Keraia
Isaiah 50

Isaiah 50:2

Israel’s Sin · Isaiah 50:1–3
Read Isaiah 50

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Why, did I come, and there was no man? Why did I call, and there was no one answering? Is My hand too short to redeem? Or is there not in Me power to deliver? Behold, by My rebuke I dry up the sea; I make the rivers a desert—their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
Latin
Quia veni, et non erat vir; vocavi, et non erat qui audiret. Numquid abbreviata et parvula facta est manus mea, ut non possim redimere? aut non est in me virtus ad liberandum? Ecce in increpatione mea desertum faciam mare, ponam flumina in siccum; computrescent pisces sine aqua, et morientur in siti.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Isaiah 50:2

  • Why did no one answer: The people did not respond to God's repeated call to trust him and repent of their sins. They were deaf and stubborn (see Isaiah 6:9–10; 29:18; 35:5; 42:18–19).

  • The Lord came and called the people through the prophets (see also Isaiah 65:1–3).

  • do I lack the strength to deliver you?: God could rescue Israel and Judah from the Assyrians and Babylonians, but he first had to address his people's sinfulness (see Isaiah 59:1).

  • My rebuke dries up the sea: This refers to the parting of the Red Sea during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:21–22).

Isaiah 50:1–3

This argument shows that God was not forced to abandon Israel. Therefore, he could choose to accept the nation back as his people if he wished.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Glossary

Church Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature

Topics

Doubting: General Scriptures Concerning Fishes: Cannot Live Without Water God: Power of God: Saviour God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Jesus, the Christ: Omnipotence of Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Redemption: Manifests The: Power of God Rivers: God's Power Over, Unlimited The Providence of God is Exercised in Ruling the Elements The Sea: God: Dries Up, by his Rebuke