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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 41:28 When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_41_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 41:28 - Meaningless Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/41-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/41-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/41.htm">Chapter 41</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/41-27.htm" title="Isaiah 41:27">◄</a> Isaiah 41:28 <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm" title="Isaiah 41:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/41.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I look but there is no one— no one among the gods to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Not one of your idols told you this. Not one gave any answer when I asked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But when I look, there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I beheld, and <i>there was</i> no man; even among them, and <i>there was</i> no counseller, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I looked, and <i>there was</i> no man; I looked among them, but <i>there was</i> no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“But when I look, there is no one, And there is no counselor among them Who, if I ask, can give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But when I look, there is no one, And there is no counselor among them Who, if I ask, can give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But when I look, there is no one, And there is no counselor among them Who, if I ask, can give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But I look, and there is no one, And there is no counselor among them Who, if I ask, can respond <i>with</i> a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“But when I look [on the pagan prophets and priests], there is no one [who could predict these events], And there is no counselor among them, Who, if I ask, can give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />None of these idols are able to give advice or answer questions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when I look, there is no man; even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When I look, there is no one. There is no one to advise them. When I ask them a question, will they give an answer?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When I looked among the gods, none of them had a thing to say; not one could answer the questions I asked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But when I look, there is no one— among them there's no one to give counsel, no one to give an answer when I ask them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I look, but there is no one, among them there is no one who serves as an adviser, that I might ask questions and receive answers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no man; even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counselor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is no man, even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask, can answer a word. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I see that there is no man, "" Indeed, of these that there is no counselor, "" And I ask them, and they return word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I see that there is no man, Yea, of these that there is no counsellor, And I ask them, and they return word:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I shall see, and no man; and from these, and no counselor; and I shall ask them, and they will not turn back a word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I saw, and there was no one even among them to consult, or who, when I asked, could answer a word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I saw, and there was no one among any of them to consult, or who, when I asked, could answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When I look, there is not one, not one of them to give counsel, to make an answer when I question them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But when I look there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For I beheld, and there was no man who could meditate about these things, that I might ask him, and that he might give me an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I looked and there was no man who thought upon these things, that I would ask them and they would give me an answer<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I look, but there is no man; Even among them, but there is no counsellor, That, when I ask of them, can give an answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For from among the nations, behold, <i>there was</i> no one; and of their idols there was none to declare <i>anything</i>: and if I should ask them, Whence are ye? they could not answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/41-28.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=9068" 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">27</span>I was the first to tell Zion: ‘Look, here they are!’ And I gave to Jerusalem a herald of good news. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wə·’ê·re (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">When I look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one;</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3289.htm" title="3289: yō·w·‘êṣ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To advise, counsel. A primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve.">counselor</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ū·mê·’êl·leh (Conj-w, Prep-m:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">among them;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: wə·’eš·’ā·lêm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-1cs:: 3mp) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">when I ask them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·yā·šî·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">they have nothing to say.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.…<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/40-13.htm">Isaiah 40:13-14</a></span><br />Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?<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/44-7.htm">Isaiah 44:7-8</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. / Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.”<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="/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="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a></span><br />Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14-15</a></span><br />Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-22.htm">Jeremiah 14:22</a></span><br />Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Jeremiah 23:21-22</a></span><br />I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-7</a></span><br />They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-6.htm">Micah 3:6-7</a></span><br />Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a></span><br />For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-17</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counselor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.</p><p class="hdg">I beheld</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/63-5.htm">Isaiah 63:5</a></b></br> And I looked, and <i>there was</i> none to help; and I wondered that <i>there was</i> none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">Daniel 2:10,11</a></b></br> The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore <i>there is</i> no king, lord, nor ruler, <i>that</i> asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-7.htm">Daniel 4:7,8</a></b></br> Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof… </p><p class="hdg">answer.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Counsellor</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Counselor</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-12.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-27.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/63-5.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Counsellor</a> <a href="/micah/4-9.htm">Counselor</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-3.htm">Word</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>When I look, there is no one;</b><br>This phrase reflects God's search for a righteous leader or prophet among the people of Israel who can provide guidance and wisdom. Historically, this period was marked by Israel's spiritual decline and idolatry, leading to a lack of true spiritual leadership. The absence of a righteous person highlights the nation's failure to uphold God's covenant. This echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/ezekiel/22-30.htm">Ezekiel 22:30</a>, where God searches for someone to stand in the gap but finds none.<p><b>there is no counselor among them;</b><br>The term "counselor" refers to someone who provides wisdom and guidance, often associated with leadership roles. In the context of ancient Israel, counselors were expected to offer advice based on God's law. The absence of such figures indicates a spiritual void and a reliance on false prophets and idols. This lack of true counsel is contrasted with the wisdom of Christ, who is called the "Wonderful Counselor" in <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a>, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of divine wisdom in Jesus.<p><b>when I ask them, they have nothing to say.</b><br>This phrase underscores the futility of seeking wisdom from those who are spiritually blind and deaf. It reflects the silence of idols and false prophets, who cannot provide true answers or guidance. This silence is a judgment against the people for turning away from God. In contrast, the New Testament presents Jesus as the Word of God (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1</a>), who speaks truth and life, fulfilling the role of the ultimate prophet and teacher.<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/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Isaiah to return to God and forsake idolatry and injustice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, expressing His disappointment in the lack of wisdom and guidance among the leaders of Judah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/counselors.htm">Counselors</a></b><br>Refers to the leaders and wise men of Judah who were expected to provide guidance and answers but failed to do so.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Isaiah 41</a> includes a critique of idolatry, highlighting the futility of seeking wisdom from false gods and idols.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Futility of Human Wisdom</a></b><br>Human wisdom, apart from God, is ultimately futile. We must seek divine wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_godly_counsel.htm">The Role of Godly Counsel</a></b><br>Godly counsel is essential for making wise decisions. We should seek advice from those who are grounded in Scripture and have a strong relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry can take many forms, including the elevation of human wisdom above God's truth. We must guard our hearts against anything that takes the place of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_disappointment_in_unfaithfulness.htm">God's Disappointment in Unfaithfulness</a></b><br>God desires faithfulness and wisdom from His people. When we fail to seek Him, we miss out on His guidance and blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god.htm">The Importance of Seeking God</a></b><br>In times of uncertainty, we should turn to God for answers, trusting that He will provide the wisdom we need.<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/what_language_did_adam_and_eve_speak.htm">What actions to take when peace is absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_skeptical_theism_say_on_divine_hiddenness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental health?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_wrote_the_book_of_joshua.htm">How can angels sin if heaven is sinless?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_holiness,_sanctification.htm">How can I find hope in times of despair?</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>(28) F<span class= "bld">or I beheld, and there was no man</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>no one who had foretold the future. Jehovah, speaking through the prophet, looks round in vain for that.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For I beheld</span>. "Jehovah once more looks round to see if any of the idols possess an ability to prophesy, but in vain" (Cheyne). <span class="cmt_word">He finds no counsellor</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> no prophet, among them. Hence the final "outburst of scorn" in ver. 29, which, however, is directed primarily against the idol-worshippers, and, only through them, against the idols. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/41-28.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">When I look,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֙רֶא֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·re)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one;</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">counselor</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹעֵ֑ץ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3289.htm">Strong's 3289: </a> </span><span class="str2">To advise, to deliberate, resolve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among them;</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמֵאֵ֖לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mê·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when I ask them,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶשְׁאָלֵ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eš·’ā·lêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have nothing to say.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָשִׁ֥יבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·šî·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/41-28.htm">Isaiah 41:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/41-28.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:28 When I look there is no man (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/41-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 41:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 41:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:29" /></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>