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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 48:5 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.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/48-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/23_Isa_48_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 48:5 - Israel's Stubbornness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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.'" /><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/48-5.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/48-5.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/48.htm">Chapter 48</a> > Verse 5</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="/ad5.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/48-4.htm" title="Isaiah 48:4">◄</a> Isaiah 48:5 <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm" title="Isaiah 48:6">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/isaiah/48.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/isaiah/48.htm">New International Version</a> Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, &#8216My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/isaiah/48.htm">New Living Translation</a> That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen!’ <a href="/esv/isaiah/48.htm">English Standard Version</a> I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’ <a href="/bsb/isaiah/48.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/kjv/isaiah/48.htm">King James Bible</a> I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/48.htm">New King James Version</a> Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them.’ <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/48.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they took place I proclaimed them to you, So that you would not say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my cast metal image have commanded them.’ <a href="/nasb/isaiah/48.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they took place I proclaimed them to you, So that you would not say, &#8216My idol has done them, And my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/48.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they took place I proclaimed them to you, Lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, And my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.’ <a href="/lsb/isaiah/48.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they happened I caused them to be heard by you, Lest you say, ‘My idol has done them, And my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.’ <a href="/amp/isaiah/48.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I have declared them to you long ago; Before they came to pass I announced them to you, So that you could not say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my cast image have commanded them.’ <a href="/csb/isaiah/48.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> therefore I declared to you long ago. I announced it to you before it occurred, so you could not claim, ‘My idol caused them; my carved image and cast idol control them.’ <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/48.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> therefore I declared to you long ago. I announced it to you before it occurred, so you could not claim, &#8216My idol caused them; my carved image and cast idol control them.&#8217 <a href="/asv/isaiah/48.htm">American Standard Version</a> therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. <a href="/cev/isaiah/48.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And I told you these things, so that when they happened you would not say, "The idols we worship did this." <a href="/erv/isaiah/48.htm">English Revised Version</a> therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/48.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> That is why I revealed to you what would happen long ago. I told you about them before they happened. [I did this] so you couldn't say, "My gods have done these things. My carved idols and my metal idols have commanded them to happen." <a href="/gnt/isaiah/48.htm">Good News Translation</a> And so I predicted your future long ago, announcing events before they took place, to keep you from claiming that your idols and images made them happen. <a href="/isv/isaiah/48.htm">International Standard Version</a> I told you these things long ago; I announced them to you before they happened so that you couldn't say, 'My idol did them; my carved image or metal idol ordained them.' <a href="/msb/isaiah/48.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/isaiah/48.htm">NET Bible</a> I announced them to you beforehand; before they happened, I predicted them for you, so you could never say, 'My image did these things, my idol, my cast image, decreed them.' <a href="/nheb/isaiah/48.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, 'My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.' <a href="/wbt/isaiah/48.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I showed it thee: lest thou shouldst say, My idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. <a href="/web/isaiah/48.htm">World English Bible</a> therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them. My engraved image and my molten image has commanded them.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/48.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And from that time I declare [it] to you, "" Before it comes I have caused you to hear, "" Lest you say, My idol has done them, "" And my carved image, "" And my molten image commanded them. <a href="/ylt/isaiah/48.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I declare to thee from that time, Before it cometh I have caused thee to hear, Lest thou say, 'Mine idol hath done them, And my graven image, And my molten image did command them. <a href="/slt/isaiah/48.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I will announce to thee from then; before it shall come I caused thee to hear, lest thou shalt say, My image did them; and my carved image, and my Molten image commanded them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/48.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I foretold thee of old, before they came to pass I told thee, lest thou shouldst say: My idols have done these things, and my graven and molten things have commanded them. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/48.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> From that time, I foretold to you. Before these things happened, I revealed them to you, lest you say: “My idols have accomplished these things, and my graven and molten images have commanded them.” <a href="/nabre/isaiah/48.htm">New American Bible</a> I declared them to you of old; before they took place I informed you, That you might not say, “My idol did them, my statue, my molten image commanded them.” <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/48.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I declared them to you from long ago, before they came to pass I announced them to you, so that you would not say, “My idol did them, my carved image and my cast image commanded them.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/48.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I have made them known to you from of old; before they came to pass I declared them to you, lest you should say, My idols did them; and my graven images and my molten images have saved me. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/48.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I have shown you from former time, and before they would come I made you hear, lest you would say, “My idols have done it, and my carvings and my molten things have saved me!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/48.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; Before it came to pass I announced it to thee; Lest thou shouldest say: 'Mine idol hath done them, And my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.' <a href="/sep/isaiah/48.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And I told thee of old what should be before it came upon thee; I made it known to thee, lest thou shouldest say, My idols have done it for me; and shouldest say, My graven and molten images have commanded me. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/48-5.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=10692" 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">Israel's Stubbornness</a> …4For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze. 5<a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wā·’ag·gîḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To be conspicuous. ">Therefore I declared it</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">to you</a> <a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: mê·’āz (Prep-m:: Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">long ago;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: hiš·ma‘·tî·ḵā (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">I announced it</a> <a href="/hebrew/2962.htm" title="2962: bə·ṭe·rem (Prep-b:: Adv) -- From an unused root apparently meaning to interrupt or suspend; properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: tā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">it came to pass,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">so that you could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">claim,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6090.htm" title="6090: ‘ā·ṣə·bî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- An idol, pain. A variation of etseb; an idol; also pain.">‘My idol</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">has done this;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6459.htm" title="6459: ū·p̄is·lî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">my carved image</a> <a href="/hebrew/5262.htm" title="5262: wə·nis·kî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A libation, a cast idol. Or necek; from nacak; a libation; also a cast idol.">and molten god</a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: ṣiw·wām (V-Piel-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">has ordained it.’</a> 6You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.…<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="/deuteronomy/31-21.htm">Deuteronomy 31:21</a> And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” <a href="/isaiah/42-9.htm">Isaiah 42:9</a> Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” <a href="/isaiah/44-7.htm">Isaiah 44:7-8</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">Isaiah 41:22-23</a> “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. / 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. <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a> 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.’ <a href="/jeremiah/44-28.htm">Jeremiah 44:28-29</a> Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs! / This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand. <a href="/ezekiel/24-24.htm">Ezekiel 24:24-27</a> ‘Thus Ezekiel will be a sign for you; you will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ / And you, son of man, know that on the day I take away their stronghold, their pride and joy—the desire of their eyes which uplifted their souls—and their sons and daughters as well, / on that day a fugitive will come and tell you the news. ... <a href="/john/13-19.htm">John 13:19</a> I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He. <a href="/john/14-29.htm">John 14:29</a> And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a> He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. <a href="/acts/3-18.htm">Acts 3:18</a> But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. <a href="/acts/15-18.htm">Acts 15:18</a> that have been known for ages.’ <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Romans 8:29-30</a> For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. / And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. <a href="/romans/11-2.htm">Romans 11:2</a> God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: <a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">1 Corinthians 2:7</a> No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I have even from the beginning declared it to you; before it came to pass I showed it you: lest you should say, My idol has done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, has commanded them.even<a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Isaiah 48:3</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/44-7.htm">Isaiah 44:7</a> And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.<a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a> Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:mine idol<a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8,9</a> I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images… <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm">Jeremiah 44:17,18</a> But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Announced</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Image</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-12.htm">Metal</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-10.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-12.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-12.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Shewed</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-21.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-26.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Wooden</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/48-7.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm">Announced</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-7.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-14.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-16.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-16.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-14.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Image</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Metal</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-5.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-19.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm">Shewed</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-7.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-7.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Wooden</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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This phrase emphasizes God's foreknowledge and sovereignty. In the context of Isaiah, God is speaking to the Israelites, reminding them that He has revealed His plans and purposes well in advance. This is consistent with the biblical theme of prophecy, where God communicates future events to His people through prophets. The declaration "long ago" underscores God's eternal nature and His control over history, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a>, where God declares the end from the beginning.I announced it before it came to pass, Here, God highlights His ability to predict future events accurately, distinguishing Him from false gods and idols. This serves as evidence of His divine authority and power. The historical context involves the Babylonian exile and the eventual return of the Israelites, events that were foretold by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. This foretelling is a testament to God's faithfulness and His covenant relationship with Israel.so that you could not claim, This phrase indicates God's intention to prevent the Israelites from attributing His works to false gods. It reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, where idolatry was a persistent issue. By revealing His plans beforehand, God removes any basis for the Israelites to credit their idols with His actions, reinforcing the first commandment against idolatry (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>).‘My idol has done this; Idolatry was a significant problem in Israel's history, often leading them away from true worship of Yahweh. This phrase captures the tendency of the Israelites to attribute divine acts to their idols. The biblical narrative frequently condemns idol worship, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, which mock the futility of idols. This serves as a reminder of the spiritual blindness that can result from idolatry.my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’ The reference to "carved image and molten god" highlights the physical nature of idols, contrasting them with the living God. In the ancient Near East, idols were often crafted from wood, stone, or metal, and were believed to possess power. However, the Bible consistently portrays them as powerless and lifeless (<a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>). This phrase underscores the folly of trusting in man-made objects rather than the Creator, and it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the true image of the invisible God (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He served as a prophet in Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. The people of Judah were often tempted to worship idols, which Isaiah frequently addressed. 3. <a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a> Objects of worship made by human hands, often representing false gods. In Isaiah's time, the people of Judah were prone to idolatry, which led them away from the true God. 4. <a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy</a> The act of declaring a message from God, often concerning future events. Isaiah's prophecies were meant to demonstrate God's sovereignty and foreknowledge. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The central theme of this passage, highlighting God's control over history and His ability to declare events before they happen.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_foreknowledge_and_sovereignty.htm">God's Foreknowledge and Sovereignty</a> God declares events before they happen to demonstrate His control over history and to affirm His sovereignty. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a> Idols are powerless and cannot predict or control the future. Trusting in them leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_prophecy.htm">The Importance of Prophecy</a> Prophecy serves as a testament to God's omniscience and faithfulness. It is a tool for strengthening our faith and trust in Him. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_hand_in_our_lives.htm">Recognizing God's Hand in Our Lives</a> We should be attentive to how God works in our lives, acknowledging His guidance and provision rather than attributing success to our own efforts or other sources. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_modern_idolatry.htm">Avoiding Modern Idolatry</a> While we may not worship physical idols today, anything that takes precedence over God in our lives can become an idol. We must guard our hearts against such distractions.<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_verify_isaiah_48_3-5_predates_events.htm">In Isaiah 48:3–5, how can we verify that these prophecies weren’t written or edited after the events occurred? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_isaiah_44_9-20_and_israel's_idol_history_align.htm">How do the references to idols in Isaiah 44:9-20 align with Israel's historical and archeological record of worship practices?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_habakkuk's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">(Habakkuk 2:18-19) How does the critique of idols align with accounts elsewhere that depict different perspectives or tolerances toward idol worship?</a> <a href="/q/why_worship_silent,_immobile_idols.htm">Why worship idols that cannot speak or move?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/48.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - I have even from the beginning declared it (comp. ver. 3). The declaration here made is that God rendered his prophecies more than ordinarily marvellous on account of Israel's obstinacy, not punishing them for it, lint seeking graciously and lovingly to overcome it by adding to the weight of the evidence to which he would fain have had it yield. Had his prophecies been less astonishing, had they in a less degree transcended ordinary human experience, Israel might conceivably have ascribed them and the accomplishment of them to the false gods. As it was, this was barely possible. Mine idol... my molten image. It has been already observed (see the comment on Isaiah 40:18) that there was a strong tendency to idolatry among the Jews, not only before, but during the Captivity. Ezekiel says that those among whom he lived were "polluted after the manner of their fathers, and committed whoredom after their abominations; made their sons pass through the fire, and polluted themselves with all their idols" (<a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Ezekiel 20:30, 31</a>); nay, went so far as to declare boldly, "We will be as the heathen, as the inhabitants of the countries, to serve wood and stone" (<a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Ezekiel 20:32</a>). The "prevailing tendency," as Delitzsch remarks, was "to combine the worship of Jehovah with heathenism, or else to exchange the former altogether for the latter." We cannot conclude anything concerning the mass of the community from the character of those who returned. Those who returned were the sincere worshippers of Jehovah - the irreligious did not care to return. It is always to be borne in mind that it was "the great mass even of Judah," no less than of Israel, that "remained behind" (Delitzsch); and these "became absorbed into the heathen, to whom they became more and more assimilated" (ibid.). Hath commanded them; i.e. "hath caused them (the events) to take place" (comp. <a href="/psalms/33-9.htm">Psalm 33:9</a>). <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/48-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Therefore I declared it וָאַגִּ֤יד (wā·’ag·gîḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> To be conspicuous to you לְךָ֙ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> long ago; מֵאָ֔ז (mê·’āz) Preposition-m | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> At that time, place, therefore I announced it הִשְׁמַעְתִּ֑יךָ (hiš·ma‘·tî·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently before בְּטֶ֥רֶם (bə·ṭe·rem) Preposition-b | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Non-occurrence, not yet, before it came to pass, תָּב֖וֹא (tā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go so you could not פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest claim, תֹּאמַר֙ (tō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘My idol עָצְבִּ֣י (‘ā·ṣə·bî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6091.htm">Strong's 6091: </a> An, image has done this; עָשָׂ֔ם (‘ā·śām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make my carved image וּפִסְלִ֥י (ū·p̄is·lî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6459.htm">Strong's 6459: </a> An idol, image and molten god וְנִסְכִּ֖י (wə·nis·kî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5262.htm">Strong's 5262: </a> A libation, a cast idol has ordained it.’ צִוָּֽם׃ (ṣiw·wām) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/48-5.htm">Isaiah 48:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-5.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 48:5 Therefore I have declared it to you (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 48:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 48:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 48:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 48:6" /></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>