Isaiah 41:28

KJV

For I beheld, and [there was] no man; even among them, and [there was] no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I beheld {H7200}, and there was no man {H376}; even among them, and there was no counsellor {H3289}, that, when I asked {H7592} of them, could answer {H7725} a word {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when I look around, there is no one - not a single one can give counsel, who, when I ask, can give an answer.

Berean Standard Bible

When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.

American Standard Version

And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 41:28 stands as a pivotal declaration within God's divine challenge to the false gods and their adherents, serving as the conclusive verdict of their utter impotence. Following a direct invitation for these purported deities to demonstrate their power by predicting future events or offering genuine insight, this verse reveals the profound silence and emptiness of all contenders. It unequivocally underscores the unparalleled sovereignty, omniscience, and unique power of the Lord, who alone possesses the foresight to declare and orchestrate history, in stark contrast to the voicelessness and complete ineffectualness of human-made idols and those who serve them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 41:28 is strategically placed within a significant section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48), often referred to as "The Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah," where the prophet addresses the exilic community, offering hope and reaffirming God's covenant faithfulness. This particular chapter initiates a series of "disputation speeches" where Yahweh challenges the nations and their idols to a legal contest. The preceding verses, specifically [Isaiah 41:21-27](/isaiah/41-21 "Isaiah 41:21-27 - God's Challenge to Idols"), lay out God's challenge for the idols to declare future events or even past ones, to prove their divinity. Verse 28 is the resounding verdict: a complete and utter failure on the part of the idols and their human advocates to produce any word or counsel, thereby confirming God's unique status as the only true God who declares the end from the beginning, as seen in [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound crisis and theological questioning for Israel. Surrounded by powerful pagan empires and their elaborate pantheons, the Israelites faced immense pressure to assimilate and doubt the power of their seemingly vanquished God. The worship of idols was pervasive, deeply intertwined with the political and social fabric of the ancient Near East, where deities were believed to grant prosperity, victory in war, and knowledge of the future. Prophets like Isaiah directly confronted this syncretism and polytheism, asserting Yahweh's exclusive claim to divinity. The "counsellor" in this context refers to those who would interpret omens, divine the future, or offer strategic advice based on the supposed will of their gods. Isaiah's challenge exposes the futility of such practices when the gods themselves are silent and powerless.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. It emphatically highlights **The Impotence of Idols**, portraying them not merely as false but as utterly non-existent in terms of power or knowledge, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "The Folly of Idolatry"). Conversely, it magnifies **God's Unique Knowledge and Power**, demonstrating His unrivaled ability to declare future events and orchestrate history, a characteristic repeatedly emphasized throughout the book (e.g., [Isaiah 48:3-5](/isaiah/48-3 "God Declares New Things")). The verse also underscores the **Lack of True Counsel Apart from God**, asserting that all human and spiritual sources outside of Yahweh are incapable of providing genuine insight or authoritative answers. This reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, where God's absolute control over all creation and history is affirmed, establishing Him as the ultimate source of wisdom and truth, as He alone can bring His purposes to pass (e.g., [Isaiah 14:24](/isaiah/14-24 "The Lord of Hosts Has Sworn")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beheld (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** From H7200, meaning "to see, literally or figuratively," and encompassing concepts like discerning, observing, or perceiving. In this context, it signifies God's comprehensive and scrutinizing observation of the nations' idols and their human proponents. It implies a thorough, divine examination, not a casual glance, leading to the definitive conclusion that follows.
* **Counsellor (Hebrew, _yâʻats'_):** From H3289, meaning "to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve." This word refers to one who gives counsel, advice, or guidance, often in a strategic or authoritative capacity. In the context of ancient Near Eastern religions, this would include priests, diviners, or wise men who claimed to interpret the will of the gods and offer direction. The absence of such a figure capable of responding to God's challenge highlights the emptiness of their supposed divine sources.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, a multifaceted term meaning "a word," but also "a matter," "a thing," "an affair," or "a decree." Here, it signifies not just a spoken utterance, but a meaningful, authoritative, and substantive response. The idols and their human representatives could not "answer a word" – they could not provide any coherent, predictive, or divinely inspired statement that would validate their claims or challenge God's supremacy. Their silence underscores their utter lack of substance and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I beheld":** This opening clause emphasizes God's direct, personal, and comprehensive observation. It's not a secondary report but a divine eyewitness account of the preceding challenge and its outcome. The "beholding" implies a thorough assessment, leading to the subsequent pronouncement of emptiness.
* **"and [there was] no man; even among them":** This phrase directly addresses the human agents associated with the idols. Despite their claims of divine connection or prophetic insight, no human individual among the idol worshippers or their priests could step forward with a valid response to God's challenge. This highlights the futility of human wisdom and religious practices when disconnected from the true God.
* **"and [there was] no counsellor":** This further specifies the type of individual sought: one who could offer authoritative advice, interpret divine will, or predict the future. This refers to the diviners, soothsayers, and religious leaders who served the false gods. Their absence or inability to respond underscores the impotence of the deities they served and the emptiness of their counsel.
* **"that, when I asked of them, could answer a word":** This final clause brings the divine challenge to its conclusion. God had "asked of them" – a direct inquiry or demand for proof of their power and knowledge, specifically regarding future events. The result was a complete failure: not a single "word," no meaningful response, no prophecy, no insight. This silence is the ultimate proof of the idols' non-existence and the true God's unique sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 41:28 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Antithesis** is central, sharply contrasting God's active "beholding" and "asking" with the utter absence of "man" or "counsellor" who could "answer a word" from the idolaters. This stark opposition highlights the chasm between divine omnipotence and human/idolatrous impotence. The phrase "no man; even among them, and no counsellor" uses **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore the complete lack of any credible response, reinforcing the idea of total emptiness. The entire passage functions as a **Divine Courtroom Scene**, where God acts as both the prosecutor and the judge, issuing a challenge and then delivering a verdict based on the evidence (or lack thereof). The **Rhetorical Question** implied by God's "asking" (though not explicitly phrased as a question in this verse, it refers back to the challenge in preceding verses) is met with **Silence**, which serves as the most damning answer, powerfully demonstrating the idols' non-existence and the futility of their worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 41:28 profoundly underscores the exclusive nature of God's omniscience and omnipotence. It asserts that true knowledge of the future, genuine counsel, and authoritative word originate solely from Yahweh, the God of Israel. This truth stands in stark contrast to the emptiness of all human-made deities and the futility of seeking guidance from sources devoid of divine power or insight. The verse serves as a foundational declaration of monotheism, dismantling any notion of competing divine powers and establishing God's unique claim as the only one who can declare the end from the beginning, thereby proving His sovereignty over all history and creation. This theological truth calls believers to exclusive trust and reliance upon God for all wisdom and direction.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Jeremiah 10:1-16](/jeremiah/10-1 "Jeremiah 10:1-16 - The Folly of Idols Compared to God")
* [Daniel 2:20-22](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-22 - God Reveals Mysteries")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with information, competing ideologies, and countless voices claiming to offer guidance and truth, Isaiah 41:28 remains profoundly relevant. It challenges us to critically evaluate the sources of our counsel, reminding us that only God possesses true foresight and the power to bring His declarations to pass. Just as the ancient idols were silent and impotent when confronted by the living God, so too are many modern "counselors"—whether they be popular philosophies, self-help gurus, political ideologies, or even superficial spiritualities—ultimately devoid of the genuine wisdom and enduring truth required for life's deepest questions. This verse invites us to turn away from the empty promises of human constructs and instead anchor our hope and seek our direction from the One who truly knows the end from the beginning. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that only in God's Word and through His Spirit can we find the reliable counsel that leads to life, purpose, and peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "counselors" or sources of wisdom do I primarily rely on in my life, and how do they measure up against the standard of God's infallible Word?**
* **How does the impotence of idols in Isaiah 41:28 challenge my own tendencies to trust in anything other than God for security, guidance, or control over the future?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to more intentionally seek God's counsel, trusting His omniscience over my limited understanding or the advice of the world?**

### FAQ

**Why does God challenge the idols in this manner?**

Answer: God challenges the idols and their human proponents in [Isaiah 41:21-27](/isaiah/41-21 "Isaiah 41:21-27 - God's Challenge to Idols") to demonstrate their divinity by predicting future events or explaining past ones, a characteristic exclusive to the true God. This challenge is a theological courtroom drama designed to expose the utter emptiness and non-existence of idols, proving that they are mere human creations with no power, knowledge, or voice. The silence and inability of the idols and their "counselors" to "answer a word" (as stated in [Isaiah 41:28](/isaiah/41-28 "Isaiah 41:28 - The Silence of Idols")) serve as irrefutable evidence of God's unique sovereignty and omniscience. It's a polemic against idolatry, intended to strengthen the faith of the exiled Israelites and affirm Yahweh's unparalleled status as the only living God.

**What is the significance of "no man" and "no counsellor" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrases "no man" and "no counsellor" emphasize the complete and universal failure of all human and spiritual entities associated with idol worship. "No man" (Hebrew: *ʼîysh*) signifies that no individual, regardless of their status or supposed wisdom, could speak on behalf of the idols or provide a divine answer. "No counsellor" (Hebrew: *yâʻats*) specifically refers to those who claimed to offer guidance, insight, or prophetic declarations based on their pagan deities. Their inability to "answer a word" (Hebrew: *dâbâr*) underscores that the idols themselves are silent, impotent, and ultimately non-existent, and thus cannot empower their human representatives with any genuine knowledge or authority. This highlights God's unique position as the sole source of true wisdom and revelation, as seen in [Isaiah 40:13-14](/isaiah/40-13 "Isaiah 40:13-14 - Who Has Directed the Spirit of the Lord?").

**How does this verse relate to God's character?**

Answer: Isaiah 41:28 powerfully reveals several aspects of God's character. It highlights His **omniscience**, demonstrating that He alone knows the future and can declare it with certainty, unlike the silent idols. It showcases His **sovereignty**, as He is the one who orchestrates history and brings His purposes to pass, while all other powers are impotent. It also underscores His **exclusivity** as the only true God, challenging and exposing the falsehood of all rival deities. Furthermore, it reveals His **righteousness** in judging false worship and His **faithfulness** in revealing Himself as the reliable source of truth and counsel for His people, as promised in [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - The Lord, the First and the Last").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 41:28 directly addresses the impotence of idols in contrast to Yahweh's supremacy, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "no man" and "no counsellor" who could "answer a word" foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's wisdom and counsel in Christ. The world, with all its philosophies and human wisdom, proved incapable of providing salvation or true understanding of God, much like the silent idols of Isaiah's day. However, Jesus Christ is revealed as the very **Wisdom of God** (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) and the **Counselor** par excellence, not merely advising but embodying divine truth. He is the **Word made flesh** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who not only answers God's questions but perfectly reveals God's character and plan. In Him, all the prophecies and promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Unlike the silent idols, Christ speaks with unparalleled authority, declares the future (e.g., His second coming in [Matthew 24:30-31](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30-31 - The Coming of the Son of Man")), and offers the only true counsel for humanity's deepest needs, leading to eternal life ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Peter's Confession of Christ")). Thus, the void identified in Isaiah 41:28 is perfectly filled by the unique person of Jesus, who is God's ultimate answer to a world seeking counsel and truth.

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 63:5

And I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

Daniel 4:7

Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

Daniel 4:8

But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, [saying],

Daniel 2:10

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

Daniel 2:11

And [it is] a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Isaiah 40:13

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counsellor hath taught him?

Isaiah 40:14

With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?