Isaiah 48:5

3 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.

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.’

6 You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.

7 They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot claim, ‘I already knew them!’

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
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.’
KJV
I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
WEB
therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them. My engraved image and my molten image has commanded them.’
ASV
therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
DARBY
so I have long ago declared [them] to thee; before they came to pass I caused thee to hear [them]; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, or my molten image hath commanded them.
BLB
and I declared to you from then, before it came to pass; I informed you, lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my carved image and my molten image has commanded them!’
ÅB
så forkynte jeg deg det for lenge siden; før det kom, kunngjorde jeg det for deg, for at du ikke skulle si: Mitt gudebilde har gjort det, mitt utskårne bilde og mitt støpte bilde har styrt det så.
OTB
Derfor fortalte Jeg deg disse tingene for lenge siden; før de skjedde kunngjorde Jeg dem for deg, så du ikke kunne si, 'Mitt idol gjorde dem; mitt utskårne bilde og mitt støpte metallbilde bestemte dem.'
B1930
så forkynte jeg dig det for lenge siden; før det kom, kunngjorde jeg det for dig, forat du ikke skulde si: Mitt gudebillede har gjort det, mitt utskårne billede og mitt støpte billede har styrt det så.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 48:3

    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.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:70

    as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

    Read in context
  • Acts 15:18

    that have been known for ages.’

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 44:15–18

    Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by—a great assembly—along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah,

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 46:10

    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
  • Isaiah 44:7

    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 42:8–9

    I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

    Read in context