Isaiah 44:8

KJV

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

KJV (with Strong's)

Fear {H6342} ye not, neither be afraid {H7297}{H7297}: have not I told {H8085} thee from that time {H227}, and have declared {H5046} it? ye are even my witnesses {H5707}. Is there {H3426} a God {H433} beside {H1107} me? yea, there is no God {H6697}; I know {H3045} not any.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't be frightened, don't be afraid - Didn't I tell you this long ago? I foretold it, and you are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock - I know of none."

Berean Standard Bible

Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.”

American Standard Version

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and showed it? and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 44:8 is a profound divine declaration that simultaneously reassures God's people of His singular sovereignty and unparalleled foreknowledge, while also commissioning them as His exclusive witnesses. It serves as an irrefutable challenge to all forms of idolatry, emphasizing Yahweh's unique ability to declare future events and His absolute existence as the only true God, thereby providing deep comfort and a steadfast foundation for unwavering trust in His omnipotence and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Babylonian exiles. This major division of Isaiah offers messages of hope, restoration, and a profound theological argument for God's incomparable power and unique identity. Chapters 40-48 specifically develop the theme of Yahweh's absolute uniqueness, contrasting His divine power, creative authority, and exhaustive foreknowledge with the impotence, silence, and utter foolishness of idols. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - God's Uniqueness and Israel's Witness"), God asserts His eternal nature as the "first and the last" and issues a direct challenge to any supposed deity to declare future events as He does, highlighting His unparalleled ability to reveal and control the course of history (cf. [Isaiah 44:6-7](/isaiah/44-6-7 "Isaiah 44:6-7 - God as the First and the Last")). Thus, [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - God's Sole Deity and Israel's Witness") functions as a triumphant summation of this theological argument, solidifying His claim to sole divinity and providing a firm, unshakeable foundation for the subsequent prophetic declarations of deliverance and restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this prophecy is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma, spiritual disorientation, and existential crisis for the people of Israel. Displaced from their land, their temple, and their traditional way of life, they found themselves immersed in the polytheistic culture of Babylon, with its myriad gods, elaborate cultic practices, and impressive idolatrous structures. In this vulnerable state, the Israelites were susceptible to despair, doubt regarding Yahweh's power, and the temptation to assimilate or question His sovereignty in the face of their conquerors' seemingly victorious deities. Isaiah's prophetic message, delivered through the prophet, directly confronts this profound existential and theological threat. It powerfully reasserts Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all other gods, demonstrating His complete control over historical events, including the rise and fall of empires, and His unique ability to predict and bring about the future. This specific context makes the declaration of monotheism and the call to witness particularly potent, providing both profound comfort and a renewed sense of purpose to a dispirited and displaced people.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - God's Sovereignty and Israel's Role") encapsulates several pivotal themes central to Isaiah's overarching message of comfort and restoration. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, emphasizing God's unique capacity to declare events "from that time" and bring them to pass, a clear and decisive distinction from human limitations or the utter silence of false gods (compare [Isaiah 41:21-24](/isaiah/41-21-24 "Isaiah 41:21-24 - Idols Challenged to Predict")). Secondly, it asserts **God's Absolute Uniqueness and Monotheism** with an emphatic rhetorical question, "Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." This declaration unequivocally refutes polytheism and establishes Yahweh as the sole, incomparable deity, the only true source of power and truth. Thirdly, it highlights **Israel's Witness Role**, commissioning them as "my witnesses" to testify to God's unparalleled power, faithfulness, and singular existence before the nations, a role rooted in their historical experience of His redemptive acts (see also [Isaiah 43:10-12](/isaiah/43-10-12 "Isaiah 43:10-12 - Israel as God's Chosen Witnesses")). Finally, the opening command, "Fear ye not, neither be afraid," conveys a profound message of **Assurance and Freedom from Fear**, rooted in the unshakeable reality of God's omnipotence and singular existence, a recurring theme of comfort and encouragement throughout the entire book of [Isaiah](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Book of Comfort Begins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _pâchad'_):** This word (H6342) signifies being startled by a sudden alarm, leading to a general sense of fear, dread, or awe. In this context, the imperative "Fear ye not" is a divine command for Israel to not be terrified or dismayed by their circumstances, the threats of human empires, or the perceived power of false gods. It speaks to a deep, unsettling dread that God's sovereign presence and declared power should utterly dispel.
* **Witnesses (Hebrew, _ʻêd'_):** This term (H5707) concretely refers to one who testifies to a fact or event, and abstractly to testimony itself. Here, it designates Israel as those who, by virtue of their historical experience with God's fulfilled prophecies, mighty acts of deliverance, and consistent faithfulness, are uniquely positioned to bear testimony to His singular existence, incomparable power, and exclusive Godhead before the surrounding nations.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3045) encompasses a wide semantic range, from simple acquaintance to deep, intimate knowledge, including understanding, discerning, acknowledging, and even experiencing. When God declares, "I know not any," it is a profound anthropomorphism emphasizing His absolute, comprehensive, and exhaustive knowledge of all existence. By extension, this statement asserts the non-existence of any other god, because if another deity existed, His perfect knowledge would certainly encompass it. Since He declares He knows none, it definitively means there are none.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fear ye not, neither be afraid:"** This opening imperative serves as a direct divine command for Israel to release all terror, anxiety, and dismay. It directly addresses the natural human tendency to fear in the face of overwhelming circumstances, the power of oppressive nations, or the allure of foreign deities. God's subsequent declaration of His unique identity and unparalleled power is presented as the ultimate, comprehensive antidote to such fear.
* **"have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]?"** This rhetorical question points to God's consistent, long-standing, and historical revelation of His plans, purposes, and future events to Israel. "From that time" refers to a continuous history of prophetic declarations and faithfully fulfilled promises, demonstrably proving His foreknowledge and sovereign control over the entire sweep of history. This serves as irrefutable evidence of His unique divine nature, starkly distinguishing Him from the silent, impotent idols of the nations.
* **"ye [are] even my witnesses."** This clause assigns a crucial, active role to Israel. Having personally experienced God's faithfulness, His mighty acts of deliverance from bondage, and the precise fulfillment of His prophecies throughout their history, they are uniquely qualified and divinely commissioned to testify to His singular power, exclusive existence, and covenantal reliability before the world. Their lived history is their compelling testimony.
* **"Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any]."** This is a powerful, climactic rhetorical question that demands an emphatic negative answer, leaving no room for doubt. It profoundly challenges the very notion of polytheism and the existence of any other deity alongside Yahweh, asserting His absolute uniqueness and supreme sovereignty. The subsequent emphatic declaration, "yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any]," provides the definitive, unequivocal answer. The Hebrew word for "God" here (H6697, _tsûwr_, meaning "rock" or "refuge") metaphorically reinforces God's unshakeable solidity, enduring strength, and unwavering reliability, standing in sharp contrast to the instability, fragility, and powerlessness of idols. God's final statement, "I know not any," is a profound anthropomorphism, asserting that His comprehensive, omniscient knowledge confirms the absolute non-existence of any other god.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 44:8 masterfully employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological message with compelling force. The opening phrase, "**Fear ye not, neither be afraid**," is a clear example of **Synonymous Parallelism**, where two closely related phrases express a similar idea using different but reinforcing words, thereby intensifying the divine command for complete freedom from terror and anxiety. The entire verse is structured around a series of powerful **Rhetorical Questions** ("have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]?", "Is there a God beside me?"), which are used not to seek information but to provoke deep thought, challenge false assumptions, and elicit an obvious, undeniable answer, thereby strengthening God's irrefutable argument for His sole divinity and unparalleled foreknowledge. The declaration "yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any]" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (knowing/not knowing) to God to emphasize His absolute and exhaustive knowledge, which, by its very nature, confirms the non-existence of any rival deity. Furthermore, the repeated emphasis on God's unique foreknowledge and singular existence creates a powerful **Argument from Design and History**, where God's consistent revelation, precise fulfillment of prophecy, and sovereign control over historical events serve as irrefutable proof of His exclusive Godhead. The implicit use of "Rock" (derived from the Hebrew word for "God" in the latter part of the verse, H6697) as a **Metaphor** for God's steadfastness, refuge, and unyielding strength provides a stark contrast to the instability, fragility, and inherent powerlessness of idols.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 44:8 stands as a foundational text for biblical monotheism, declaring God's absolute singularity and His unique claim as the only true deity in existence. This truth is not merely an abstract theological concept but the very bedrock for Israel's identity, their covenantal relationship with Yahweh, and their sacred call to witness. God's unparalleled foreknowledge, powerfully demonstrated by His ability to declare events "from that time" and bring them to pass, establishes His complete sovereignty over all history and provides the ultimate grounds for His people's unwavering trust and freedom from fear. This divine self-revelation serves as a stark and uncompromising contrast to the impotence, silence, and inherent falsehood of idols and the false gods of the nations, profoundly reinforcing the first commandment's prohibition against having any other gods. The verse also underscores the dynamic covenantal relationship, where God's people are not just passive recipients of His truth but active participants, divinely commissioned to bear witness to His incomparable nature and exclusive Lordship before a world prone to idolatry.

* [Deuteronomy 4:35](/deuteronomy/4-35 "Deuteronomy 4:35 - The Lord is God; there is none else")
* [Isaiah 43:10](/isaiah/43-10 "Isaiah 43:10 - You are my witnesses, says the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 8:4-6](/1_corinthians/8-4-6 "1 Corinthians 8:4-6 - There is no God but one")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 44:8 offers profound comfort and a clear, compelling call to action for believers today. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, diverse spiritualities, and pervasive anxieties, this verse anchors us firmly in the unchanging truth of God's singular sovereignty. It powerfully reminds us that our fears and anxieties are often rooted in a diminished view of God's omnipotence or an inflated view of our circumstances and challenges. When we truly grasp the magnificent truth that there is no God beside Him, and that He knows all things from the beginning to the end, our anxieties can dissipate, replaced by a deep, abiding peace and unshakeable confidence. This profound truth compels us to humbly examine our own lives: are there "gods" we unknowingly serve – perhaps success, financial security, personal comfort, the approval of others, or even our own opinions and desires – that compete for the ultimate allegiance and worship due only to the One True God? Furthermore, like ancient Israel, we are commissioned as God's witnesses. Our lives, our words, and our actions are meant to authentically testify to the unique power, unwavering faithfulness, and absolute truth of the God who declares the end from the beginning. This witnessing is not merely an evangelistic task, but a holistic lifestyle of living out the reality of His exclusive Lordship in every sphere of our existence, demonstrating His incomparable nature to a world in need of His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific fears or anxieties in your life might stem from forgetting God's absolute sovereignty and exhaustive foreknowledge as declared in this verse?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways do modern "idols" (e.g., materialism, social media validation, self-reliance, political ideologies) compete for the ultimate allegiance that belongs only to the one true God?**
* **How can your daily life, your conversations, and your actions more effectively serve as a compelling witness to the unique truth and incomparable power of God in your personal sphere of influence and the wider world?**

### FAQ
**What does "I know not any" mean when God says it?**

Answer: When God declares, "I know not any," it is an anthropomorphism, meaning it attributes a human characteristic (knowing or not knowing) to God to convey a profound theological truth. In this context, it powerfully emphasizes God's absolute, comprehensive, and exhaustive knowledge. It is not that God is ignorant of something; rather, it is a definitive and powerful way of stating that His perfect omniscience confirms the non-existence of any other deity. If another god existed, He, being omniscient, would certainly know it. Since He declares He knows none, it unequivocally means there are none. This reinforces His singular existence, unparalleled uniqueness, and exclusive claim to divinity.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of monotheism in the Bible?**

Answer: [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - A Foundation of Monotheism") is one of the clearest, most emphatic, and uncompromising declarations of monotheism found in the entire Old Testament. The rhetorical question, "Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God," leaves absolutely no room for polytheism or the worship of multiple deities. It asserts that Yahweh alone is God, and there is no other in existence who can compare to Him or share His divine attributes. This declaration aligns perfectly with foundational biblical truths, such as the first commandment in [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No other gods before me"), which explicitly prohibits having "any other gods before me," and is further affirmed by later New Testament passages like [1 Corinthians 8:4-6](/1_corinthians/8-4-6 "1 Corinthians 8:4-6 - There is no God but one"), which states, "there is none other God but one." It establishes the exclusive claim of the God of Israel as the only true and living God of the universe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 44:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest, most profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The God who declares, "Fear ye not, neither be afraid," and asserts His sole existence and unparalleled foreknowledge, is the very same God revealed fully and completely in the person of Jesus. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), the very embodiment of the unique deity proclaimed in Isaiah. He is the one through whom God "told thee from that time, and have declared it," for all the promises of God, uttered throughout history, find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Jesus's miraculous birth, His perfect life, His authoritative teachings, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection are the ultimate, tangible declarations of God's power, faithfulness, and sovereign control over history, perfectly fulfilling the prophetic word. Furthermore, the call for ancient Israel to be "my witnesses" is profoundly re-commissioned and expanded in the New Covenant through Christ. Jesus tells His disciples, "ye shall be witnesses unto me" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You will be my witnesses")), extending this vital role to all who believe in Him, empowering them by the Holy Spirit. The rhetorical question, "Is there a God beside me?", is answered definitively and personally in Christ, for He is "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")), the one in whom "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Godhead in Christ")). Thus, in Jesus Christ, the ancient declaration of God's singular, incomparable nature is not only affirmed but made tangible, accessible, and redemptively powerful, inviting all humanity to cast off fear and place their complete trust in the one true God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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 43:10

Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

1 Samuel 2:2

[There is] none holy as the LORD: for [there is] none beside thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God.

Deuteronomy 4:35

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he [is] God; [there is] none else beside him.

Deuteronomy 4:39

Know therefore this day, and consider [it] in thine heart, that the LORD he [is] God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: [there is] none else.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 1:1

¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joel 2:27

And ye shall know that I [am] in the midst of Israel, and [that] I [am] the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.