Isaiah 43

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 43

1¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

2When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

5Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7[Even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

8¶ Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

9Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.

10Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

11I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.

12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.

13Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he; and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

14¶ Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry [is] in the ships.

15I [am] the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

16Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

18Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

20The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

21This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

22¶ But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

23Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

24Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

25I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

26Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

27Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.

28Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The LORD assures Israel of His unwavering presence, protection, and redemption, declaring them His chosen people, created for His glory. He challenges other nations to present their gods, affirming Himself as the sole God and Saviour. Though Israel has sinned and wearied Him, God promises to blot out their transgressions for His own sake, while also recalling the consequences of their past unfaithfulness.

Medium Summary

The LORD reaffirms His covenant with Israel, declaring them His, redeemed and called by name. He promises His presence and protection through all trials, asserting His identity as the Holy One of Israel, their Saviour, who will gather them from all corners of the earth, for they are created for His glory. God then challenges all nations to present their gods, proclaiming Israel as His witnesses to His unique divinity and power, the only God and Saviour who acts decisively. He promises a new act of redemption, making a way in the wilderness, surpassing past wonders, and bringing forth rivers in the desert for His chosen people. However, God confronts Israel for their failure to call upon Him and their weariness in worship, accusing them of burdening Him with their sins. Despite their transgressions, He declares He will blot out their sins for His own sake, yet acknowledges their historical unfaithfulness which led to their reproaches.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with the LORD comforting Jacob and Israel, reminding them that He created and formed them, declaring them His own redeemed people. He assures them of His constant presence and protection through waters and fire, for He is the Holy One of Israel, their Saviour, who values them above all. God promises to gather His scattered people from every direction, emphasizing that they are called by His name and created for His glory. He then challenges all nations to a divine courtroom, urging them to present their witnesses or acknowledge His truth. The LORD identifies Israel as His chosen witnesses, tasked with knowing, believing, and understanding that He is the only God, without beginning or end, and the sole Saviour. He reiterates His unique power, declaring that none can deliver from His hand or hinder His work. The LORD, their Redeemer, then announces His intervention against Babylon for Israel's sake, recalling His past miraculous acts like parting the Red Sea. He instructs them not to dwell on former things, for He is about to perform a new, unprecedented act, creating a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to provide for His chosen people, who will honor Him and show forth His praise. Yet, the chapter shifts to a lament, as God confronts Israel for their spiritual apathy, noting their failure to call upon Him, their weariness of Him, and their neglect of proper sacrifices and offerings. He accuses them of burdening Him with their sins and iniquities. Despite this indictment, the LORD mercifully declares He will blot out their transgressions for His own sake and will not remember their sins. He invites them to plead their case but reminds them of their ancestral and leadership's sinfulness, which ultimately led to the profaning of their princes and Israel's curse and reproaches.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Redemption and OwnershipGod declares He has redeemed Israel and called them by name, affirming His ownership and their preciousness in His sight.
  • God's Presence and ProtectionThe LORD promises to be with Israel through trials, ensuring they will not be overwhelmed by waters or consumed by fire.
  • Israel as God's WitnessesGod designates Israel as His chosen witnesses to His unique identity as the only God and Saviour, challenging other nations to prove their deities.
  • The Only God and SaviourThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes that the LORD is the sole God, the Holy One of Israel, and the only Saviour, with no other god before or after Him.
  • New Act of DeliveranceGod promises to perform a "new thing," creating a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, surpassing His past mighty acts of deliverance.
  • Israel's Sin and God's ForgivenessGod confronts Israel for their spiritual weariness and sins, which have burdened Him, but mercifully promises to blot out their transgressions for His own sake.
  • Gathering of IsraelThe LORD declares His intent to gather His scattered people from all directions—east, west, north, and south—bringing His sons and daughters back.