Isaiah 51:12

I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;

I, even I, am he that comforteth {H5162} you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid {H3372} of a man {H582} that shall die {H4191}, and of the son {H1121} of man {H120} which shall be made {H5414} as grass {H2682};

"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you! Why are you afraid of a man, who must die; of a human being, who will wither like grass?

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass;

Isaiah 51:12 is a powerful declaration from God, contrasting His eternal ability to comfort with the fleeting nature and limited power of humanity. It challenges the basis of fear directed towards mortal beings when the Almighty God is the source of true security and comfort.

Context

This verse is part of a section in Isaiah (chapters 40-55) often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." Written during or anticipating Israel's exile in Babylon, these chapters aim to reassure the dispirited people that God has not abandoned them. He promises future restoration and emphasizes His supreme power and faithfulness compared to the idols of Babylon and the transient empires of the world. Verse 12 specifically follows calls for Israel to remember their origins (Abraham and Sarah) and look to God's past acts of redemption as a basis for trusting His future promises.

Key Themes

  • God as the Sole Comforter: The emphatic "I, even I" highlights God's unique and exclusive role as the ultimate source of comfort and solace for His people. Worldly comfort is temporary, but God's is eternal and sufficient.
  • The Frailty of Man: The verse starkly contrasts God's eternal nature with the mortality of man ("a man that shall die," "made as grass"). This imagery, common in the Old Testament, underscores human weakness and vulnerability.
  • The Folly of Fearing Man: Given God's power and man's frailty, the rhetorical question "who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man" exposes the irrationality of allowing fear of human threats or oppression to overshadow trust in God. The fear of man can be a snare, distracting from reliance on the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition "I, even I" is a Hebrew emphatic construction, strongly affirming God's identity and role. The phrase "son of man" here is simply a Hebrew idiom for 'human being'. The imagery of man being "made as grass" is a vivid metaphor for human mortality and transience, easily withering away, as seen in Psalm 103:15 or Isaiah 40:6-8.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder to shift our focus from the temporary dangers and opposition we face from other people to the eternal, comforting presence of God. When overwhelmed by fear of what others might do or say, we are called to remember that these individuals are mortal and limited. Our ultimate security and source of comfort is found in God alone, who is sovereign over all life and death.

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.

  • Psalms 118:6

    The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

  • 1 Peter 1:24

    ¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

  • Isaiah 2:22

    Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • John 14:27

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  • John 14:18

    I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

  • James 1:10

    But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

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