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And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/48-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/23_Isa_48_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 48:16 - Deliverance Promised to Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there. 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From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen.” And now the Sovereign LORD and his Spirit have sent me with this message. <a href="/esv/isaiah/48.htm">English Standard Version</a> Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit. <a href="/kjv/isaiah/48.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/48.htm">New King James Version</a> “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.” <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit.” <a href="/nasb/isaiah/48.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His Spirit.” <a href="/lsb/isaiah/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Draw near to Me, hear this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. So now Lord Yahweh has sent Me, and His Spirit.” <a href="/amp/isaiah/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, From the time that it happened, I was there. And now the Lord GOD has sent Me, and His [Holy] Spirit.” <a href="/csb/isaiah/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Approach me and listen to this. From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time anything existed, I was there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me and his Spirit. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Approach Me and listen to this. From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time anything existed, I was there.&#8221 And now the Lord GOD has sent me and His Spirit. <a href="/asv/isaiah/48.htm">American Standard Version</a> Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit. <a href="/cev/isaiah/48.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Come closer and listen! I have never kept secret the things I have said, and I was here before time began. By the power of his Spirit the LORD God has sent me <a href="/erv/isaiah/48.htm">English Revised Version</a> Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD hath sent me, and his spirit. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Come here. Listen to this: From the beginning I have spoken nothing in private. From the time it took place, I was there. Now the Almighty LORD has sent me and his Spirit. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/48.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Now come close to me and hear what I say. From the beginning I have spoken openly and have always made my words come true." (Now the Sovereign LORD has given me his power and sent me.) <a href="/isv/isaiah/48.htm">International Standard Version</a> Draw near to me, and listen to this: 'From the beginning I haven't spoken in secret; at the time it happened, I was there.' And now the LORD God, and his Spirit, has sent me. <a href="/msb/isaiah/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there.? And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit. <a href="/net/isaiah/48.htm">NET Bible</a> Approach me! Listen to this! From the very first I have not spoken in secret; when it happens, I am there." So now, the sovereign LORD has sent me, accompanied by his spirit. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Come near to me and hear this: "From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I." Now the LORD has sent me, with his Spirit. <a href="/wbt/isaiah/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Come ye near to 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. <a href="/web/isaiah/48.htm">World English Bible</a> “Come near to me and hear this: “From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it happened, I was there.” Now the Lord Yahweh has sent me with his Spirit. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Come near to Me, hear this, "" I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, "" From the time of its being, I [am] there, "" And now Lord YHWH has sent Me, and His Spirit.” <a href="/ylt/isaiah/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Come ye near unto me, hear this, Not from the beginning in secret spake I, From the time of its being, there am I, And now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and His Spirit. <a href="/slt/isaiah/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Draw ye near to me, hear this; I spake not in secret in the beginning; from the time of its being, there was I: and now the Lord Jehovah sent me, and his spirit.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Come ye near unto me, and hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning: from the time before it was done, I was there, and now the Lord God hath sent me, and his spirit. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Draw near to me, and listen to this. From the beginning, I have not spoken in secret. From the time before it happened, I was there. And now, the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit. <a href="/nabre/isaiah/48.htm">New American Bible</a> Come near to me and hear this! From the beginning I did not speak in secret; At the time it happens, I am there: “Now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his spirit.” <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Draw near to me, hear this! From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord GOD has sent me and his spirit.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Come near to me, listen to this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the creation, there am I; and now the LORD God, and his Spirit, has sent me. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Come to me and hear this, because from the origin I have not spoken in a secret place, and from the time that it was, there I am, and now LORD JEHOVAH God has sent me and his Spirit. <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; From the time that it was, there am I; And now the Lord GOD hath sent me, and His spirit. <a href="/sep/isaiah/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Draw nigh to me, and hear ye these words; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning: when it took place, there was I, and now the Lord, even the Lord, and his Spirit, hath sent me. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/48-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=10819" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/48.htm">Deliverance Promised to Israel</a> …15I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I have brought him, and he will succeed in his mission. 16<a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: qir·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">Come near</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘ū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">and listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">to this:</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: mê·rōš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">From the beginning</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·bar·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">spoken</a> <a href="/hebrew/5643.htm" title="5643: bas·sê·ṯer (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A covering, hiding place, secrecy. Or cithrah,; from cathar; a cover.">in secret;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: mê·‘êṯ (Prep-m:: N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">from the time</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yō·w·ṯāh (V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">it happened,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ā·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">was there.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">And now</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3069.htm" title="3069: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- YHWH. A variation of Yhovah.">GOD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šə·lā·ḥa·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">has sent me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: wə·rū·ḥōw (Conj-w:: N-csc:: 3ms) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">accompanied by His Spirit.</a> 17Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/14-26.htm">John 14:26</a> But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13-15</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. / He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. / Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/john/8-42.htm">John 8:42</a> Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. <a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49</a> I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. <a href="/john/17-8.htm">John 17:8</a> For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Acts 10:38</a> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4</a> But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a> On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/1_john/4-9.htm">1 John 4:9</a> This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a> The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1-2</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, <a href="/micah/3-8.htm">Micah 3:8</a> As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Come you near to me, hear you 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, has sent me.I have not<a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Isaiah 48:3-6</a> I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass… <a href="/isaiah/45-19.htm">Isaiah 45:19</a> I 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.<a href="/john/18-20.htm">John 18:20</a> Jesus 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.the Lord God<a href="/isaiah/11-1.htm">Isaiah 11:1-5</a> And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: … <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1-3</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; … <a href="/zechariah/2-8.htm">Zechariah 2:8-11</a> For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/2-20.htm">Announcement</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-7.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-14.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-12.htm">First</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-6.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-14.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-10.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-3.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Start</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-8.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Announcement</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-4.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-8.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-18.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-2.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-22.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-6.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/micah/6-13.htm">Start</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-8.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 48</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/48-1.htm">God, to convince the people of their foreknown obstinance, revealed his prophecies</a> 9. <a href="/isaiah/48-9.htm">He saves them for his own sake</a> 12. <a href="/isaiah/48-12.htm">He exhorts them to obedience, because of his power and providence</a> 16. <a href="/isaiah/48-16.htm">He laments their backwardness</a> 20. <a href="/isaiah/48-20.htm">He powerfully delivers his people out of Babylon</a> </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'; 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It reflects the prophetic tradition where God calls His people to heed His words. This echoes the call to listen found throughout the prophetic books, such as in <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Isaiah 1:2</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, emphasizing the importance of hearing and obeying God's voice.From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; This statement highlights God's transparency and faithfulness in revealing His plans and purposes. It contrasts with the practices of pagan deities, who often communicated through secretive and mysterious means. This openness is consistent with God's nature as seen in <a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a>, where He reveals His plans to His prophets.from the time it happened, I was there.” This phrase underscores God's omnipresence and sovereignty throughout history. It affirms that God is not only aware of events but actively involved in them. This is reminiscent of God's presence in creation (<a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1:1-2</a>) and His ongoing involvement in the affairs of the world.And now the Lord GOD has sent me, Here, the speaker identifies themselves as being sent by the Lord GOD, indicating a divine commission. This is a common theme in the prophetic literature, where prophets are sent by God to deliver His messages (e.g., <a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Jeremiah 1:7</a>). This also foreshadows the sending of Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father (<a href="/john/20-21.htm">John 20:21</a>).accompanied by His Spirit. The mention of the Spirit signifies divine empowerment and guidance. The Spirit's role in the Old Testament includes inspiring prophets and enabling them to carry out their missions (e.g., <a href="/ezekiel/2-2.htm">Ezekiel 2:2</a>). This also prefigures the New Testament understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of Jesus (<a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18</a>) and the early church (<a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> The prophet who is delivering God's message to the people of Israel. He is a central figure in the book of Isaiah, serving as God's mouthpiece. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The Lord GOD</a> Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign and actively involved in the affairs of His people. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit.htm">The Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit, who is mentioned as accompanying the one sent by the Lord GOD, indicating divine empowerment and presence. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The primary audience of Isaiah's message, God's chosen people who are being called to listen and respond to His word. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_beginning.htm">The Beginning</a> Refers to the time of creation or the inception of God's plans, emphasizing His eternal nature and foreknowledge.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_eternal_presence.htm">God's Eternal Presence</a> God has been present and active from the beginning of time. This assures us of His sovereignty and faithfulness throughout history and in our lives today. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit is integral to God's mission, empowering and guiding His messengers. We, too, are empowered by the Spirit to fulfill God's purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_listen_and_obey.htm">The Call to Listen and Obey</a> Just as Israel was called to listen, we are invited to draw near to God and heed His word. This requires intentionality and openness to His guidance. <a href="/topical/g/god's_revelation_is_not_secret.htm">God's Revelation is Not Secret</a> God desires to be known and has revealed Himself openly through His word and actions. We are encouraged to seek understanding and share His truth with others. <a href="/topical/t/the_sending_of_god's_servants.htm">The Sending of God's Servants</a> God sends His servants with a purpose, accompanied by His Spirit. We are called to recognize our own sending and mission in the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_48.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 48</a> <a href="/q/how_is_the_trinity_monotheistic.htm">How does the Trinity fit with monotheism?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_holy_spirit_god.htm">Is the Holy Spirit considered to be God?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_deut._6_4_align_with_the_trinity.htm">How can Deuteronomy 6:4, declaring “the LORD is one,” be reconciled with later Christian concepts of the Trinity? </a> <a href="/q/is_the_trinity_in_the_old_testament.htm">Is the Trinity referenced in the Old Testament?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/48.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Come ye near unto me.--Here the address would seem to be made to Israel. At first Jehovah appears as the speaker, and as using much the same language as before. At the close the prophet appears abruptly, as speaking in his own person. Perhaps, indeed, the prophet is the speaker throughout. A paraphrase will perhaps help to explain the sequence of thought. "I have not from the beginning of my prophetic work spoken in dark, ambiguous speeches like the oracles of the heathen. From the time that the great work began to unfold itself I was present, contemplating it. Now the time of revelation has come. The Lord God hath sent me (this is the Hebrew order); and His Spirit. This gives, it is believed, an adequate explanation. By some interpreters the closing words are referred to the mysterious "Servant of the Lord," and by others the Spirit is made the object and not the subject of the word "sent."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 16-22. - THE THIRD ADDRESS. Israel is reminded of God's merciful teaching and leading in the past (vers. 16, 17); expostulated with on their disobedience (vers. 18, 19); exhorted to go forth boldly and joyfully from Babylon (vers. 20, 21); and finally warned that God's blessings - even such a blessing as deliverance - are no blessings to any but the righteous (ver. 22). Verse 16. - I have not spoken in secret from the beginning. God, "from the beginning," i.e. from his first dealings with Israel, had raised up a succession of prophets, who had declared his will, not "in secret," or ambiguously, but openly and plainly, so that all who heard might understand (comp. <a href="/isaiah/45-19.htm">Isaiah 45:19</a>, and see the comment ad loc.). From the time that it was, there am I; i.e. "from the time that the earth was, there (in the succession of my prophetic messengers) was I." It was I who spake by their mouth, and thus announced my will publicly. And now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. Dr. Kay supposes that "one Divine Personage is here sent by another" - the Second Person of the Holy Trinity by the First and by the Third; but it is against the analogy of faith that the Third Person should send the Second. Probably Mr. Cheyne is right in suggesting that "here a fresh speaker is introduced," and also right in his supposition that the fresh speaker is "the prophet himself," who tells us that he is now carrying on the goodly succession which has been "from the beginning," and is sent to deliver his message by God (the Father) and his (Holy) Spirit. On the tendency of Isaiah to "hypostatize" the Spirit of God, see the comment on Isaiah 40:13; and compare Mr. Cheyne's note on the same passage ('Prophecies of Isaiah,' vol. 1. p. 243). <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/48-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Come near קִרְב֧וּ (qir·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> To come near, approach to Me אֵלַ֣י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to and listen שִׁמְעוּ־ (šim·‘ū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently to this: זֹ֗את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, “From the beginning מֵרֹאשׁ֙ (mê·rōš) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head I have not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no spoken דִּבַּ֔רְתִּי (dib·bar·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue in secret; בַּסֵּ֣תֶר (bas·sê·ṯer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5643.htm">Strong's 5643: </a> A covering, hiding place, secrecy from the time מֵעֵ֥ת (mê·‘êṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> Time, now, when it took place, הֱיוֹתָ֖הּ (hĕ·yō·w·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be I אָ֑נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I was there.” שָׁ֣ם (šām) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither And now וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> At this time the Lord אֲדֹנָ֧י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> The Lord GOD יְהוִ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH has sent me, שְׁלָחַ֖נִי (šə·lā·ḥa·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out accompanied by His Spirit. וְרוּחֽוֹ׃ (wə·rū·ḥōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/48-16.htm">Isaiah 48:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-16.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 48:16 Come you near to me hear you (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/48-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 48:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 48:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/48-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 48:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 48:17" /></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>