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Isaiah 48:16

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¶ Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there [am] I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

Come {H7126} ye near {H7126} unto me, hear {H8085} ye this; I have not spoken {H1696} in secret {H5643} from the beginning {H7218}; from the time {H6256} that it was, there am I: and now the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, and his Spirit {H7307}, hath sent {H7971} me.

"Come close to me, and listen to this: since the beginning I have not spoken in secret, since the time things began to be, I have been there; and now Adonai ELOHIM has sent me and his Spirit."

Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit.

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit.

Commentary

Isaiah 48:16 presents a profound prophetic statement, often interpreted as a voice from the divine, possibly the Messiah, revealing God's clear and open communication with humanity throughout history, culminating in a divine mission. This verse comes at a crucial point in Isaiah's prophecies, as God addresses Israel's stubbornness and calls them to listen to His unwavering truth.

Context

Chapter 48 concludes a section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48) where God, through the prophet, challenges Israel's idolatry and declares His sovereignty over history, particularly in raising up Cyrus to deliver them from Babylonian captivity. Despite their rebellion and spiritual blindness, God reiterates His faithfulness and His unique ability to declare the future from the past. The call "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this" serves as an urgent invitation for a disobedient people to pay attention to a foundational truth about God's character and plan. The declaration of not speaking "in secret from the beginning" contrasts sharply with the hidden and manipulative practices of pagan divination and false gods.

Key Themes

  • God's Open Revelation: The phrase "I have not spoken in secret from the beginning" emphasizes that God's truth, His plans, and His warnings have always been openly declared, not hidden or whispered. This highlights His transparency and integrity, inviting trust rather than suspicion.
  • God's Eternality and Omnipresence: "from the time that it was, there am I" powerfully asserts God's pre-existence and active presence throughout all of creation and history. He is not bound by time or space; He is the Alpha and the Omega, intimately involved from the very beginning of all things. This resonates with the opening of John's Gospel, describing the Word's eternal existence.
  • The Divine Sender and Sent One: The concluding declaration, "and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me," is highly significant. Many commentators interpret "me" as the pre-existent Messiah, the Servant of the Lord, speaking prophetically of His mission. This verse provides a remarkable Old Testament hint of the Trinity, showing the Father ("the Lord GOD") and the Holy Spirit ("his Spirit") acting in concert to send the Son. It speaks to the divine commission and unity within the Godhead.
  • Messianic Prophecy: This verse is often cited as a Messianic prophecy, pointing to the future coming and mission of Jesus Christ, who declared, "I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me" (John 8:42).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "from the time that it was, there am I" (KJV) conveys a sense of timeless presence. The Hebrew for "Lord GOD" is often Adonai Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. The mention of "his Spirit" (ruach) alongside God highlights the active involvement of the Holy Spirit in divine revelation and mission, a concept that becomes clearer in the New Testament.

Practical Application

Isaiah 48:16 reminds us that God is not a hidden deity but a God who desires to be known. His truth is not obscure but openly revealed, particularly through His Word and through Jesus Christ. For us today, this means we can approach God with confidence, knowing He has made Himself accessible. It encourages us to listen attentively to His voice, trust His eternal presence in our lives, and recognize the divine mission of Christ, sent by the Father and the Spirit, to bring salvation and light to the world. It underscores the reliability of God's prophetic word and His consistent character through all ages.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 18:20 (11 votes)

    Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

  • John 20:21 (8 votes)

    Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

  • John 20:22 (8 votes)

    And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

  • Isaiah 45:19 (7 votes)

    I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

  • John 3:34 (7 votes)

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].

  • Isaiah 61:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Isaiah 61:3 (6 votes)

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.