King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why was no one here when I came? Why, when I called, did nobody answer? Is my arm too short to redeem? Have I too little power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into desert, their fish rot for lack of water and they die of thirst;
Berean Standard Bible:
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
American Standard Version:
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Wherefore, when I came{H935}, was there no man{H376}? when I called{H7121}, was there none to answer{H6030}? Is my hand{H3027} shortened{H7114} at all{H7114}, that it cannot redeem{H6304}? or have I no power{H3581} to deliver{H5337}? behold, at my rebuke{H1606} I dry up{H2717} the sea{H3220}, I make{H7760} the rivers{H5104} a wilderness{H4057}: their fish{H1710} stinketh{H887}, because there is no water{H4325}, and dieth{H4191} for thirst{H6772}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 59:1
- ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Numbers 11:23
- And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
Isaiah 66:4
- I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.
Joshua 3:16
- That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
Genesis 18:14
- Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
Hosea 11:7
- And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].
Proverbs 1:24
- Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 50:2
Isaiah 50:2 is part of a larger section often referred to as the "Servant Songs" in the book of Isaiah, which are poetic passages that speak of a mysterious figure known as the "Servant of the Lord." This particular verse is found within the third Servant Song, which spans from Isaiah 50:4-9. The verse in question, however, is often included in the broader context due to its thematic connection.
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is conveying a message from God to the people of Israel, who are in a state of exile and distress. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, a period in the 6th century BCE when many Jews were taken captive to Babylon. The themes of the verse revolve around God's power, redemption, and deliverance.
The rhetorical questions posed in the verse—asking why no one responded when God called or came—suggest a sense of abandonment or lack of faith among the people. God challenges this lack of response by asserting that His power has not diminished; He is fully capable of redeeming and delivering His people. The imagery of drying up the sea and rivers, causing fish to stink and die from thirst, is reminiscent of the Exodus narrative where God parted the Red Sea and demonstrated His sovereignty over nature for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
This verse serves to reassure the exiled Israelites that God has the same power He has always had and is able to save them from their current predicament. It is a call to trust in God's faithfulness and to recognize that, despite their circumstances, God's arm is not too short to save. The verse emphasizes God's active role in history and His ability to transform even the most desolate situations into paths of hope and redemption.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H7114
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָצַר
Transliteration: qâtsar
Pronunciation: kaw-tsar'
Description: a primitive root; to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain); [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex. - Strong's Number: H6304
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פְּדוּת
Transliteration: pᵉdûwth
Pronunciation: ped-ooth'
Description: or פְּדֻת; from קֵדְמָהlemma קדְמָה missing vowel, corrected to קֵדְמָה; distinction; also deliverance; division, redeem, redemption. - Strong's Number: H3581
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּחַ
Transliteration: kôach
Pronunciation: ko'-akh
Description: or (Daniel 11:6) כּוֹחַ; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard; ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. - Strong's Number: H5337
There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַל
Transliteration: nâtsal
Pronunciation: naw-tsal'
Description: a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out). - Strong's Number: H1606
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּעָרָה
Transliteration: gᵉʻârâh
Pronunciation: gheh-aw-raw'
Description: from גָּעַר; a chiding; rebuke(-ing), reproof. - Strong's Number: H2717
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרַב
Transliteration: chârab
Pronunciation: khaw-rab'
Description: or חֲרֵב; a primitive root; to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill; decay, (be) desolate, destroy(-er), (be) dry (up), slay, [idiom] surely, (lay, lie, make) waste. - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H7760
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׂוּם
Transliteration: sûwm
Pronunciation: soom
Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. - Strong's Number: H5104
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָהָר
Transliteration: nâhâr
Pronunciation: naw-hawr'
Description: from נָהַר; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity; flood, river. - Strong's Number: H4057
There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִדְבָּר
Transliteration: midbâr
Pronunciation: mid-bawr'
Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness. - Strong's Number: H1710
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּגָה
Transliteration: dâgâh
Pronunciation: daw-gaw'
Description: feminine of דָּג, and meaning the same; {a fish (often used collectively)}; fish. - Strong's Number: H887
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּאַשׁ
Transliteration: bâʼash
Pronunciation: baw-ash'
Description: a primitive root; to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally; (make to) be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink(-ing savour), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H6772
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָמָא
Transliteration: tsâmâʼ
Pronunciation: tsaw-maw'
Description: from צָמֵא; thirst (literally or figuratively); thirst(-y).