Isaiah 41:26

KJV

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, [He is] righteous? yea, [there is] none that sheweth, yea, [there is] none that declareth, yea, [there is] none that heareth your words.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who hath declared {H5046} from the beginning {H7218}, that we may know {H3045}? and beforetime {H6440}, that we may say {H559}, He is righteous {H6662}? yea, there is none that sheweth {H5046}, yea, there is none that declareth {H8085}, yea, there is none that heareth {H8085} your words {H561}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who said this at the start, so we could know, or foretold it, so we could say, "He's right"? In fact, no one said it; no one foretold it - the fact is, nobody hears what you say.

Berean Standard Bible

Who has declared this from the beginning, so that we may know, and from times past, so that we may say: ‘He was right’? No one announced it, no one foretold it, no one heard your words.

American Standard Version

Who hath declared it from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is right? yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that showeth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 41:26 serves as a pivotal declaration of God's unparalleled sovereignty and omniscient foreknowledge, presented as a direct challenge to the impotent claims of idols and the gods of the nations. Through a series of rhetorical questions and emphatic denials, the verse underscores that only the one true God possesses the unique ability to declare events "from the beginning" and accurately predict the future, thereby establishing His divine righteousness and affirming His exclusive control over history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 41 is an integral part of the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, offering profound promises of their imminent return and restoration. Within this broader context, chapter 41 specifically frames a dramatic divine lawsuit or courtroom dispute, where God summons the nations and their lifeless idols to present their case and prove their claims to divinity ([Isaiah 41:1-7](/isaiah/41-1-7 "Isaiah 41:1-7 - God's Challenge to the Nations")). The core challenge revolves around the ability to foretell future events, particularly the rise of Cyrus, whom God will raise up as His instrument to deliver Israel from Babylonian captivity ([Isaiah 41:2-4](/isaiah/41-2-4 "Isaiah 41:2-4 - The Rise of the Righteous One") and [Isaiah 41:25](/isaiah/41-25 "Isaiah 41:25 - God Raises Up a Deliverer")). Verse 26 functions as the climactic verdict in this divine trial, highlighting the utter failure of any other deity to meet God's standard of prophetic declaration. The preceding verses emphasize God's unique power in raising up leaders and His unwavering support for Israel ([Isaiah 41:8-20](/isaiah/41-8-20 "Isaiah 41:8-20 - God's Assurance to Israel")), meticulously setting the stage for this definitive proof of His singular deity. The subsequent verses ([Isaiah 41:27-29](/isaiah/41-27-29 "Isaiah 41:27-29 - The Silence of the Idols")) confirm that only God has declared these things, and all other gods are revealed as nothingness and emptiness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 41:26 is the profound crisis of the Babylonian exile of Judah. During this period, the Israelites were immersed in the polytheistic culture of Babylon, where numerous gods and their accompanying oracles were consulted for guidance and predictions. This environment created immense pressure for the exiles to either assimilate into pagan practices or to question Yahweh's power and faithfulness. In the ancient Near East, the ability to accurately predict future events was considered a primary, non-negotiable criterion for validating a deity's power, authority, and even existence. While prophets and diviners were common, their predictions were often ambiguous, conditional, or demonstrably failed. Against this backdrop, Isaiah's prophecy presents Yahweh as the only God who can declare the future with absolute certainty—not merely general pronouncements, but specific historical outcomes. This served as a crucial theological anchor, designed to bolster the faith of the exiles, assuring them that their God was truly sovereign over all nations and their false gods, and that His promised deliverance was guaranteed despite their dire circumstances.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Foremost is **God's Exclusive Foreknowledge and Sovereignty**, emphasizing His unique ability to declare the end from the beginning, a profound truth reiterated in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). This divine attribute distinguishes Him absolutely from all human powers and created deities, asserting His unparalleled control over history. Closely related is the **Impotence and Falsity of Idols**. The repeated rhetorical questions and emphatic denials ("none that sheweth... none that declareth... none that heareth") powerfully expose the lifelessness, silence, and utter inability of pagan gods to act, speak, or even perceive. This theme is a cornerstone of Isaiah's extensive polemic against idolatry, vividly illustrated in passages such as [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44 "Isaiah 44 - The Folly of Idolatry"). Finally, the verse highlights **Divine Righteousness Proven by Prophecy**. God's capacity to accurately foretell and then execute His plans is presented as irrefutable proof of His just and faithful character. His word is reliable, and His purposes will stand, validating His integrity and ensuring the certain fulfillment of His promises, a concept foundational to the covenant relationship with Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **declared (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root (H5046) properly means "to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite." By implication, it means "to manifest," and figuratively, "to announce" (always by word of mouth to one present). More specifically, it can mean "to expose, predict, explain, praise." In Isaiah 41:26, "declared" refers to the authoritative act of making known or announcing future events, particularly those that are distant or hidden. The emphasis is on a clear, public, and undeniable declaration, starkly contrasting with the silence and secrecy often associated with pagan oracles.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** A primitive root (H3045) meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing)." It is used in a great variety of senses, including figuratively, literally, euphemistically, and inferentially (encompassing observation, care, recognition, instruction, and designation). Here, "know" signifies a deep, experiential knowledge and understanding of God's declared purposes. The rhetorical question "that we may know?" implies that God's declarations are not obscure but are intended to be clearly understood and recognized as His sovereign work, providing assurance and irrefutable proof of His deity.
* **righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be just," this word (H6662) describes God as "just, lawful, righteous." In this context, God's righteousness is profoundly demonstrated through His perfect foreknowledge and His faithful, unwavering execution of His declared will. His unique ability to predict and then bring to pass future events proves His integrity, consistency, and adherence to His own divine standards. He is not only powerful and all-knowing but also perfectly just in His dealings with humanity and the unfolding of history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know?"**: This is a potent rhetorical question, serving as a direct challenge to any entity—human or divine—to step forward and claim the ability to declare events from the earliest point in time, before they even begin to unfold. The phrase "from the beginning" (Hebrew: *merosh*) implies a comprehensive, foundational knowledge of all time. The purpose "that we may know" indicates that such a declaration must be clear, understandable, and verifiable, leading to a true recognition of the speaker's deity.
* **"and beforetime, that we may say, [He is] righteous?"**: This clause continues and intensifies the rhetorical challenge, adding the dimension of "beforetime" (Hebrew: *pânîym*), emphasizing the predictive nature of the declaration. The ultimate purpose of this foretelling is "that we may say, [He is] righteous." This links prophetic fulfillment directly to the speaker's moral and ethical character. The ability to perfectly predict and then orchestrate history with such precision is presented as the ultimate, irrefutable proof of a deity's just, faithful, and trustworthy character, implying that only a truly righteous being could govern creation in such a manner.
* **"yea, [there is] none that sheweth, yea, [there is] none that declareth, yea, [there is] none that heareth your words."**: This tripartite declaration serves as the emphatic, resounding answer to the preceding questions. It is a powerful and absolute denial of any other entity's ability to meet God's challenge. The deliberate repetition of "none that sheweth," "none that declareth," and "none that heareth" underscores the utter silence, powerlessness, and non-existence of the idols and their supposed oracles. They cannot reveal the future, they cannot announce it, and crucially, they cannot even hear the pleas or words directed to them by their worshippers, proving their absolute inertness and inability to act in the world.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 41:26 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine supremacy and idol impotence. The primary device is **Rhetorical Question**, used at the outset ("Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know?"). This question is not posed to elicit an answer but rather to imply that no one can possibly meet the challenge, thereby powerfully highlighting God's unique and exclusive attribute of foreknowledge. Following this, **Repetition** is powerfully utilized through the anaphora of "yea, [there is] none that..." and the repeated verbs "sheweth," "declareth," and "heareth." This emphatic repetition serves to underscore the absolute and undeniable impotence of the idols, creating a rhythmic and forceful dismissal of their claims. There is also a strong **Contrast** established throughout the verse between the active, foreknowing, speaking, and hearing God, and the silent, ignorant, and deaf idols, which are utterly incapable of any divine action or even perception. Finally, a subtle form of **Personification** is present in the phrase "heareth your words," attributing a human faculty (hearing) to the idols only to deny its existence, further emphasizing their lifelessness and the futility of worshipping them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 41:26 profoundly asserts the singular nature of the God of Israel, distinguishing Him absolutely from all other claimants to divinity. His exclusive foreknowledge is not merely an impressive feat but the very cornerstone of His identity as the sovereign Lord of history and the righteous judge. This divine attribute ensures that His promises are reliable, His covenant unbreakable, and His ultimate purposes for creation and redemption will inevitably come to pass. The verse thus serves as a powerful anchor for faith, reminding believers that their hope rests not on chance or human endeavor, but on the unshakeable word of an all-knowing God who has declared the end from the beginning, orchestrating all things according to His perfect will.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "Psalm 33:11 - The Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever")
* [Isaiah 44:7](/isaiah/44-7 "Isaiah 44:7 - God's Challenge to Idols Regarding Foreknowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world increasingly characterized by uncertainty, competing narratives, and a proliferation of voices claiming ultimate authority, Isaiah 41:26 offers profound solace and a clear call to discerning trust. This verse reminds us that only the God of the Bible possesses true, comprehensive foreknowledge, having declared the course of history "from the beginning." This truth should cultivate deep peace within us, knowing that our lives, our future, and the destiny of the world are not subject to random chance or the whims of human power, but are held firmly within the sovereign, meticulously planned purpose of an all-knowing and righteous God. It challenges us to ground our hope, not in fleeting ideologies, the latest trends, or the unreliable predictions of humanity, but in the unchanging, all-wise God who has proven His faithfulness through millennia of fulfilled prophecy. Our appropriate response should be one of humble submission and confident faith, allowing the certainty of His word to quiet our anxieties, direct our steps, and inspire unwavering worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unique ability to declare "from the beginning" impact your trust in His promises for your personal future and the future of the world?**
* **In what ways do you see "idols" (anything that competes for ultimate allegiance or offers false security) in today's world attempting to declare or control the future, and how does this verse speak to their impotence?**
* **How does the concept of God's "righteousness" being proven by His perfect foreknowledge encourage you in times of doubt, confusion, or perceived injustice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consistently place your faith in God's declared word and sovereign plan rather than in human predictions, anxieties, or self-reliance?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary challenge God issues in this chapter, and how does Isaiah 41:26 contribute to it?**

Answer: The primary challenge God issues in Isaiah 41 is a divine lawsuit or courtroom debate against the nations and their idols. He challenges them to prove their divinity by accurately predicting and declaring future events, particularly the rise of Cyrus, the Persian king, who would be His instrument for Israel's deliverance. Isaiah 41:26 serves as the definitive verdict in this challenge, emphatically stating that "none" of the idols or their proponents have met this test. It highlights God's exclusive ability to declare events "from the beginning" and "beforetime," thereby proving His unique righteousness and power, while exposing the utter silence and impotence of all false gods.

**How does this verse prove God's uniqueness among all other gods or spiritual claims?**

Answer: This verse proves God's uniqueness by setting an impossible standard for any other entity to meet: the ability to declare events from the very beginning of time and to do so with such precision that the outcome proves the speaker's righteousness. The repeated denials ("none that sheweth, yea, none that declareth, yea, none that heareth your words") underscore that no other god, human prognosticator, or spiritual claim possesses this attribute. Unlike the silent, deaf, and impotent idols, the God of Israel actively declares, orchestrates, and fulfills history according to His sovereign plan, demonstrating that He alone is the living, all-knowing, and righteous God who controls time and destiny. This is a hallmark of His incomparable nature, as further elaborated in passages like [Isaiah 45:5-7](/isaiah/45-5 "Isaiah 45:5-7 - God is Unique, There is No Other").

**What does "from the beginning" signify in this context?**

Answer: "From the beginning" (Hebrew: *merosh*) signifies not just a general foretelling, but a comprehensive, foundational declaration of future events from their earliest inception or even before they begin to unfold. It implies that God's plan is not reactive or improvisational, but eternally conceived and meticulously laid out. This phrase points to God's complete grasp of all time—past, present, and future—and His sovereign control over every detail of history. It means that the unfolding of events, including the rise of nations and the deliverance of His people, is part of a divine blueprint established long ago, known and declared by God alone. This concept is foundational to understanding God's ultimate control over all things, as seen in [Ephesians 1:4-11](/ephesians/1 "Ephesians 1 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 41:26, with its profound declaration of God's unique foreknowledge and righteousness, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "beginning" from which God declared His purposes ultimately points to the eternal counsel of God, where the plan of salvation through Christ was established before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World")). Jesus is the very embodiment of God's declared word, the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The prophets of old, including Isaiah, declared the coming of a Messiah, and Jesus perfectly fulfilled these ancient prophecies, demonstrating that He was indeed the one "declared from the beginning" by God ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of Prophecy")). His life, death, and resurrection were not random events but the precise execution of God's eternal purpose, proving God's righteousness and faithfulness to His promises ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed Through Christ")). Through Christ, we "know" God's righteous plan of redemption, a plan that no idol or false god could ever conceive or declare. Thus, the silence and impotence of the idols contrasted in Isaiah 41:26 are utterly overcome by the living, speaking, and saving power of Jesus, who is the "Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Christ, the Faithful Witness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 41:22

Let them bring [them] forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they [be], that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

Isaiah 44:7

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.

Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

Habakkuk 2:20

But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Isaiah 43:9

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.