Isaiah 43
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The leading men, discrediting Jeremiah's prophecy, carry the people into Egypt, Jer 43:1-7. Jeremiah, by a type, foretells the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 43:8-13. This mode of conveying instruction by actions was very expressive, and frequently practiced by the prophets. The image of Nebuchadnezzar arraying himself with Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment, is very noble. Egypt at this time contended with Babylon for the empire of the east; yet this mighty kingdom, when God appoints the revolution, shifts its owner with as much ease as a shepherd removes his tent or garment, which the new proprietor has only to spread over him. See Jer 43:12.
Open source ↗A SUCCESSION OF ARGUMENTS WHEREIN ISRAEL MAY BE ASSURED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THEIR PERVERSITY TOWARDS GOD (Isa 42:25), HE WILL DELIVER AND RESTORE THEM. (Isa. 43:1-28) But now--notwithstanding God's past just judgments for Israel's sins. created--not only in the general sense, but specially created as a peculiar people unto Himself (Isa 43:7, Isa 43:15, Isa 43:21; Isa 44:2, Isa 44:21, Isa 44:24). So believers, "created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10), "a peculiar people" (Pe1 2:9). redeemed--a second argument why they should trust Him besides creation. The Hebrew means to ransom by a price paid in lieu of the captives (compare Isa 43:3). Babylon was to be the ransom in this case, that is, was to be destroyed, in order that they might be delivered; so Christ became a curse, doomed to death, that we might be redeemed. called . . . by . . . name--not merely "called" in general, as in Isa 42:6; Isa 48:12; Isa 51:2, but designated as His own peculiar people (compare Isa 45:3-4; Exo 32:1; Exo 33:12; Joh 10:3).
Open source ↗But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob,.... This prophecy is not concerning Cyrus, and the redemption of the Jews by him, as some have thought; nor of Sennacherib and his army, and of their deliverance from him, as Kimchi and his father interpret it; but of the Christian church, and the state of it, when Jerusalem should be destroyed, as predicted in the preceding chapter; which goes by the name of Jacob and Israel, for the first churches chiefly consisted of Jews, and both Jews and Gentiles converted are the spiritual Israel of God: and he that formed thee, O Israel; this creation and formation are not so much to be understood of their being the creatures of God, and the work of his hands, in a natural sense; but of their new creation and regeneration; of their being the spiritual workmanship of God, created in Christ, and formed for his glory: fear not: for I have redeemed thee: though Jerusalem shall be destroyed, and Judea wasted, and though subject to the persecutions of wicked men in all places; yet since redeemed by Christ from sin, Satan, and the law, hell, and death, nothing is to be feared from either of them; redemption by Christ is an antidote against the fear of any enemy whatsoever: I have called thee by thy name; with an effectual calling, which is of particular persons, and those by name, even the same that are redeemed by Christ; for whom he has redeemed by his precious blood, they are called by the grace of God to special blessings of grace, with a high, holy, and heavenly calling; and have no reason to fear anything, since they are the chosen of God; have a right to all spiritual blessings; all things work together for their good; they shall persevere to the end, and at last be brought to glory, to which they are called: thou art mine;…
Open source ↗The tone of the address is now suddenly changed. The sudden leap from reproach to consolation was very significant. It gave them to understand, that no meritorious work of their own would come in between what Israel was and what it was to be, but that it was God's free grace which came to meet it. "But now thus saith Jehovah thy Creator, O Jacob, and thy Former, O Israel! Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by name, thou art mine. When thou goest through the water, I am with thee; and through rivers, they shall not drown thee: when thou goest into fire, thou shalt not be burned; and the flame shall not set thee on fire." The punishment has now lasted quite long enough; and, as ועתּה affirms, the love which has hitherto retreated behind the wrath returns to its own prerogatives again. He who created and formed Israel, by giving Abraham the son of the promise, and caused the seventy of Jacob's family to grow up into a nation in Egypt, He also will shelter and preserve it. He bids it be of good cheer; for their early history is a pledge of this. The perfects after כּי in Isa 43:1 stand out against the promising futures in Isa 43:2, as retrospective glances: the expression "I have redeemed thee" pointing back to Israel's redemption out of Egypt; "I have called thee by thy name" (lit. I have called with thy name, i.e., called it out), to its call to be the peculiar people of Jehovah, who therefore speaks of it in Isa 48:12 as "My called." This help of the God of Israel will also continue to arm it against the destructive power of the most hostile elements, and rescue it from the midst of the greatest dangers, from which there is apparently no escape (cf., Psa 66:12; Dan 3:17, Dan 3:27; and Ges. 103, 2).
Open source ↗This chapter has a plain connexion with the close of the foregoing chapter, but a very surprising one. It was there said that Jacob and Israel would not walk in God's ways, and that when he corrected them for their disobedience they were stubborn and laid it not to heart; and now one would think it should have followed that God would utterly abandon and destroy them; but no, the next words are, But now, fear not, O Jacob! O Israel! I have redeemed thee, and thou art mine. Though many among them were untractable and incorrigible, yet God would continue his love and care for his people, and the body of that nation should still be reserved for mercy. God's goodness takes occasion from man's badness to appear so much the more illustrious. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Rom 5:20), and mercy rejoices against judgment, as having prevailed and carried the day, Jam 2:13. Now the sun, breaking out thus of a sudden from behind a thick and dark cloud, shines the brighter, and with a pleasing surprise. The expressions of God's favour and good-will to his people here are very high, and speak abundance of comfort to all the spiritual seed of upright Jacob and praying Israel; for to us is this gospel preached as well as unto those that were captives in Babylon, Heb 4:2. Here we have, I. The grounds of God's care and concern for his people and the interests of his church and kingdom among men. Jacob and Israel, though in a sinful miserable condition, shall be looked after; for, 1. They are God's workmanship, created by him unto good works, Eph 2:10. He has created them and formed them, not only given them a being, but this being, formed them into a people, constituted their government, and incorporated them by the charter of his covenant. The new creature, wherever it i…
Open source ↗43:1-7 In this promise of salvation, the Lord addressed his plundered people in the first person. 43:1 the Lord who created you: The language of creation (see study note on 40:28) was now applied to God’s formation of the nation Israel. • I have ransomed you: At the Exodus, when God brought his people out of bondage. Similarly, God planned to bring his people out of exile and back into their land. Ultimately, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for all humanity (Matt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6; Heb 9:15) • I have called you by name; you are mine: Despite having faced his wrath, the people of Israel are still God’s chosen people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּרָא (bârâʼ, H1254) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… שָׁטַף (shâṭaph, H7857) — to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בְּמוֹ (bᵉmôw, H1119) — in, with, by, etc. אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) כָּוָה (kâvâh, H3554) — properly, to prick or penetrate; hence, to blister (as smarting or eating into) לֶהָבָה (lehâbâh, H3852) — {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon} בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt כֹּפֶר (kôpher, H3724) — properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as… כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, H3568) — Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite סְבָא (Çᵉbâʼ, H5434) — Seba, a son of Cush, and the country settled by him
Open source ↗יָקַר (yâqar, H3365) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect מַעֲרָב (maʻărâb, H4628) — the west (as a region of the evening sun)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תֵּימָן (têymân, H8486) — the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east) כָּלָא (kâlâʼ, H3607) — to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗כֹּל (kôl, H3605) — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בָּרָא (bârâʼ, H1254) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עִוֵּר (ʻivvêr, H5787) — blind (literally or figuratively) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) חֵרֵשׁ (chêrêsh, H2795) — deaf (whether literally or spiritual) אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֵד (ʻêd, H5707) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince צָדַק (tsâdaq, H6663) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Open source ↗עֵד (ʻêd, H5707) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בִּלְעֲדֵי (bilʻădêy, H1107) — except, without, besides יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to…
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… עֵד (ʻêd, H5707) — concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… בָּרִיחַ (bârîyach, H1281) — a fugitive, i.e. the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… רִנָּה (rinnâh, H7440) — properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief) אֳנִיָּה (ʼŏnîyâh, H591) — a ship
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand test them like gold.They will call on My name,and I will answer them.I will say, ‘They are My people,’and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,
The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”