Isaiah 43:13

KJV

Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he; and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, before the day {H3117} was I am he; and there is none that can deliver {H5337} out of my hand {H3027}: I will work {H6466}, and who shall let {H7725} it?

Complete Jewish Bible

Since days began, I have been he. No one can deliver from my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

Berean Standard Bible

Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

American Standard Version

Yea, since the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who can hinder it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 43:13 stands as a monumental declaration of God's eternal nature, absolute sovereignty, and unchallengeable will. It asserts that Yahweh existed before the dawn of time, possesses ultimate power from which no one can snatch away, and executes His divine purposes without any possibility of hindrance. This verse serves as a profound source of comfort and assurance for His people, reminding them that their Creator and Redeemer is utterly supreme and faithful to accomplish all He purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 43 is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section of Isaiah's prophecy primarily addressing the future restoration of Israel from Babylonian exile. The preceding verses ([Isaiah 43:1-12](/isaiah/43-1-12 "Isaiah 43:1-12 - God's Identity and Promises to Israel")) establish God's unique identity as the only Creator, Redeemer, and Holy One of Israel. He calls Israel His witnesses, reminding them of His past acts of deliverance (e.g., the Exodus) and promising future salvation and return from captivity. Verse 13 serves as a foundational theological statement that undergirds all these promises, emphasizing the absolute power and unchanging nature of the God who makes them. It reinforces that the God who promises is fully capable of fulfilling His word, despite Israel's current plight or the perceived power of their oppressors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical backdrop for Isaiah 43 is the impending or ongoing Babylonian Exile (586-539 BC). The people of Judah were in a state of despair, questioning God's presence, power, and faithfulness amidst their suffering and displacement. They were surrounded by powerful pagan empires and their gods, which often seemed more potent than Yahweh. In this context, Isaiah's message directly confronts the polytheism and idolatry of the ancient Near East. The declaration of God's unrivaled power and eternal existence in [Isaiah 43:13](/isaiah/43-13 "Isaiah 43:13 - God's Unchallengeable Power") would have been a radical counter-cultural assertion, challenging the notion that any other deity or human empire could stand against the will of Israel's God. It offered a profound theological anchor in a time of immense national and spiritual crisis.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and biblical theology. It underscores God's **Eternal Nature**, asserting His existence prior to all creation and His timeless being, which is crucial for understanding His immutability and reliability. It highlights His **Absolute Sovereignty** and **Omnipotence**, declaring that nothing can thwart His plans or snatch anything from His grasp, reinforcing the security of His covenant people. Furthermore, it speaks to God's **Unchallengeable Will** and **Efficacy**, emphasizing that when He purposes to act ("I will work"), no one can "let" (hinder) Him. This theme of God's irresistible will is echoed throughout Scripture, affirming that His counsel stands and He performs all His pleasure, as seen in [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "Psalm 33:11 - The Lord's Counsel Stands") and [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Dominion Over All").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** This word, H3117, refers to a period of time, whether literal (sunrise to sunset) or figurative (a defined space of time). In the phrase "before the day was," it transcends a mere temporal reference, signifying that God existed prior to the very concept or beginning of time itself, emphasizing His eternal and pre-existent nature. He is not bound by the created order of time, but is its originator.
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This verb, H5337, means "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to preserve," or "to rid." When God declares "none that can deliver out of my hand," it conveys His absolute and unassailable control. It means no power, human or spiritual, can forcibly remove what is in His possession or thwart His protective grip. His hold is ultimate and irreversible.
* **Let (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** The word H7725, primarily meaning "to turn back," "to return," or "to reverse," is translated as "let" in the KJV in the sense of "to hinder" or "to prevent." In the rhetorical question "who shall let it?", it profoundly asserts that no entity, no force, no opposition can cause God's work to turn back, be reversed, or be prevented from coming to fruition. His actions are final and irresistible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he":** This clause declares God's eternal pre-existence and self-sufficiency. He is not a created being, nor is He subject to the constraints of time. The phrase "I am he" is a profound echo of the divine name Yahweh, "I AM THAT I AM" ([Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Self-Revelation to Moses")), asserting His unique, unchanging, and exclusive deity. He is the one who simply *is*, eternally, the source and sustainer of all existence.
* **"and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand":** This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and unchallengeable power. His "hand" (H3027, _yâd'_) symbolizes His power, authority, and control. This declaration assures that whatever God holds, protects, or purposes, no one can forcibly remove, rescue from, or thwart. It speaks to both His protective care over His people and His irresistible might over His enemies, signifying an ultimate and irreversible grip.
* **"I will work, and who shall let it?":** This final clause underscores the efficacy and certainty of God's divine will and actions. When God determines to "work" (H6466, _pâʻal'_, to do or make systematically), His purpose will be accomplished without fail. The rhetorical question "who shall let it?" (H7725, _shûwb'_, to hinder or turn back) implies that no power in the universe can successfully impede, reverse, or prevent the unfolding of His divine plan. His actions are final, effective, and irresistible.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 43:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("who shall let it?"), which is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphasize the absolute impossibility of any power hindering God's work. This device underscores God's omnipotence and the futility of opposition. The verse also features **Divine Assertion** or **Monologue**, where God Himself speaks directly, lending immense authority and weight to the declaration. The phrase "before the day was I am he" uses **Hyperbole** to convey God's eternal nature, stretching beyond human comprehension of time. Furthermore, the concept of God's "hand" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (hand) stands for the whole (God's power, authority, and protective care).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 43:13 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the attributes of God. It unequivocally declares His eternality, omnipotence, and absolute sovereignty, asserting that His plans and purposes are immutable and irresistible. This truth provides immense comfort and security for believers, knowing that the God who has made promises is fully capable of bringing them to pass. His unchallengeable will means that His redemptive plan for humanity, His covenant faithfulness to His people, and His ultimate victory over evil are guaranteed. This verse grounds our faith in a God who is not limited by time, circumstances, or opposition, but who actively works out His perfect will in history.

* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "The Lord's Counsel Stands")
* [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "God's Plans Cannot Be Thwarted")
* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "God's Dominion and Unchallengeable Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by chaos, uncertainty, and feelings of powerlessness, Isaiah 43:13 offers a profound anchor for the soul. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the limitations of human strength or the daunting nature of our circumstances to the unlimited power and unhindered will of God. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His sovereignty, knowing that when He declares "I will work," His purposes will undoubtedly come to pass, regardless of any opposition. This truth should inspire not only comfort but also courage, empowering us to live fearlessly and faithfully, confident that our lives, our salvation, and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom are held securely in His unshakeable hand. It challenges us to surrender our own attempts to control or "let" (hinder) God's work in our lives and in the world, embracing His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's eternal nature ("before the day was I am he") impact my perspective on current challenges or future uncertainties?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to more fully trust that "none can deliver out of His hand," especially concerning worries about security or control?**
* **What "work" do I believe God is doing in my life or in the world right now, and how does the assurance that "who shall let it?" encourage my participation or surrender to His will?**

### FAQ
**What does "before the day was I am he" mean?**

Answer: This profound statement signifies God's eternal pre-existence and self-sufficiency. It means that God existed before the creation of time itself, before any "day" or temporal measurement came into being. The phrase "I am he" is a direct echo of God's self-revelation to Moses as "I AM THAT I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Self-Revelation"), asserting His unique, unchanging, and exclusive deity. He is the uncreated Creator, the timeless One who simply *is*.

**What does "who shall let it?" imply in this verse?**

Answer: The word "let" in the King James Version here means "to hinder," "to prevent," or "to impede." Therefore, "who shall let it?" is a rhetorical question. It implies that there is absolutely no one, no power, no force, human or spiritual, that can successfully stop, reverse, or thwart God's sovereign will or His divine work. It is a powerful declaration of God's absolute omnipotence and the certainty that His plans and purposes will always come to fruition without fail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 43:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment and most vivid expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The declaration "before the day was I am he" resonates deeply with Jesus' own claims of pre-existence and eternal deity, particularly His profound "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John, such as "Before Abraham was, [I am](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Jesus' Divine Claim of Pre-existence")" or "I am the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")". He is the eternal Word who was with God and was God from the beginning ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). The assurance that "none that can deliver out of my hand" is powerfully echoed in Jesus' promise of eternal security for His sheep: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" ([John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - Jesus' Assurance of Eternal Security")). Furthermore, the declaration "I will work, and who shall let it?" finds its supreme demonstration in Christ's redemptive work. God's ultimate "work" was the salvation of humanity through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. No power of sin, death, or the grave could "let" (hinder) this divine plan. Jesus' victory over death and His ascension to the right hand of God confirm that God's sovereign will, once set in motion, is utterly irresistible and eternally accomplished ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). In Christ, we see the eternal, omnipotent God perfectly executing His unchallengeable will for our salvation and His glory.

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 14:27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

Job 9:12

Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

John 8:58

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.