Isaiah 41:1

God’s Help to Israel · Isaiah 41:1–20
Read Isaiah 41

Translations

Modern
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
Traditional
Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
Literal
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and the peoples will renew their strength; let them draw near, then let them speak; together let us come near for judgment.
Latin
Taceant ad me insulæ, et gentes mutent fortitudinem: accedant, et tunc loquantur; simul ad judicium propinquemus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.

Notes

  • The nations gathering for a trial must listen quietly to God's arguments.

  • Let them come forward and testify: Literally let them find new strength, which is a reference to Isaiah 40:31.

  • God invited the nations to come and speak, challenging them to counter his case.

The Lord invited the nations to a trial to show that he alone is God. They could not defend themselves as he announced that a king from the east (Isaiah 41:2) would defeat Babylon, allowing Israel to return.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Glossary

Book of Baruch Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature Ransom

Topics

Island: Prophecies Concerning