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Isaiah 50:2

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Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

Wherefore, when I came {H935}, was there no man {H376}? when I called {H7121}, was there none to answer {H6030}? Is my hand {H3027} shortened {H7114} at all {H7114}, that it cannot redeem {H6304}? or have I no power {H3581} to deliver {H5337}? behold, at my rebuke {H1606} I dry up {H2717} the sea {H3220}, I make {H7760} the rivers {H5104} a wilderness {H4057}: their fish {H1710} stinketh {H887}, because there is no water {H4325}, and dieth {H4191} for thirst {H6772}.

Why was no one here when I came? Why, when I called, did nobody answer? Is my arm too short to redeem? Have I too little power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into desert, their fish rot for lack of water and they die of thirst;

Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.

Commentary

Isaiah 50:2 is a powerful declaration from God, likely spoken through the prophet Isaiah, challenging the people of Israel regarding their lack of faith and response, while simultaneously reaffirming His boundless power to redeem and deliver.

Context

This verse is situated within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah (chapters 42, 49, 50, 52-53), which primarily speak of the Suffering Servant, often interpreted as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. However, in Isaiah 50:2, the voice shifts to God Himself, asserting His divine authority and addressing the faithlessness of His people, who were facing exile or hardship. The questions posed reflect God's astonishment at their doubt, especially given His historical interventions and persistent outreach.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Human Unresponsiveness: God asks, "When I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer?" This highlights God's constant outreach to His people, who often failed to heed His voice or respond with faith and obedience. This theme of human rebellion despite divine overtures is common throughout the Old Testament, as seen in Jeremiah 7:13, where God speaks of calling but no one answering.
  • God's Unchanging Power to Redeem and Deliver: The rhetorical question, "Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?" emphatically asserts God's omnipotence. His power is not diminished; He remains fully capable of saving His people from any predicament. This reassuring truth about God's unfailing strength is also echoed in Isaiah 59:1, which states that the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save.
  • Historical Proof of God's Power: God immediately provides evidence of His might by referencing the miraculous drying of the sea and turning rivers into a wilderness. This is a direct allusion to the Exodus event and the parting of the Red Sea, a foundational miracle demonstrating God's absolute control over nature and His ability to deliver His people from bondage.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Is my hand shortened?" (Hebrew: הֲקָצֹר יָדִי - haqatsor yadi) is a powerful idiom in Hebrew, meaning "Is my power limited or diminished?" It emphasizes that God's capacity to act, save, or judge is never lessened. It's a profound statement of His unchanging, infinite strength, directly challenging any human doubt about His capabilities.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 50:2 serves as a vital reminder:

  • Respond to God's Call: God is always calling, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or circumstances. This verse challenges us to ensure we are not unresponsive to His voice and divine guidance.
  • Trust in God's Unfailing Power: When facing seemingly impossible situations, personal struggles, or global crises, this verse reassures us that God's hand is never "shortened." He retains all power to redeem, deliver, and transform. Our doubts often stem from forgetting His past demonstrations of power and His unchanging nature.
  • Remember His Past Works: Just as God reminded Israel of the Red Sea, we should reflect on God's past faithfulness and miraculous interventions in our own lives and in history. This builds confidence in His ability to act again, reinforcing our faith in His sovereignty.

This verse ultimately calls for faith and trust in a God whose power is limitless, even when human response is lacking, and who continues to demonstrate His might over all creation.

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

  • Isaiah 59:1 (13 votes)

    ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

  • Numbers 11:23 (12 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

  • Isaiah 66:4 (10 votes)

    I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.

  • Joshua 3:16 (9 votes)

    That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

  • Genesis 18:14 (8 votes)

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

  • Hosea 11:7 (7 votes)

    And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

  • Proverbs 1:24 (7 votes)

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;