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 contextIsaiah 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 contextNumbers 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 contextJoshua 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 contextGenesis 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 contextProverbs 1:24
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Read in contextExodus 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 contextIsaiah 43:16
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Read in context