Isaiah 46:11

KJV

Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Calling {H7121} a ravenous bird {H5861} from the east {H4217}, the man {H376} that executeth my counsel {H6098} from a far {H4801} country {H776}: yea, I have spoken {H1696} it, I will also bring {H935} it to pass; I have purposed {H3335} it, I will also do {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

I call a bird of prey from the east, the man I intended, from a distant country. I have spoken and will bring it about; I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it.

Berean Standard Bible

I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

American Standard Version

calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 46:11 powerfully declares the absolute sovereignty of the Lord God over all of history and nations, specifically foretelling the rise of a key figure, Cyrus the Great, who would serve as His instrument to execute His divine counsel. This profound verse underscores God's unique power to speak His purposes into existence and infallibly bring them to pass, demonstrating His unparalleled control over human affairs and His unwavering faithfulness to His declared word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 46 is situated within a larger section of the book (chapters 40-48) that focuses on God's incomparable nature, particularly His unique ability to declare the future and fulfill His word, in stark contrast to the impotent idols of Babylon. The preceding verses in chapter 46 mock the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo, who are depicted as burdens to their worshippers, unable to save themselves or their devotees from captivity and destruction. God then presents Himself as the one who carries His people, not one who needs to be carried, emphasizing His eternal care from birth to old age. Verse 10, immediately preceding our text, sets the stage by stating, "I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’" [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Isaiah 46:11 then provides a concrete example of this divine declaration and execution, specifically pointing to the instrument of His will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah during their impending or ongoing Babylonian exile (though prophesying long before it began). The exiles would have been surrounded by the polytheistic culture of Babylon, with its grand temples and numerous idols. In this context, God's declaration of His unique power and foreknowledge served as a profound source of comfort, reassurance, and a call to trust in His singular deity. The "ravenous bird from the east" and "the man that executeth my counsel from a far country" is a clear prophetic reference to Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. Persia lay to the east of Babylon. Historically, Cyrus would swiftly conquer Babylon in 539 BC, acting as God's unwitting instrument to allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, fulfilling prophecies made over a century earlier [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for the Return to Jerusalem"). This historical fulfillment would serve as irrefutable proof of Yahweh's supremacy over all other gods.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Isaiah and biblical theology. Foremost is **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, which is emphatically asserted as God orchestrates world events and raises up even pagan rulers like Cyrus to fulfill His specific plans, demonstrating that He is not merely observing history but actively directing it. This leads to the theme of the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as God's ability to call Cyrus by name (prophetically in [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - God's Prophecy about Cyrus")) and then bring about his actions, even before Cyrus was born, highlights the reliability and certainty of divine prophecy. Lastly, the repeated divine declaration, "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it," reinforces the theme of **God's Unwavering Word and Faithfulness**. What God declares, He will undoubtedly accomplish, providing immense comfort and assurance to His people amidst uncertainty, as seen in His promise to bring them out of exile [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Promises to Gather His People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ravenous bird (Hebrew, _ʻayiṭ'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to swoop," refers to a hawk or other bird of prey. In this context, it is a vivid and powerful metaphor for Cyrus the Great, emphasizing his swiftness, decisive action, and predatory power in conquest. Just as a bird of prey descends rapidly and powerfully upon its target, so too would Cyrus conquer nations, specifically Babylon, as an instrument of God's judgment and deliverance.
* **counsel (Hebrew, _ʻêtsâh'_):** This word signifies advice, advisement, or, more profoundly, a deliberate and unchangeable plan or purpose. When applied to God, it highlights His sovereign, pre-ordained will and unalterable intentions. Cyrus's actions, though seemingly driven by his own ambitions and strategies, were ultimately aligned with and served God's eternal, wise, and predetermined plan for His people and the nations.
* **purposed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** This verb means "to mould into a form," often used in the context of a potter shaping clay. Figuratively, it means "to determine" or "to form a resolution." When God states He has "purposed" something, it conveys the idea that He has carefully and definitively shaped His plan, bringing it into a concrete form in His divine mind, making its execution as certain as a potter's finished vessel. This emphasizes the intentionality and certainty of God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Calling a ravenous bird from the east,"**: This phrase introduces the divine initiative. God is actively summoning an agent—metaphorically described as a swift, powerful bird of prey—from the eastern direction, which in this geopolitical context refers to the region from which the Persian Empire, led by Cyrus, would emerge to conquer Babylon.
* **"the man that executeth my counsel from a far country:"**: This clause identifies the "ravenous bird" as a specific human agent, a "man," who will carry out God's deliberate and sovereign plan ("my counsel"). The "far country" further specifies the distant origin of this individual, reinforcing the idea of a foreign, powerful ruler raised up by God.
* **"yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass;"**: This is a powerful declaration of divine certainty. God emphasizes that what He has verbally declared ("spoken") is not a mere suggestion or possibility, but an absolute certainty that He Himself will actively cause to materialize ("bring it to pass"). This highlights His omnipotence and faithfulness.
* **"I have purposed [it], I will also do it."**: This final clause reiterates and reinforces the previous declaration. God's "purposed" (or planned/formed) will is inextricably linked to His "doing" (or accomplishing/executing). It underscores the unshakeable connection between God's intention and His action, leaving no doubt about the fulfillment of His divine decrees.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 46:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Cyrus the Great is vividly depicted as a "ravenous bird." This imagery effectively communicates Cyrus's swiftness, power, and the decisive nature of his conquests, much like a bird of prey swooping down on its target. This metaphor also subtly suggests that while Cyrus acts with his own ambitions, he is ultimately an instrument in God's hand. Another significant device is **Repetition**, particularly in the concluding parallel clauses: "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it." This rhetorical technique serves to emphasize and underscore the absolute certainty, immutability, and divine resolve of God's word and purpose. The reiteration builds a sense of unyielding assurance, impressing upon the listener the undeniable truth that what God declares, He will unfailingly accomplish. The entire verse also functions as a powerful **Prophecy**, demonstrating God's unique attribute of foreknowledge and His ability to declare future events with precision, thereby validating His supreme deity over all other gods.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 46:11 stands as a monumental declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, revealing that His divine will is not merely aspirational but actively executed through His providential control over all creation and human history. This verse assures us that even the most powerful human leaders and complex geopolitical events are ultimately instruments in God's hands, serving His eternal purposes. It provides profound comfort, reminding believers that no circumstance, however chaotic or threatening, can thwart God's ultimate plan. His word is His bond, and His purpose will always prevail, offering a steadfast anchor for faith in a turbulent world.

* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.")
* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - God Works Everything According to His Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 46:11 offers a profound bedrock for our faith, anchoring us in the unwavering truth of God's absolute control. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and seemingly random events, this verse reminds us that God is not a passive observer but the active orchestrator of history. This truth should profoundly shape our perspective, transforming anxiety into trust. When we face personal challenges, global crises, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we can rest in the knowledge that God's "counsel" will stand, and He will "bring it to pass." It calls us to surrender our worries and ambitions to His perfect will, knowing that His plans, though sometimes mysterious, are always good and ultimately victorious. This passage empowers us to pray with confidence, knowing that God hears and acts according to His sovereign purpose, and to live with courageous hope, understanding that our lives, too, are woven into His grand, unfolding design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's absolute sovereignty, as declared in Isaiah 46:11, impact your trust in Him amidst personal or global uncertainties?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust that God's "counsel" will ultimately prevail?**
* **How does God's unwavering faithfulness to His spoken word, as emphasized here, encourage you in your walk of faith?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "ravenous bird from the east" mentioned in Isaiah 46:11?**

Answer: The "ravenous bird from the east" is a prophetic metaphor for Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. He is described as coming "from the east" because Persia was located to the east of Babylon, the dominant power at the time. The imagery of a "ravenous bird" emphasizes his swiftness, power, and the decisive nature of his conquests, much like a bird of prey swooping down on its target. God used Cyrus, a pagan king, as His instrument to conquer Babylon and facilitate the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem, fulfilling divine prophecy (see [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for the Return to Jerusalem")).

**What is the significance of God stating, "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it"?**

Answer: This powerful declaration underscores God's absolute omnipotence, unwavering faithfulness, and the certainty of His divine word. It signifies that there is an unbreakable link between God's intention (His "purpose") and His action (His "doing"), and between His declaration ("spoken") and its fulfillment ("bring it to pass"). Unlike human promises that can fail, God's word is inherently effective and guaranteed to achieve its intended outcome. This provides immense assurance that all of God's promises, whether of judgment or salvation, will be perfectly fulfilled, as seen in His declaration in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 46:11 specifically foretells the historical role of Cyrus as God's instrument, its deeper theological principle points to the ultimate executor of God's counsel and purpose: Jesus Christ. Just as God called a "ravenous bird" from a "far country" to accomplish His will for Israel's physical deliverance, so too did God send His Son, the ultimate "man that executeth my counsel," from the far country of heaven to accomplish His eternal counsel for humanity's spiritual deliverance. Jesus is the divine Word made flesh, the one through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"). His life, death, and resurrection are the supreme "bringing to pass" of God's eternal purpose for redemption, a plan conceived "before the foundation of the world" [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World"). The victory over sin and death, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the gathering of His people are all the fulfillment of what God has "spoken" and "purposed" in Christ. He is not merely an instrument, but the very embodiment of God's counsel, the one who fully reveals the Father and perfectly accomplishes His will, ensuring that every divine promise finds its "Yes" in Him [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ").

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

Numbers 23:19

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Isaiah 14:24

¶ The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:

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?

Job 23:13

¶ But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous [man] from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made [him] rule over kings? he gave [them] as the dust to his sword, [and] as driven stubble to his bow.

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: