Isaiah 41:21

¶ Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong [reasons], saith the King of Jacob.

Produce {H7126} your cause {H7379}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; bring forth {H5066} your strong {H6110} reasons, saith {H559} the King {H4428} of Jacob {H3290}.

"Present your case," says ADONAI, "Produce your arguments," says Ya'akov's king.

“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob.

Produce your cause, saith Jehovah; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.

Isaiah 41:21 presents a powerful declaration from the LORD, challenging the pagan gods and their worshippers to present their case and prove their claims. This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 40-48) where God passionately asserts His incomparable nature and sovereignty over all creation and history, especially in contrast to the impotence of idols.

Context of Isaiah 41:21

This verse is set within a divine courtroom scene. The LORD, addressing the nations and their false deities, invites them to a legal dispute. Earlier in the chapter, God demonstrates His power by raising up Cyrus and orchestrating events for the benefit of Israel, proving His ability to declare future events and bring them to pass (Isaiah 41:2-4). The challenge in verse 21 is a direct response to the inability of idols to predict or effect anything, a point further emphasized by God's challenge to them to declare future things in Isaiah 41:23. It underscores God's unique position as the only true God and King of Jacob.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Challenge: The LORD issues an authoritative command, daring the false gods to "produce your cause" and "bring forth your strong reasons." This highlights His absolute authority and confidence in His own truth and power. He is the ultimate judge and arbiter of truth.
  • The Impotence of Idols: Implicit in this challenge is the complete inability of man-made gods to respond. They have no voice, no power, and no foresight. This contrasts sharply with the living God who speaks, acts, and declares the future, as seen in Isaiah 46:10.
  • God as the "King of Jacob": This title emphasizes God's covenant relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His chosen people. It also asserts His universal kingship and dominion, particularly over His people's enemies and their false deities.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Produce your cause" translates the Hebrew qerubhem riybkhem, meaning "bring near your dispute" or "present your legal case." It clearly depicts a judicial setting where God is the presiding judge, challenging His adversaries to present their evidence. The KJV's "strong reasons" for the Hebrew 'atsumoth (literally, "mighty things" or "powerful arguments") perfectly captures the essence of God's demand for compelling proof from the idols and their adherents.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 41:21 reinforces the foundational truth of God's absolute supremacy. It calls us to place our trust solely in Him, recognizing that He alone holds all power and knowledge. In a world filled with various "idols" – be they materialism, self-reliance, popular ideologies, or even human leaders – this verse reminds us that only the "King of Jacob" has the "strong reasons" to command our worship and allegiance. It encourages us to boldly proclaim His truth, knowing that no argument or power can stand against Him, as affirmed in Romans 8:31.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 23:3

    Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

  • Job 23:4

    I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

  • Micah 6:1

    ¶ Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.

  • Micah 6:2

    Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

  • Job 38:3

    Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

  • Job 31:37

    I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

  • Job 40:7

    Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back