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.

Let all the nations {H1471} be gathered {H6908} together {H3162}, and let the people {H3816} be assembled {H622}: who among them can declare {H5046} this, and shew {H8085} us former things {H7223}? let them bring forth {H5414} their witnesses {H5707}, that they may be justified {H6663}: or let them hear {H8085}, and say {H559}, It is truth {H571}.

All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them can proclaim this and reveal what happened in the past? Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves, so that others, on hearing, can say, "That's true."

All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

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

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 43:9 (KJV)

Isaiah 43:9 is a powerful declaration from God, challenging the false deities and nations of the world to demonstrate their power and knowledge in comparison to His own. This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 40-48) where the prophet emphasizes God's incomparable nature, particularly His unique ability to foretell the future and demonstrate His sovereign control over history.

Context

The book of Isaiah was written during a tumultuous period in Israelite history, spanning the reigns of several kings. Chapters 40-55, often referred to as "Second Isaiah," primarily address the Jewish exiles in Babylon. God is speaking words of comfort, reassurance, and hope, reminding His people of His omnipotence and faithfulness, even in their desperate situation. He contrasts His power and truth with the impotence of pagan gods and the futility of human wisdom. This verse sets the stage for God to present His case, inviting all nations to witness His unparalleled prophetic ability and the fulfillment of His word, thereby proving His identity as the one true God.

Key Themes

  • God's Uniqueness and Sovereignty: The verse highlights the Lord's exclusive claim to being the only God who can declare future events and bring them to pass. No other deity or human power can match this divine attribute. This theme is central to understanding God's control over all of creation and history, as seen in Daniel 4:35.
  • Challenge to False Gods and Nations: God issues a direct challenge, a kind of divine courtroom drama, to the nations and their idols. He demands that they demonstrate their ability to predict or explain "former things" (past events) or "declare this" (future events). This challenge underscores the emptiness of idolatry and the futility of trusting in anything other than the true God.
  • Divine Witness and Truth: The verse calls for "witnesses" to be brought forth. If the nations and their gods cannot prophesy or explain history, then they must acknowledge God's truth. Conversely, God's people, Israel, are called to be His witnesses in Isaiah 43:10, testifying to His power and fulfilled prophecies.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Declare this": The Hebrew word for "declare" (nagad) implies making known, announcing, or telling. Here, it specifically refers to foretelling the future, a power God alone possesses.
  • "Shew us former things": This phrase (yagged lanu rishonot) refers to the ability to explain or reveal past events, especially those that were divinely foretold or orchestrated. It emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge of history, past and future.
  • "Witnesses": The Hebrew term (‘edim) refers to those who give testimony, confirming the truth of a statement or event. God challenges the nations to present their proof, and when they cannot, He implicitly expects them to confess His truth.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 43:9 offers profound comfort and a call to confidence in God:

  1. Trust in God's Word: This verse reinforces the reliability of God's prophecies and promises. Just as He declared "former things" and brought them to pass, so too will His future promises, including those regarding the new heaven and new earth or the return of Christ, surely be fulfilled. We can place our full trust in His unwavering truth.
  2. Witness to God's Truth: As God's people, we are called to be His witnesses in the world, testifying to His power, faithfulness, and the truth of His Word. Our lives and words should reflect the reality of a God who declares the end from the beginning and orchestrates history according to His perfect plan.
  3. Idolatry in Modern Forms: While we may not bow to physical idols, we can still fall prey to modern forms of idolatry – placing ultimate trust in human wisdom, scientific advancements, political systems, or material wealth. This verse reminds us that true security and knowledge come only from the Lord.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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:

  • Isaiah 41:21

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

  • Isaiah 41:26

    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.

  • 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 44:9

    ¶ They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

  • Psalms 50:1

    ¶ A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, [even] the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

  • Joel 3:11

    Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
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