Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 44

Introduction

Isaiah 44:1-23

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see Guide to Good Bible Reading)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

Verses 1-5

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:1-5 1”But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, And Israel, whom I have chosen: 2Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you, 'Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; 4And they will spring up among the grass Like poplars by streams of water.' 5This one will say, 'I am the LORD's'; And that one will call on the name of Jacob; And another will write on his hand, 'Belonging to the LORD,' And will name Israel's name with honor.”

Isaiah 44:1 “listen” This is an IMPERATIVE (BDB 1033, KB 1570) which characterizes many oracles in Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 1:2, Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 6:10; Isaiah 7:13; Isaiah 28:14; Isaiah 32:9; Isaiah 33:13; Isaiah 34:1; Isaiah 36:13; Isaiah 39:5; Isaiah 42:18; Isaiah 46:3, Isaiah 46:12; Isaiah 47:8; Isaiah 48:1, Isaiah 48:12, Isaiah 48:14, Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 51:1, Isaiah 51:7, Isaiah 51:21; Isaiah 55:2, Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 59:1; Isaiah 66:5).

This word means “to hear so as to perform.” It became the name (the Shema) of the famous Jewish prayer in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

▣ “O Jacob, My servant” Notice the parellelism between lines 1 and 2. YHWH is addressing corporate Israel.

▣ “whom I have chosen” YHWH

1. chose Israel, Isaiah 44:1, Isaiah 44:2

2. made Israel, Isaiah 44:2

3. formed Israel, Isaiah 44:2

4. helped Israel, Isaiah 44:2

Isaiah 44:2 Notice the parallelism between lines 1 and 2.

1. “made you” - BDB 793, KB 889, Qal PARTICIPLE, line 1

2. “formed you” - BDB 427, KB 428, Qal PARTICIPLE, line 2

There are several Hebrew words used to describe YHWH's creative acts.

Isaiah 44:3 “Do not fear” This phrase (BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) is used often in chapters 40-66 (cf. Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13, Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:5; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 51:7; Isaiah 54:4, Isaiah 54:14; Isaiah 57:11). They were not to fear because

1. they were God's people

2. He was with them

3. their punishment was over

4. He would provide all they needed

▣ “Jeshurun” This (BDB 449) was a rare title for Israel meaning “the upright one” (cf. Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:5, Deuteronomy 33:26). It is parallel to “O Jacob My servant.”

Isaiah 44:3 “I will pour” This VERB (BDB 427, KB 428, Qal IMPERFECT) is often used in connection with anointings or sacrifices. In this verse it is repeated twice.

1. once for the miraculous water of abundance

2. once for the Spirit (cf. [1] Isaiah 32:15, different word [BDB 788]; [2] Joel 2:28, different word [BDB 1049])

YHWH is the source of blessings and for desert people water was the symbol of life and abundance (cf. Isaiah 44:4).

▣ “on your offspring” Blessings, like curses, moved through families (cf. Deuteronomy 5:9-10; Deuteronomy 7:9).

These future generations will know who they are in YHWH and rejoice in it (Isaiah 44:5).

Isaiah 44:5 The textual question is to whom this verse refers.

1. proud descendants of Abraham

2. foreigners who claim and extol Israel's God (cf. Isaiah 56:3-6)

The VERB “call” (BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal IMPERFECT) is translated

1. PASSIVE in the Aramaic Targums, “shall be called”

2. REFLEXIVE (Niphal) in the LXX and the Peshitta, “shall call himself”

3. ACTIVE in the Hebrew, “shall call on” (i.e., act of worship)

It seems to me from the context of the parallelism of lines 2 and 3 that it is talking about foreigners. If so, then this is one of those texts that assures non-Jews of access to the one true God! Not only is the servant a light to the nations, but a savior of the nations! Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled, as well as Isaiah 12:3!

Verses 6-8

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:6-8 6Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. 7Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, From the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming And the events that are going to take place. 8Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.”

Isaiah 44:6 Notice the titles for God in this context (similar to Isaiah 43:3, Isaiah 43:15).

1. the LORD (YHWH)

2. the King of Israel

3. Redeemer (BDB 145 I, cf. Isaiah 41:14)

4. the LORD of hosts

5. I am the first and I am the last (cf. Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17; Revelation 22:13)

6. God (Elohim)

7. Rock, Isaiah 44:8 (cf. Isaiah 17:10; Isaiah 26:4; Isaiah 30:29; Psalms 18:2)

See Special Topic: NAMES FOR DEITY.

These titles emphasize the uniqueness, eternality, faithfulness, and power of Israel's God.

▣ “there is no God besides Me” This is an affirmation of uniqueness and monotheism. See Special Topic: Monotheism. This is a recurrent theme in Isaiah.

Isaiah 44:7 “Let him proclaim and declare it” This is an allusion to the court scene again. YHWH is challenging the idols to prove their existence and power but they cannot (cf. Isaiah 41:21-24). They cannot predict the future.

Notice the number of commands addressed to the false gods (idols of the nations).

1. proclaim - BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

2. declare - BDB 616, KB 615, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

3. recount - BDB 789, KB 884, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

4. declare - same as #2

Isaiah 44:8 In light of the impotence of the false gods of the nations, Israel is not to

1. tremble - BDB 808, KB 922, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

2. fear - BDB 923, KB 437 (רהה), Qal IMPERFECT (NEGATED) used in a JUSSIVE sense (different root from Isaiah 44:2 (ירה) BDB 431, KB 432)

▣ “you are My witnesses” YHWH had a specific revelatory purpose for His servants/servant.

▣ “I know of none” YHWH answers His own question. The VERB is Qal PERFECT; there is no other god or gods, only Him (see Special Topic: Monotheism).

Verses 9-11

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:9-11 9Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. 10Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? 11Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame.

Isaiah 44:9-20 This is a prose section dealing with the folly of idolatry (cf. Jeremiah 10:2-16).

Isaiah 44:9

NASB“futile” NKJV“useless” NRSV“nothing” TEV“worthless” NJB“nothingness”

This is the Hebrew word (BDB 1062) translated “formless” in Genesis 1:2; “desolation” in Isaiah 34:11; and “emptiness” in Isaiah 41:29. Here it denotes unreality.

Isaiah 44:11 There is a series of IMPERFECTS used as JUSSIVES describing the idol maker and worshiper.

1. let them assemble - BDB 867, KB 1062, Hithpael IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

2. let them stand up - BDB 763, KB 840, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

3. let them tremble - BDB 808, KB 922, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

4. let them be put to shame - BDB 101, KB 116, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense

Verses 12-17

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:12-17 12The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. 13Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house. 14Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. 15Then it becomessomething for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. 16Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” 17But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”

Isaiah 44:14-20 This shows the folly of idolatry (cf. Jeremiah 10:2-16).

1. plants a tree

2. cut it for

a. warmth

b. cooking food

c. making a god

3. falls down in worship before a helpless god, the remainder of a cut log. He asks the log to help him, save him!

4. the maker forgets all this preparation because he has deceived himself (Isaiah 44:20)

Verses 18-20

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:18-20 18They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. 19No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!” 20He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Isaiah 44:18 Is the unbelief and superstition a result of

1. the Fall

2. YHWH's hand?

The OT relates all causality to God (i.e., Pharaoh, also note Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 29:10), but still humans are responsible for their acts. This is the mystery of God's sovereignty and humanity's free will (i.e., necessary human acts for God's forgiveness, cf. Isaiah 55:7). Maybe Psalms 81:12 sums it up best (cf. Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28).

SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION/PREDESTINATION AND THE NEED FOR A THEOLOGICAL BALANCE

Isaiah 44:19 “an abomination” See Special Topic: Abomination.

Verses 21-23

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:21-23 21”Remember these things, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant, O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me. 22I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud And your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” 23Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; For the LORD has redeemed Jacob And in Israel He shows forth His glory.

Isaiah 44:21-23 In light of the false witness of idolatry, the true witness of YHWH's people is crucial! They are commanded to

1. remember, Isaiah 44:21 - BDB 269, KB 269, Qal IMPERATIVE

2. return, Isaiah 44:22 - BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE

YHWH's creation is also to witness

3. shout for joy, O heavens, Isaiah 44:23 - BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal IMPERATIVE

4. shout joyfully O depths of the earth, Isaiah 44:23 - BDB 929, KB 1206, Hiphil IMPERATIVE

5. break forth with a shout of joy you mountains and forests, Isaiah 44:23 - BDB 822 KB 953, Qal IMPERATIVE

It is ironic that the idol makers burn and form the trees, but the trees rejoice over YHWH's redemption and Israel's witness to His glory.

Isaiah 44:21

NASB, NKJV, NRSV“you will not be forgotten by Me” REB, LXX, Peshitta, JPSOA“never forget me”

The difference is in vocalization only. The UBS Text Project gives option #1 (NASB) a “C” rating (considerable doubt).

Isaiah 44:22 This is another tremendous promise of complete forgiveness. The VERB “wipe out” (BDB 562, KB 567, Qal PERFECT) is also used in Isaiah 43:25; Psalms 51:1, Psalms 51:2, Psalms 51:9. When God forgives, God forgets (cf. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 38:17; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22; Micah 7:19).

The bases for this complete blotting out of our transgressions are

1. YHWH's redemption

2. a believer's repentance

SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 44:23

NASB, NKJV“lower parts of the earth” NRSV, JPSOA“depths of the earth” TEV“deep places of the earth” NJB“underworld” LXX, PESHITTA“foundations of the earth”

This apparently refers to Sheol (BDB 982).

SPECIAL TOPIC: Where Are the Dead?

Verses 24-28

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 44:24-28 24Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone, 25Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness, 26Confirming the word of His servant And performing the purpose of His messengers. It is I who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited!' And of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built.' And I will raise up her ruins again. 27It is I who says to the depth of the sea, 'Be dried up!' And I will make your rivers dry. 28It is I who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' And of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'“

Isaiah 44:24-28 This is one sentence in Hebrew. It is a series of relative clauses which are translated by the NIV as “who. . .” It is significant that this is a structured unit because the climax is found in the mention of Cyrus by name in Isaiah 44:28. It is basically a unit dealing with “the God who can” versus the idols who cannot. YHWH announces beforehand what will occur to prove His existence and power (cf. Isaiah 41:22-23; Isaiah 44:7, Isaiah 44:26).

Notice the list of “who. . .” in NIV (i.e., Qal PARTICIPLES).

1. who formed you in the womb, Isaiah 44:24

2. who has made all things, Isaiah 44:24

3. who alone stretched out the heavens, Isaiah 44:24

4. who spread out the earth by Myself, Isaiah 44:24

5. who foils the signs of false prophets, Isaiah 44:25

6. who overthrows the learning of the wise, Isaiah 44:25

7. who carries out the words of his servants, Isaiah 44:26

8. who says of Jerusalem, “it shall be inhabited,” Isaiah 44:26

9. who says to the watery deep, “Be dry,” Isaiah 44:27

10. who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd,” Isaiah 44:28

Isaiah 44:24 Redeemer” This is the term Go'el, which has the same definition as “ransom” with the added idea of a near kinsman as the agent. It is often a title for God; it is used in this personal sense to reveal God's character. See Special Topic: Ransom/Redeem.

▣ “the one who formed you from the womb” This primarily refers to the formation of the nation of Israel (cf. Isaiah 45:2). It is used uniquely of the Exodus experience. This concept of birthing also lends itself to the concept of the people of God as the children of God.

▣ “I, the LORD, am. . .” This is literally the phrase, “I am YHWH,” which is a key phrase in the OT. It is a play on the covenant name for God, from the VERB “to be” (cf. Exodus 3:14). Its basic meaning is “I am the ever-existing, only-existing God.” See Special Topic: Names for Deity.

▣ “maker of all things” This is the emphasis of God as both Creator and Redeemer (cf. Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 45:18).

▣ “Stretching out the heavens by Myself” Here again is God as Creator. This phraseology is used in Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 45:18; Isaiah 51:13. See , see Special Topic: The Heavens and the Third Heaven.

▣ “spreading out the earth all alone” The English “all alone” (qere, NEB) is literally a rhetorical question, “Who was with Me?” (ketiv, DSS, LXX, NRSV). This is an emphasis, like the phrase above, “by Myself,” on God's unique position. He is the one and only Creator God (cf. Job 38:4ff). See Special Topic: MONOTHEISM.

Isaiah 44:25 “omens. . .diviners. . .wise men” This verse is an exposure of the occult practices of the surrounding nations, particularly Babylon. It is a foil for God to discuss His true prophets in Isa. 45:26. Biblically, the way to determine a true prophet is found in Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Deuteronomy 18:22. The false prophets and the true prophets are going to be contrasted in order to reveal that God is the only God.

It is possible that the Hebrew word “boasters” can mean

1. liars, vain talkers (BDB 95 III)

2. soothsayers, from an Akkadian root (AB, vol. 20, p. 72), which would make it parallel to “diviners” (line 2). Note how similar the Hebrew words are.

#1 בדים to #2 ברים

The Barim priests of Babylon were known for their predictions (Leupold, p. 133).

Isaiah 44:26 “Confirming the word of His servant” God is in control of history. His forth-telling of future events is one way to prove to all mankind that God is the only Creator, Redeemer God (cf. Isaiah 41:22-23; Isaiah 45:7,26). Throughout this section of Isaiah prophecy is used as a means of God demonstrating His ability over against the inability of the occult practices to determine future events.

The words “servant” (BDB 712) and “messenger” (BDB 521) are parallel. The first is SINGULAR and the second PLURAL. Is this meant to refer to

1. the Servant

2. the prophets

or are both to be understood as the prophet? Thereby, “servant” would be a way to characterize all prophets.

This verse may be an allusion to Isaiah 2:2-4 or Micah 4:1-4.

▣ “It is I who says of Jerusalem, 'she shall be inhabited'“ This is a very specific prophecy of not only the restoration of Jerusalem but also of the cities of Judah (cf. Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3).

Isaiah 44:27 There has been much discussion on the meaning of this verse. These are the theories:

1. YHWH controls the waters of chaos (cf. Genesis 1:0; Psalms 74:12-17; Isaiah 51:10).

2. It is a reference to God's splitting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River and, therefore, is a reference to the Exodus.

3. It shows that God can overcome any barrier and is used in the sense of God drying up or overcoming the Euphrates River (i.e., note Isaiah 11:15-16) so that Cyrus can defeat Babylon.

4. This is used in some sense that God is the controller of moisture which proves that he is the fertility God and not Ba'al.

Isaiah 44:28 “It is I who says of Cyrus” Cyrus is mentioned by name for the first time in this context. He is also mentioned by name in Isaiah 45:1. Josephus, in his book, Antiquities of the Jews, 11.1.2, says that Jewish tradition believes that prophecies were shown to Cyrus and that he allowed the Jews to return to Judah. We also learn that Cyrus was impressed by these prophecies in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23.

▣ “He is My shepherd” This term primarily speaks of a leader or administrator. There are two very strong kingly terms used here, “shepherd” (BDB 944 I) in Isaiah 44:28 and “anointed one” (BDB 603) in Isaiah 45:1. Both of these terms show that God will use Cyrus to accomplish His purposes. This does not imply that Cyrus became a believer (cf. Isaiah 45:5c), but that God uses human instrumentality in order to accomplish His purposes (i.e., Exodus 3:7-10).

▣ “Your foundation will be laid” The fulfillment of this prophecy, related to both the city of Jerusalem and the temple, is found in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Haggai.