Isaiah 48:3

God's word

¹ “Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—

² who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.

I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

⁴ For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.

⁵ Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’

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 foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
KJV: I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
WEB: I have declared the former things from of old. Yes, they went out of my mouth, and I revealed them. I did them suddenly, and they happened.
ASV: I have declared the former things from of old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
DARBY: I have declared the former things long ago; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I caused them to be heard: I wrought suddenly, and they came to pass.
BLB: The former [things] of old I have declared, and from My mouth they went forth, and I caused them to be heard—I acted suddenly, and they came [to pass].

ÅB: De forrige ting[^2] har jeg for lenge siden forkynt, de gikk ut av min munn, og jeg kunngjorde dem; brått satte jeg dem i verk, og de kom.
OTB: Jeg erklærte de tidligere tingene for lenge siden; de kom ut av Min munn, og Jeg gjorde dem kjent. Plutselig handlet Jeg, og de skjedde.
B1930: De forrige ting har jeg for lenge siden forkynt, de gikk ut av min munn, og jeg kunngjorde dem; brått satte jeg dem i verk, og de kom. / < JES 46, 9. 10.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Read in context
Joshua 21:45
Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.
Read in context
Isaiah 41:22
“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.
Read in context
Isaiah 45:21
Speak up and present your case— yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.
Read in context
Isaiah 44:7–8
Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.
Read in context
Isaiah 46:9–10
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
Read in context
Isaiah 43:9
All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
Read in context
Joshua 23:14–15
Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.
Read in context