Isaiah 50:2

1 This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”

4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

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
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
KJV
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
WEB
Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness. Their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst.
ASV
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
DARBY
Wherefore did I come, and there was no man? I called, and there was none to answer? Is my hand at all shortened that I cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make rivers a wilderness; their fish stink because there is no water, and die for thirst.
BLB
Why, did I come, and [there was] no man? [Why] did I call, and there was no one answering? [Is] My hand too short to redeem? Or is there not in Me power to deliver? Behold, by My rebuke I dry up the sea; I make the rivers a desert—their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.
ÅB
Hvorfor var det ingen til stede da jeg kom? Hvorfor var det ingen som svarte da jeg ropte? Er min hånd for kort til å forløse, eller er det ingen kraft hos meg til å frelse? Se, ved min trusel tørker jeg ut havet, gjør jeg elver til en ørk, så fiskene i dem stinker, fordi der intet vann er, og dør av tørst;
OTB
Hvorfor var det ingen der når jeg kom? Når jeg kalte, hvorfor svarte ingen? Er min arm for kort til å forløse? Mangler jeg kraft til å redde? Ved min irettesettelse tørker jeg opp havet, gjør elver til en ørken; deres fisk råtner av mangel på vann og dør av tørst.
B1930
Hvorfor var det ingen til stede da jeg kom? Hvorfor var det ingen som svarte da jeg ropte? Er min hånd for kort til å forløse, eller er det ingen kraft hos mig til å frelse? Se, ved min trusel tørker jeg ut havet, gjør jeg elver til en ørk, så fiskene i dem stinker, fordi der intet vann er, og dør av tørst;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 59:1

    Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 66:4

    So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

    Read in context
  • Numbers 11:23

    The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

    Read in context
  • Joshua 3:16

    the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:14

    Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 1:24

    Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,

    Read in context
  • Exodus 14:21

    Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 43:16

    Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,

    Read in context