Isaiah 50:8

[He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me.

He is near {H7138} that justifieth {H6663} me; who will contend {H7378} with me? let us stand {H5975} together {H3162}: who is mine adversary {H1167}{H4941}? let him come near {H5066} to me.

My vindicator is close by; let whoever dares to accuse me appear with me in court! Let whoever has a case against me step forward!

The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Isaiah 50:8 is a powerful declaration of unwavering confidence and vindication, spoken by the Lord's Servant. In this verse, the Servant — often understood prophetically as the Messiah, Jesus Christ — expresses absolute trust in God's righteous defense and ability to declare Him innocent against any accusation.

Context of Isaiah 50:8

This verse is part of the "Servant Songs" within the book of Isaiah, specifically following a passage where the Servant describes His obedience to God's calling and His willingness to endure suffering and shame (Isaiah 50:6-7). Despite facing opposition and indignity, the Servant maintains an unshakable faith in God's support. This passage highlights the Servant's mission and the divine assurance of His ultimate triumph over His accusers, setting the stage for the deeper suffering depicted later in Isaiah 53.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justification and Vindication: The central theme is God's role as the ultimate defender and justifier. The phrase "He is near that justifieth me" assures the Servant of divine acquittal from any charge. This speaks to God's active involvement in upholding the righteousness of His chosen one.
  • Unwavering Confidence in God: The Servant's rhetorical questions, "who will contend with me?" and "who is mine adversary?", are not expressions of arrogance but of profound faith. They demonstrate a complete reliance on God's power to defend and declare Him righteous, even in the face of intense opposition.
  • Challenge to Adversaries: The Servant boldly invites any accuser to "stand together" and "come near to me," signifying an open challenge, confident that no charge can stand against God's vindication. This underscores the futility of human opposition against divine purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "justifieth" (מַצְדִּיק - matzdik, a participle from the root צָדַק - tsadaq) means to declare righteous, to acquit, or to vindicate. It carries a strong legal connotation, implying a courtroom setting where God acts as the judge who pronounces the Servant innocent. The term "contend" (יָרִיב - yariv) also suggests legal dispute, while "adversary" (בַּעַל מִשְׁפָּט - ba'al mishpat) literally means "master of judgment" or "one who has a legal case," reinforcing the judicial imagery of the verse.

Related Scriptures

This verse provides immense comfort and strength for believers today. Just as the Servant was confident in God's justification, so too can followers of Christ find assurance. The New Testament declares that God is the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus, who died and rose again (Romans 8:33-34). This means that through Christ, believers are declared righteous in God's sight, and no accusation can ultimately stand against them.

When facing false accusations, spiritual attacks, or the condemnation of the enemy, believers can echo the Servant's confidence, knowing that God is their ultimate defender and advocate. The Lord is our helper, and we need not fear what man can do to us. This verse encourages us to stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will vindicate His own.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

  • Romans 8:34

    Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

  • Isaiah 41:1

    ¶ Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

  • Revelation 12:10

    And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

  • Isaiah 41:21

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

  • Isaiah 43:26

    Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

  • Exodus 22:9

    For all manner of trespass, [whether it be] for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, [or] for any manner of lost thing, which [another] challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; [and] whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.

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