Isaiah 50:2

1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

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.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

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

    Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 66:4

    I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 11:23

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

    Read in context
  • Joshua 3:16

    That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:14

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 1:24

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

    Read in context
  • Exodus 14:21

    And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 43:16

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

    Read in context