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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 41:21 "Present your case," says the LORD. "Submit your arguments," says the King of Jacob.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/23_Isa_41_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 41:21 - Meaningless Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Present your case, says the LORD. 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bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong <i>reasons</i>, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Bring forth your strong <i>reasons,</i>” says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Present your case,” the LORD says. “Bring forward your evidence,” The King of Jacob says.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Present your case,&#8221 the LORD says. &#8220Bring forward your strong arguments,&#8221 The King of Jacob says.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Present your case,” the LORD says. “Bring forward your strong <i>arguments,</i>” The King of Jacob says.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Bring near your case,” Yahweh says. “Bring forward your mighty <i>arguments</i>,” The King of Jacob says.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Present your case [for idols made by men’s hands],” says the LORD. “Produce your evidence [of divinity],” Says the king of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Submit your case,” says the LORD. “Present your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Submit your case,&#8221 says the LORD.&#8221 Present your arguments,&#8221 says Jacob&#8217s King.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Produce your cause, saith Jehovah; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am the LORD, the King of Israel! Come argue your case with me. Present your evidence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forward your best arguments," says Jacob's king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD, the king of Israel, has this to say: "You gods of the nations, present your case. Bring the best arguments you have! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Put forward your case!" says the LORD. "Submit your arguments!" says Jacob's King.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Present your case,? says the LORD. ?Submit your arguments,? says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Present your argument," says the LORD. "Produce your evidence," says Jacob's king. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Produce your cause," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Produce your cause,” says Yahweh. “Bring out your strong reasons!” says the King of Jacob. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Bring your cause near, says YHWH, "" Bring your mighty ones near, says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Bring near your cause, saith Jehovah, Bring nigh your mighty ones, saith the king of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Bring near your cause, Will say Jehovah; draw near your strong defences, will the king of Jacob say:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Bring your cause near, saith the Lord: bring hither, if you have any thing to allege, saith the King of Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Bring your case forward, says the Lord. Bring it here, if you have anything to allege, says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Present your case, says the LORD; bring forward your arguments, says the King of Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Set forth your case, says the LORD; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Bring near your cause, says the LORD; bring near your counsels, says the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Bring near your legal case, says LORD JEHOVAH. Bring near your counsels, says The King of Yaqob<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Produce your cause, saith the LORD; Bring forth your reasons, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Your judgement draws nigh, saith the Lord God; your counsel have drawn nigh, saith the King of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/41-21.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=8989" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Meaningless Idols</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: qā·rə·ḇū (V-Piel-Imp-mp) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">“Present</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rî·ḇə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">your case,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: hag·gî·šū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To draw near, approach. ">“Submit</a> <a href="/hebrew/6110.htm" title="6110: ‘ă·ṣu·mō·w·ṯê·ḵem (N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Perhaps defense. Feminine of atsuwm; a bulwark, i.e. argument.">your arguments,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the King</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">of Jacob.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>“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.…<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/43-9.htm">Isaiah 43:9-10</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.” / “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.<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/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20-21</a></span><br />Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. / Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/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="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5-7</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.” / There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. / Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10-12</a></span><br />But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. / Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” / The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Jeremiah 23:28-29</a></span><br />Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD. / “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20-22</a></span><br />But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” / You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21-24</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. / Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. / Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22-31</a></span><br />Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. / For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. / The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15-17</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. / In past generations, He let all nations go their own way. / Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-19.htm">Romans 1:19-23</a></span><br />For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. / For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Produce your cause, said the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, said the King of Jacob.</p><p class="hdg">produce.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3,4</a></b></br> Oh that I knew where I might find him! <i>that</i> I might come <i>even</i> to his seat! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-37.htm">Job 31:37</a></b></br> I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-3.htm">Job 38:3</a></b></br> Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Arguments</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Case</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-5.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-10.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Present</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-30.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/acts/9-22.htm">Proofs</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Reasons</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-6.htm">Strong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Arguments</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-26.htm">Case</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-26.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-24.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-19.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-6.htm">Present</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-5.htm">Produce</a> <a href="/acts/1-3.htm">Proofs</a> <a href="/luke/14-18.htm">Reasons</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">Strong</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>“Present your case,” says the LORD.</b><br>This phrase is a divine challenge issued by God to the idols and false gods worshiped by the nations surrounding Israel. In the context of Isaiah, God is contrasting His power and sovereignty with the impotence of idols. The phrase suggests a courtroom setting where evidence is to be presented. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of legal disputes being settled before a king or judge. Theologically, it underscores God's role as the ultimate judge and arbiter of truth. This challenge is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God demonstrates His superiority over false gods, such as the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in <a href="/1_kings/18.htm">1 Kings 18</a>.<p><b>“Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.</b><br>Here, God is referred to as the "King of Jacob," emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel, Jacob's descendants. This title highlights God's authority and His protective role over His chosen people. The use of "submit your arguments" continues the legal metaphor, inviting the idols to prove their worth and power. Historically, this reflects the cultural context of the time, where legal disputes were common and often involved presenting evidence or arguments before a ruler. Theologically, it points to God's omniscience and the futility of opposing Him. The phrase also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over all falsehood, a theme that culminates in the New Testament with the triumph of Christ, who is often seen as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who is challenging the idols and false gods to present their case.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king_of_jacob.htm">The King of Jacob</a></b><br>A title for God, emphasizing His sovereignty and covenant relationship with the descendants of Jacob (Israel).<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols/false_gods.htm">Idols/False gods</a></b><br>The entities being challenged by God to prove their power and legitimacy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, often referred to as Jacob, representing the people to whom God is speaking.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/courtroom_imagery.htm">Courtroom Imagery</a></b><br>The setting is metaphorically a courtroom where God invites the idols to present their case, highlighting His authority and the futility of idol worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_authority.htm">God's Sovereignty and Authority</a></b><br>God alone is sovereign and has the authority to challenge any false claims of divinity. This reminds us to trust in His ultimate power and control over all things.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry, whether ancient or modern, is futile. We must examine our lives for anything that takes the place of God and turn away from it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_present_our_case.htm">The Call to Present Our Case</a></b><br>Just as God challenges the idols, we are called to examine our beliefs and present our case for faith in the true God. This involves knowing why we believe and being ready to defend our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_people.htm">God's Faithfulness to His People</a></b><br>As the King of Jacob, God is faithful to His covenant people. We can trust in His promises and His commitment to us as His children.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_the_world.htm">Engaging with the World</a></b><br>Like God’s challenge to the idols, we are called to engage with the world, presenting the truth of the Gospel with confidence and clarity.<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/why_do_scholars_think_isaiah_has_multiple_authors.htm">Why do some scholars believe that sections of Isaiah were written by multiple authors centuries apart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_link_isaiah's_prophecy_to_jesus.htm">If Isaiah's prophecy was meant to reassure King Ahaz centuries before Jesus's birth, why do some believe it refers to Jesus in Matthew?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_number_of_gods.htm">What is the number of gods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_prophetic_word.htm">What defines a prophetic word?</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>(21) <span class= "bld">Produce your cause.</span>--The scene of <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm" title="Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.">Isaiah 41:1</a> is reproduced. The worshippers of idols, as the prophet sees them in his vision hurrying hither and thither to consult their oracles, are challenged, on the ground not only of the great things God hath done, but of His knowledge of those things. The history of Herodotus supplies some striking illustrations. Cr?us and the Cum?ans, and the Phocaeans, and the Athenians are all sending to Delphi, or consulting their seers, as to this startling apparition of a new conqueror.<p><span class= "bld">Your strong reasons.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">bulwarks, </span>or <span class= "ital">strongholds. </span>So we speak of <span class= "ital">impregnable </span>proofs.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21-29.</span> - JEHOVAH'S CONTROVERSY WITH THE NATIONS AND THEIR IDOL-GODS. The argument is now taken up from vers. 1-4. Jehovah and his worshippers are on the one side; the idol-gods and their votaries on the other. The direct challenge, however, is given by Jehovah himself to the idols: <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> What predictions of their own can they bring forward as proofs of supernatural knowledge? <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> What indications can they give of power either to do good or to do evil (vers. 22, 23)? If they can do neither, they are vanity (ver. 24). Jehovah has both reared up Cyrus he and he only - and has announced the good tidings to his people (vers. 25-27). No such announcement has been made by the idol-gods; they are therefore mere "wind and confusion" (vers. 28, 29). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Produce your cause</span>. The nations had been told to "draw near" - to "keep silence" while God spoke - and "then to speak" (ver. 1). Now the time for them to speak is come, and they are challenged to "<span class="accented">produce"</span> and plead "their cause." Your strong reasons; literally, <span class="accented">your bulwarks</span>, or <span class="accented">defences.</span> Saith the King of Jacob. The king and tutelary god of the nation, Israel, really holding the position that the idol-gods were regarded as holding towards the peoples that worshipped them. The "kingly" character of the idol-gods was indicated in such names as Moloch (equivalent to "king"), Melkarth (equivalent to "king of the city"), Adrammelech (equivalent to "glorious king"), Baal (equivalent to "lord"), Adonis (equivalent to "my lord"), etc. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/41-21.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">“Present</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרְב֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your case,”</span><br /><span class="heb">רִֽיבְכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(rî·ḇə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Submit</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gî·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your arguments,”</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲצֻמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ṣu·mō·w·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6110.htm">Strong's 6110: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bulwark, argument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאמַ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the King</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Jacob.</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/41-21.htm">Isaiah 41:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:21 Produce your cause says Yahweh (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 41:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 41:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:22" /></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>