Isaiah 51:13

KJV

And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

KJV (with Strong's)

And forgettest {H7911} the LORD {H3068} thy maker {H6213}, that hath stretched forth {H5186} the heavens {H8064}, and laid the foundations {H3245} of the earth {H776}; and hast feared {H6342} continually {H8548} every day {H3117} because {H6440} of the fury {H2534} of the oppressor {H6693}, as if {H834} he were ready {H3559} to destroy {H7843}? and where is the fury {H2534} of the oppressor {H6693}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You have forgotten ADONAI, your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Instead, you are in constant fear all day because of the oppressor's rage, as he prepares to destroy! But where is the oppressor's rage?

Berean Standard Bible

But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

American Standard Version

and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 51:13 serves as a poignant divine rebuke and rhetorical question, challenging the people of Israel to confront their spiritual amnesia and misplaced fear. It starkly contrasts the infinite power and creative majesty of the Lord, their Maker and the architect of the cosmos, with the transient, limited, and ultimately impotent wrath of their human oppressors. The verse calls the fearful exiles to remember God's unparalleled sovereignty and to find their security in Him, rather than being paralyzed by the perceived threat of those who seek to harm them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Following powerful declarations of God's incomparable greatness and His steadfast commitment to redeem His people (e.g., [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort for Israel")), Isaiah 51 specifically calls the people to "listen" and "look" to their origins and to God's past faithfulness. The preceding verses (Isaiah 51:1-11) encourage them to remember Abraham and Sarah, highlighting God's power to bring forth a nation from one couple, and promising a future restoration that will transform the wilderness into a garden. Verse 12 directly asks, "Who are you, that you should be afraid of man who dies, and of the son of man who is made like grass?" Isaiah 51:13 then builds upon this by directly linking their fear of man to a forgetfulness of their divine Creator, setting the stage for further promises of deliverance and the ultimate triumph of God's justice in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 51 is the Babylonian Exile (586-538 BC), a period of profound national trauma, displacement, and despair for the people of Judah. They were living as captives in a foreign land, under the oppressive rule of a powerful empire. The "oppressor" in this context refers directly to Babylon, whose military might and cultural dominance seemed insurmountable. The daily reality for the exiles was one of fear, uncertainty, and the constant threat of further destruction or subjugation. Their spiritual state was characterized by a struggle to reconcile God's promises with their harsh reality, leading to a tendency to forget God's past acts of deliverance and His identity as the sovereign Lord of history. This cultural milieu of fear and perceived helplessness made God's rhetorical question in verse 13 particularly sharp and necessary, aiming to reorient their perspective from their immediate circumstances to the eternal power of their God.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 51:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, contrasting God's role as the Creator of the cosmos—one who has [stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth](/isaiah/40-22 "Isaiah 40:22 - God Stretches Out the Heavens")—with the limited and transient power of human empires. Secondly, it highlights the **Peril of Spiritual Forgetfulness**, emphasizing how forgetting the Lord, their Maker, directly leads to debilitating fear of human adversaries. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in warnings against forgetting God's covenant ([Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Do Not Forget the Lord")). Thirdly, the verse addresses the theme of **Misplaced Fear**, challenging the irrationality of fearing mortal man more than the immortal God. The rhetorical question, "and where is the fury of the oppressor?", implies the ultimate futility and disappearance of such earthly threats in the face of God's eternal plan and power, a concept also found in [Psalm 118:6](/psalm/118-6 "Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is With Me").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forgettest (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** This verb signifies to mislay, to be oblivious of, or to lose from memory or attention. It implies not just an accidental oversight but a deliberate or habitual neglect of remembrance. In this context, it points to Israel's active failure to recall God's identity as their Creator and His past acts of power, leading to a profound spiritual amnesia that directly fueled their fear.
* **maker (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** While the Strong's definition for `H6213` is primarily "to do or make," in the context of "the LORD thy maker," it emphasizes God as the active, intentional, and skilled Creator. It highlights His ongoing work of forming and sustaining, not only the cosmos but also His people, underscoring His intimate relationship and proprietary claim over them. This term evokes the profound power and personal investment God has in His creation and His covenant people.
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** This noun denotes intense heat, figuratively representing anger, rage, or poison. It describes the violent, destructive passion of the oppressor. The use of this word emphasizes the perceived intensity and danger of the enemy's wrath, making God's subsequent rhetorical question, "and where is the fury of the oppressor?", even more striking in its declaration of the ultimate impotence of this human rage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And forgettest the LORD thy maker,"**: This opening clause lays the central charge against Israel. Their fear of the oppressor is directly linked to a profound spiritual forgetfulness of Yahweh, their covenant God, who is also their "maker" – the one who created them and sustains them. This forgetfulness is not merely cognitive but implies a failure to trust and rely on His character and power.
* **"that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth;"**: This clause immediately provides the counter-argument to Israel's forgetfulness, reminding them of God's unparalleled power as the Creator. The imagery of stretching out the heavens and laying the earth's foundations emphasizes His absolute sovereignty over all creation, highlighting His boundless might compared to any earthly power.
* **"and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy?"**: This section describes the consequence of their forgetfulness: constant, pervasive fear of their human adversaries. The phrase "continually every day" underscores the relentless nature of their dread. The "fury of the oppressor" is presented as a terrifying, imminent threat, leading them to believe destruction is at hand. This fear is portrayed as irrational given the identity of their God.
* **"and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?"**: This powerful rhetorical question concludes the verse. It challenges the very reality and lasting impact of the oppressor's "fury." By asking "where is it?", God implies that this fury is transient, ultimately inconsequential, and will vanish. It serves as a stark reminder that the oppressor's power is fleeting and ultimately subject to God's divine will.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 51:13 is rich in **Rhetorical Question**, a primary device used to challenge the audience's faulty perspective and to underscore a self-evident truth. The question "And where is the fury of the oppressor?" is not seeking information but rather forcing the exiles to recognize the temporary and ultimately impotent nature of their enemies' power in comparison to God's eternal might. This is amplified by **Contrast**, as the verse juxtaposes God's boundless creative power ("stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth") with the limited, mortal "fury of the oppressor." This stark comparison highlights the irrationality of fearing man more than God. Furthermore, **Hyperbole** is present in "feared continually every day," emphasizing the pervasive and overwhelming nature of their fear, which is then undermined by the rhetorical question. The verse also employs **Metonymy** where "fury" stands for the destructive power and actions of the oppressor, making the question about its ultimate disappearance even more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 51:13 profoundly underscores the biblical truth that fear of man is a direct consequence of forgetting God's sovereign power and faithful character. When our gaze shifts from the eternal Creator to temporal threats, our perspective becomes distorted, leading to anxiety and spiritual paralysis. The Lord, who meticulously crafted the vast cosmos, is infinitely more powerful than any earthly adversary or circumstance. This verse serves as a timeless call to re-anchor our trust in God's omnipotence, reminding us that the "fury" of any oppressor is ultimately fleeting and subject to His divine control. Our security is found not in the absence of threats, but in the unwavering presence and power of our divine Maker.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Do Not Fear Those Who Kill the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 51:13 offers a profound challenge and comfort for contemporary believers. In a world often characterized by anxiety, political unrest, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles, it's easy to become consumed by fear of what "the oppressor" – whether a person, a system, or a circumstance – might do. This verse calls us to examine the object of our fear. Are we truly living as if our God is the all-powerful Creator who stretched out the heavens, or are we, like ancient Israel, forgetting Him and allowing the transient "fury" of earthly challenges to dictate our emotional and spiritual state? To remember our Maker is to recall His infinite power, His unwavering faithfulness, and His ultimate control over all things. This remembrance should be the antidote to paralyzing fear, empowering us to stand firm in faith, knowing that any perceived threat is ultimately inconsequential in the face of God's eternal purposes. We are invited to shift our focus from the fleeting storms of life to the immutable character of the One who holds the universe in His hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "oppressors" (people, circumstances, anxieties) currently dominate your thoughts and generate fear in your life?**
* **In what ways might you be "forgetting the LORD thy maker" in your daily walk, leading to misplaced fear?**
* **How can intentionally recalling God's creative power and sovereignty practically transform your response to fear and uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**Why does God refer to Himself as "thy maker" and mention stretching forth the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth?**

Answer: God emphasizes His role as "thy maker" and the Creator of the cosmos to highlight His absolute and unparalleled power, sovereignty, and intimate relationship with His people. By reminding Israel that He is the one who "stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth," God establishes His credentials as the ultimate authority and source of all power. This serves as a stark contrast to the limited, temporary power of any human "oppressor." The same God who brought the universe into existence is the one who cares for and can deliver His people, making their fear of mere mortals irrational. This foundational truth about God's creative power is a recurring theme in Isaiah, found also in [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God, the Creator").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 51:13 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "LORD thy maker," the one who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, is none other than the pre-existent Word, through whom all things were made ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Were Made Through Him") and [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ")). The forgetfulness of God's power, leading to fear of the oppressor, is precisely the human condition that Christ came to redeem. He entered a world enslaved by fear of death and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Frees Us from Fear of Death")), demonstrating His supreme authority over all earthly and spiritual powers. The "fury of the oppressor" ultimately culminates in the power of sin and death, yet Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, decisively triumphed over these ultimate oppressors ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). In Him, the believer is freed from the paralyzing fear of man, for "if God is for us, who can be against us?" ([Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is For Us")). Jesus' life, death, and resurrection definitively answer the rhetorical question, "and where is the fury of the oppressor?" – it is vanquished, disarmed, and rendered powerless for those who trust in the Creator made manifest in Christ. He is our ultimate security, the one who casts out all fear ([1 John 4:18](/1_john/4-18 "1 John 4:18 - Perfect Love Casts Out Fear")).

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

Psalms 104:2

Who coverest [thyself] with light as [with] a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Isaiah 45:12

I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Isaiah 17:10

Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

Isaiah 40:22

[It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Isaiah 48:13

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

Isaiah 44:24

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Daniel 3:19

¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.