Isaiah 48:6

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare [it]? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.

Thou hast heard {H8085}, see {H2372} all this; and will not ye declare {H5046} it? I have shewed {H8085} thee new things {H2319} from this time {H6258}, even hidden things {H5341}, and thou didst not know {H3045} them.

You have heard and seen all this, so why won't you admit it? "Now I am announcing new things to you, secret things you have not known,

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.

Thou hast heard it; behold all this; and ye, will ye not declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, which thou hast not known.

Commentary

Isaiah 48:6 is a powerful declaration from God to the nation of Israel, particularly to those in Babylonian exile, serving as both a rebuke and a reminder of His unique divine nature.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's "Book of Consolation" (chapters 40-66), where God addresses His people, who are facing the consequences of their disobedience in exile. In chapter 48, God confronts Israel's stubbornness and idolatry. He emphasizes His sole deity by contrasting His prophetic abilities with the inability of idols to foretell the future. He reminds them of past prophecies they had heard and witnessed come to pass, yet they remained unwilling to acknowledge Him fully or declare His truth. The "new things" God is about to reveal pertain to their imminent deliverance from Babylon, a miraculous event orchestrated by Him, which they had not anticipated.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: God asserts His unique power to declare events before they happen. The phrase "I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them" underscores His unparalleled ability to reveal future plans that are utterly unknown to humanity. This theme is central to God's self-revelation in Isaiah, as seen in Isaiah 46:10.
  • Israel's Unbelief and Stubbornness: The rhetorical question "will not ye declare [it]?" highlights Israel's reluctance to acknowledge God's faithfulness despite overwhelming evidence. They had "heard" and "seen all this" (past fulfilled prophecies), yet their hearts were hardened, making them slow to believe or proclaim God's works. This persistent spiritual blindness is a recurring lament throughout the prophetic books, such as in Jeremiah 5:23.
  • Revelation of God's Unfolding Plan: The "new things" and "hidden things" God reveals are not just past prophecies but also future events concerning their deliverance from exile and, ultimately, the broader redemptive plan that extends to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. God is showing them aspects of His plan that were previously concealed, proving His active involvement in history.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "hidden things," nitzurot (נִצּוּרוֹת), implies things that are kept, guarded, or reserved, emphasizing their previously inaccessible and unknown nature to humanity. It speaks to God's exclusive knowledge.
  • The term "declare" (תַּגִּ֔ידוּ - taggidu) is a call to actively proclaim or report what God has done and is about to do. It's a challenge to Israel to be witnesses of God's power and truth.

Practical Application

Isaiah 48:6 challenges believers today to recognize God's ongoing revelation and faithfulness. Just as God revealed "new things" to ancient Israel, He continues to unfold His purposes in our lives and in history. This verse prompts us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Trust that God is in control and knows the future, even when circumstances seem uncertain or "hidden" from us.
  • Declare His Truth: Be willing to proclaim God's works and faithfulness to others, just as Israel was challenged to do. Our testimony strengthens our faith and encourages others.
  • Overcome Spiritual Blindness: Guard against the tendency to be stubborn or slow to believe, even when God's hand is evident. We are called to have discerning hearts that recognize His voice and His activity.

God's past faithfulness is a guarantee of His future promises. Even when the path ahead seems obscured, we can rest in the knowledge that God is revealing His plan, and He invites us to participate in declaring His glory.

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 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

  • Revelation 4:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

  • Isaiah 42:9 (6 votes)

    Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  • Romans 16:25 (6 votes)

    ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

  • Romans 16:26 (6 votes)

    But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

  • Isaiah 43:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

  • Isaiah 43:10 (3 votes)

    Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

  • Matthew 10:27 (3 votes)

    What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.