Isaiah 41:25

Faith

²³ Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.

²⁴ Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.

I have raised up one from the north, and he has come— one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.

²⁶ Who has declared this from the beginning, so that we may know, and from times past, so that we may say: ‘He was right’? No one announced it, no one foretold it, no one heard your words.

²⁷ I was the first to tell Zion: ‘Look, here they are!’ And I gave to Jerusalem a herald of good news.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I have raised up one from the north, and he has come— one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.
KJV: I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
WEB: “I have raised up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name, and he shall come on rulers as on mortar, and as the potter treads clay.
ASV: I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.
DARBY: I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come, from the rising of the sun, he who will call upon my name; and he shall come upon princes as on mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.
BLB: I have roused one from the north, and he has come from the rising of the sun; he calls on My name, and he comes in against princes like [they were] mortar, and like the potter treads the clay.

ÅB: Jeg vakte ham fra Norden, og han kom, fra solens oppgang han som skal påkalle mitt navn; han skal trampe på fyrster som de var leire, lik en pottemaker som elter dynd.
OTB: "Jeg har vekket opp en fra nord, og han kommer; fra solens oppgang vil han kalle på mitt navn. Han vil trampe på herskere som om de var mørtel, som pottemakeren tråkker leire.
B1930: Jeg vakte ham fra Norden, og han kom, fra solens opgang han som skal påkalle mitt navn; han skal trampe på fyrster som de var ler, lik en pottemaker som elter dynd.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 41:2
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness ? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
Read in context
2 Samuel 22:43
I ground them as the dust of the earth; I crushed and trampled them like mud in the streets.
Read in context
Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.
Read in context
Isaiah 46:10–11
I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Read in context
Zechariah 10:5
They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
Read in context
Micah 7:10
Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame— she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.
Read in context
Isaiah 44:28–45:6
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”
Read in context
Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”
Read in context