrate their power by predicting the future. In the ancient Near Eastern context, prophecy and divination were common practices, and the ability to foretell events was seen as a sign of divine power. This challenge highlights the impotence of idols compared to the omniscience of the God of Israel. The phrase underscores the biblical theme that only the true God knows the future, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a>, where God declares the end from the beginning.<p><b>Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome.</b><br>Here, the call is for the idols to recount past events accurately, which would allow people to understand their significance and outcomes. This reflects the importance of history in the biblical narrative, where past events are often recounted to reveal God's hand in guiding and shaping history. The ability to interpret past events is linked to wisdom and understanding, as seen in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. This phrase also emphasizes the continuity of God's plan throughout history.<p><b>Or announce to us what is coming.</b><br>This reiterates the challenge for idols to predict future events, further emphasizing their inability to do so. The prophetic tradition in Israel, as seen in the ministries of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, often involved foretelling future events as a demonstration of God's sovereignty and control over history. This phrase points to the unique role of biblical prophecy in revealing God's purposes and plans, ultimately culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills many Old Testament prophecies. The call to announce future events also foreshadows the eschatological themes found in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The speaker in this passage, challenging the idols and false gods to prove their divinity by predicting the future and explaining the past.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>The false gods worshiped by the surrounding nations and some Israelites, which God challenges in this passage to demonstrate their power and knowledge.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies, warning them of impending judgment and offering hope of redemption.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy</a></b><br>The act of declaring future events, which God uses to demonstrate His sovereignty and omniscience, contrasting with the impotence of idols.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_omniscience.htm">God's Sovereignty and Omniscience</a></b><br>God alone knows the future and the past, demonstrating His supreme authority over all creation. This should lead us to trust in His plans and purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idols and false gods cannot predict or control the future. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols—anything we place above God—and turn away from them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophecy.htm">The Role of Prophecy</a></b><br>Prophecy serves as a testament to God's power and truth. We should study biblical prophecies to strengthen our faith and understand God's redemptive plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_word.htm">Trust in God's Word</a></b><br>Since God alone can declare the future, we should rely on His Word as our ultimate source of truth and guidance in life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_44_7_show_divine_foresight.htm">In Isaiah 44:7, the text implies divine foreknowledge of future events—what evidence supports or contradicts this from a scientific or historical standpoint? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_science_beliefs_predict_the_future.htm">Isaiah 41:22: Can modern science or other belief systems also predict future events, undermining the passage's challenge to idols to foretell what is to come?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_judas's_betrayal_fit_free_will.htm">John 6:70-71: How does Jesus's foreknowledge of Judas's betrayal reconcile with the concept of free will and God's omniscience?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_2_thess._1_9_align_with_god's_mercy.htm">In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, does the idea of eternal destruction align with God's mercy throughout the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/41.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">The former things.</span>--Not, as the Authorised Version suggests, the things of the remote past, but those that lie at the head, or beginning of things to come--the near future. Can the false gods predict them as the pledge and earnest of predictions that go farther? Can they see a single year before them? We note that the challenge exactly corresponds to Isaiah's own method of giving "signs" that his words are not idly spoken (<a href="/context/isaiah/7-10.htm" title="Moreover the LORD spoke again to Ahaz, saying,">Isaiah 7:10-14</a>; <a href="/context/isaiah/38-7.htm" title="And this shall be a sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has spoken;">Isaiah 38:7-8</a>). The other meaning is maintained, however, by some critics as more in harmony with <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm" title="Remember you not the former things, neither consider the things of old.">Isaiah 43:18</a>. The things "for to come" lie, as it were, in the middle future, the "hereafter" of <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm" title="Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods: yes, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.">Isaiah 41:23</a>, in the more remote. All are alike hidden from the gods of the heathen oracles.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let them... show us what will happen</span>. God claims that the power of predicting the future is his own inalienable prerogative. He defies the idol-gods and their votaries to give any clear prediction of future events. No doubt the claim to possess the power was made very generally among the idolatrous nations, who almost universally practised divination, and in many case<span class="accented">s</span> possessed oracles. But it was a false claim, based upon fraud and cunning, which deceived men as often as dependence was placed upon it (Herod., 1:53, 91) and landed them in misfortune. <span class="cmt_word">The former things... things for to come.</span> Some commentators regard "the former things" as things actually past - "the beginnings of history, for instance, which to the heathen nations were wrapped in darkness" (Kay); but it seems better, on the whole, to understand (with Vitringa, Stier, Hahn, Cheyne, and Delitzsch) by "the former things" those in the immediate future, by "things for to come" those about to happen in remoter times. The former are, of course, much the easier to predict, since they fall to some extent within the domain of human foresight; the latter are more difficult; but the idol-gods are challenged to produce either the one or the other. <span class="cmt_word">What they be</span>. A definite and clear statement is required to preclude such vague and ambiguous utterances as the heathen oracles delighted to put forth. <span class="cmt_word">That we may consider them</span> (or, <span class="accented">lay them to heart</span>), <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>and know the latter end of them</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> compare them with the event, when the time comes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/41-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Let them come</span><br /><span class="heb">יַגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yag·gî·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and tell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yag·gî·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֔נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will happen.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּקְרֶ֑ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(tiq·re·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7136.htm">Strong's 7136: </a> </span><span class="str2">To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Tell</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּ֜ידוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gî·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the former things,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִאשֹׁנ֣וֹת ׀</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ri·šō·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, in place, time, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that we may reflect on</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָשִׂ֤ימָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·śî·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֵּ֙נוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and know</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֵדְעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nê·ḏə·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the outcome.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרִיתָ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rî·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_319.htm">Strong's 319: </a> </span><span class="str2">The last, end, the future, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">announce to us</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְׁמִיעֻֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·mî·‘u·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what is coming.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּא֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:22 Let them announce and declare to us (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 41:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 41:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>