Isaiah 50:2

KJV

Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore, when I came {H935}, was there no man {H376}? when I called {H7121}, was there none to answer {H6030}? Is my hand {H3027} shortened {H7114} at all {H7114}, that it cannot redeem {H6304}? or have I no power {H3581} to deliver {H5337}? behold, at my rebuke {H1606} I dry up {H2717} the sea {H3220}, I make {H7760} the rivers {H5104} a wilderness {H4057}: their fish {H1710} stinketh {H887}, because there is no water {H4325}, and dieth {H4191} for thirst {H6772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Why was no one here when I came? Why, when I called, did nobody answer? Is my arm too short to redeem? Have I too little power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into desert, their fish rot for lack of water and they die of thirst;

Berean Standard Bible

Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

American Standard Version

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 50:2 presents a profound divine interrogation, where the Lord challenges the unresponsiveness and doubt of His people, likely in the context of their Babylonian exile or impending judgment. Through a series of rhetorical questions, God underscores His unwavering power and infinite capacity to redeem and deliver, contrasting human faithlessness with His demonstrated historical might. He references the miraculous drying of the sea and rivers as irrefutable proof of His omnipotence, serving as both a lament over Israel's spiritual apathy and a powerful affirmation of God's undiminished sovereignty and redemptive capability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 50:2 is situated within the broader collection of "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 52:13-53:12), although the initial verses of chapter 50 (50:1-3) feature God Himself speaking directly. This section serves as a divine defense against Israel's perception of abandonment. In [Isaiah 50:1](/isaiah/50-1 "Isaiah 50:1 - God's Refutation of Divorce or Sale"), God refutes any notion that He had divorced Israel or sold them into slavery due to His own inability or lack of means, instead attributing their plight to their own iniquities. Verse 2 then deepens this divine lament, specifically addressing their lack of faith and their failure to respond to His initiatives. It sets a crucial contrast for the subsequent discourse of the Suffering Servant (found in [Isaiah 50:4-9](/isaiah/50-4-9 "Isaiah 50:4-9 - The Obedient Servant's Resolve")), who embodies perfect obedience and responsiveness, highlighting what Israel failed to be.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 50 is the period of the Babylonian exile or its aftermath, a time of profound national crisis, despair, and questioning for the people of Judah. Having suffered the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and forcibly removed from their land, many Israelites struggled with doubts about God's faithfulness and power. They questioned whether God had abandoned them or was simply too weak to deliver them from their oppressors. Culturally, the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel was central, with God consistently initiating and calling His people to obedience, and Israel often responding with rebellion or apathy. The reference to drying up the sea and rivers would immediately evoke the foundational [Exodus narrative](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), a pivotal event in Israel's history that demonstrated God's miraculous power to deliver His people from bondage, thereby serving as a powerful reminder of His unchanging nature and ability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Initiative and Human Unresponsiveness**, where God continually reaches out and calls His people, yet they fail to heed or respond, a lament found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:13](/jeremiah/7-13 "Jeremiah 7:13 - God's Persistent Call and Israel's Disobedience") where God speaks of rising early and calling, but no one answering). Secondly, it emphatically asserts **God's Unchanging Power and Sovereignty**, directly challenging any human doubt about His capacity to redeem and deliver. The rhetorical questions underscore that God's "hand" (power) is never "shortened" (limited), a truth reiterated elsewhere in Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 59:1](/isaiah/59-1 "Isaiah 59:1 - The Lord's Hand Is Not Shortened")). Lastly, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness Rooted in His Past Actions**, reminding Israel of His mighty deeds, such as the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), as irrefutable evidence of His enduring ability to intervene and save.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This primitive word (H3027), in distinction from the open palm (כַּף), refers to the closed hand, indicating power, means, and direction. In this context, "my hand" is a powerful anthropomorphism for God's divine power, authority, and capacity to act. The question "Is my hand shortened?" directly challenges any notion that God's ability to intervene, redeem, or deliver has been diminished or limited. It emphasizes the unchangeable and infinite nature of His strength, a common biblical metaphor for divine agency and might.
* **Shortened (Hebrew, _qâtsar'_):** A primitive root (H7114) meaning "to dock off" or "curtail," implying reduction, limitation, or becoming insufficient. When applied to God's "hand," it refers to His power being reduced or made inadequate. The rhetorical question "Is my hand shortened at all?" emphatically denies any such limitation, asserting God's full and undiminished capacity to accomplish His will, especially in redemption and deliverance. This word conveys the idea of an inability to reach or achieve, which God vehemently refutes concerning His own power.
* **Rebuke (Hebrew, _gᵉʻârâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to chide," this term (H1606) signifies a strong verbal reprimand, reproof, or stern command. In the context of God's actions, it denotes His authoritative word of judgment or command that brings about a powerful, often destructive, effect. Here, God's "rebuke" is presented as the direct cause of the drying up of the sea and rivers, illustrating His absolute sovereignty and control over creation through His spoken word, highlighting the immediate and devastating efficacy of His divine pronouncements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer?"**: These rhetorical questions express God's lament and astonishment at the lack of human response to His divine initiative. "When I came" (H935, _bôw'_) refers to God's consistent presence, intervention, and approach to His people through prophets, laws, and providential acts. "When I called" (H7121, _qârâ'_) signifies His persistent summons to obedience, repentance, and covenant faithfulness. The implied answer is a sorrowful "yes," indicating Israel's pervasive spiritual apathy, disobedience, and failure to acknowledge or respond to God's overtures, despite His continuous efforts to engage with them. The term "no man" (H376, _'îysh_) emphasizes the complete absence of a responsive individual.
* **"Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?"**: This second set of rhetorical questions directly addresses the people's underlying doubts about God's capability. "Is my hand (H3027, _yâd'_) shortened (H7114, _qâtsar'_)?" is a powerful idiom questioning if God's power has diminished or become insufficient. "That it cannot redeem (H6304, _pᵉdûwth_)?" refers to His inability to buy back, rescue, or restore His people from their predicament, whether from sin or captivity. "Have I no power (H3581, _kôach_) to deliver (H5337, _nâtsal_)?" reinforces the challenge, asking if His strength to save, liberate, or bring forth salvation is lacking. The emphatic negative answer to these questions asserts God's absolute omnipotence and His unchanging, boundless capacity to save and liberate.
* **"behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst."**: This clause provides irrefutable evidence of God's unfailing power, serving as a direct answer to the preceding rhetorical questions. The phrase "at my rebuke (H1606, _gᵉʻârâh_)" highlights the effortless nature of God's command; His mere word is sufficient. "I dry up (H2717, _chârab_) the sea (H3220, _yâm_), I make (H7760, _sûwm_) the rivers (H5104, _nâhâr_) a wilderness (H4057, _midbâr_)" is a clear allusion to the Exodus event, specifically the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea") (and possibly the Jordan River crossing). This foundational miracle demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His ability to manipulate natural elements at will, and His historical precedent of delivering His people through seemingly impossible means. The vivid imagery of "their fish (H1710, _dâgâh_) stinketh (H887, _bâ'ash_), because there is no water (H4325, _mayim_), and dieth (H4191, _mûwth_) for thirst (H6772, _tsâmâ'')" emphasizes the completeness and devastating effect of God's power when exercised, leaving no doubt about His capacity to act decisively.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 50:2 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, used three times ("was there no man?", "was there none to answer?", "Is my hand shortened at all... or have I no power to deliver?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to make an emphatic point, highlighting God's lament over Israel's unresponsiveness and powerfully asserting His undiminished omnipotence. This creates a sense of divine exasperation and challenges the audience's assumptions. **Allusion** is central to the latter part of the verse, with the drying of the sea and making rivers a wilderness directly referencing the Exodus narrative and the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea"). This serves as a powerful reminder of God's past, undeniable acts of deliverance, grounding His present claims of power in historical precedent. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the phrase "my hand," attributing a human body part to God to represent His power and agency, making His might more relatable and tangible to the audience. Finally, **Vivid Imagery** is employed with the description of "their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst," creating a stark and memorable picture of desolation and the complete, devastating effect of God's command over nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 50:2 profoundly underscores the consistent tension between God's boundless power and His people's persistent unfaithfulness. Theologically, it reaffirms God's absolute sovereignty and omnipotence, demonstrating that His capacity to redeem and deliver is never diminished, regardless of the severity of the circumstances or the depth of human sin. It highlights the divine initiative in salvation history, where God continually calls and acts on behalf of humanity, even when met with apathy or doubt. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our perception of God's limitations often stems from our own limited faith, rather than any actual deficiency in His divine attributes. It challenges believers to move beyond doubt and to trust in the God who, by His mere "rebuke," can alter the very fabric of creation.

* [Numbers 11:23](/numbers/11-23 "Numbers 11:23 - The Lord's Hand Is Not Shortened")
* [Psalm 78:41](/psalms/78-41 "Psalm 78:41 - Limiting the Holy One of Israel")
* [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 50:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to examine our own responsiveness to God's ongoing call and our trust in His unfailing power. In a world often marked by despair, doubt, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that God's "hand" is never "shortened." We are prone to limit God in our minds, projecting our own weaknesses and limitations onto His infinite capacity. This passage calls us to remember His past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our personal lives, as a foundation for present trust. It challenges us to actively listen for His voice and respond with faith and obedience, rather than allowing apathy or fear to render us unresponsive. When faced with trials, whether personal or collective, we are invited to lean into the assurance that the God who dried up the sea is still fully capable of making a way where there seems to be none, delivering us from bondage, and bringing about redemption. Our faith is not in our own strength or circumstances, but in the limitless power of the Almighty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently doubting God's power or His ability to redeem and deliver?**
* **How might my own unresponsiveness or spiritual apathy be hindering God's work in my life or through me?**
* **What past acts of God's faithfulness, either in scripture or in my personal experience, can I recall to strengthen my faith in His unchanging power?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's "coming" and "calling" in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary message of Isaiah 50:2?**

Answer: The primary message of Isaiah 50:2 is a dual one: it expresses God's lament over the unresponsiveness and lack of faith among His people, while simultaneously asserting His undiminished, infinite power to redeem and deliver. God challenges their doubts by reminding them of His historical acts of omnipotence, particularly His control over creation, as seen in the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea"). It's a call to trust in His unchanging might despite their current circumstances or their own spiritual apathy.

**How does this verse relate to the "Servant Songs" in Isaiah?**

Answer: While Isaiah 50:2 features God speaking directly, it sets the stage for the subsequent "Servant Song" in [Isaiah 50:4-9](/isaiah/50-4-9 "Isaiah 50:4-9 - The Obedient Servant's Resolve"). The people's unresponsiveness and doubt, highlighted in verse 2, provide a stark contrast to the perfect obedience and unwavering trust of the Suffering Servant described later in the chapter. The Servant's willingness to listen and respond (e.g., [Isaiah 50:4](/isaiah/50-4 "Isaiah 50:4 - The Servant's Obedient Ear")) stands in direct opposition to the people's failure to answer God's call, emphasizing the Servant as the ideal embodiment of what Israel was meant to be.

**What does "Is my hand shortened?" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "Is my hand shortened?" is a powerful Hebrew idiom that means "Is my power limited or diminished?" It is a rhetorical question posed by God, emphatically denying any reduction in His strength, ability, or capacity to act. It assures the audience that God's omnipotence is absolute and unchanging, and He remains fully capable of performing mighty acts of redemption and deliverance, just as He did in the past (e.g., [Numbers 11:23](/numbers/11-23 "Numbers 11:23 - The Lord's Hand Is Not Shortened")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 50:2, with its divine lament over human unresponsiveness and its powerful affirmation of God's undiminished power to redeem, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "coming" and "calling" of God, to which Israel failed to answer, culminated in the incarnation of the Son of God, who "came to his own, and his own did not receive him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Jesus perfectly embodies the divine initiative, being God's ultimate word and presence among humanity. Furthermore, the rhetorical question, "Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?" is answered definitively in Christ's redemptive work. Far from being shortened, God's hand of power was fully extended in the cross, where Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), delivered humanity from the bondage of sin and death, demonstrating God's ultimate power to save ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). His resurrection is the supreme proof that God's power to deliver is limitless, triumphing over the grave itself ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")). Thus, Jesus is both the perfectly responsive "man" whom God called, and the embodiment of God's unshortened hand, through whom all redemption and deliverance are accomplished.

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 59:1

¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Numbers 11:23

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Isaiah 66:4

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.

Joshua 3:16

That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Hosea 11:7

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;