The Meaning of Isaiah 45:21 Explained

Isaiah 45:21

KJV: Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

YLT: Declare ye, and bring near, Yea, they take counsel together, Who hath proclaimed this from of old? From that time hath declared it? Is it not I -- Jehovah? And there is no other god besides Me, A God righteous and saving, there is none save Me.

Darby: Declare and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath caused this to be heard from ancient time? who hath declared it long ago? Is it not I, Jehovah? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour, there is none besides me.

ASV: Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Tell  ye, and bring [them] near;  yea, let them take counsel  together:  who hath declared  this from ancient time?  [who] hath told  it from that time? [have] not I the LORD?  and [there is] no God  else beside  me; a just  God  and a Saviour;  [there is] none  beside  me. 

What does Isaiah 45:21 Mean?

Verse Meaning

God challenged the idol-worshippers to consult together and to present a case in defense of their idols. Who was the challenger who claimed "this?" Evidently the prophecies about Cyrus are the "this" in view (cf. Isaiah 46:9-11)? He was Yahweh-the only true God-who does what is right and who saves.

Context Summary

Isaiah 45:14-25 - A Call To The Ends Of The Earth
As the prophet reviews God's method of delivering His people-so unexpected and so wonderful-he cannot restrain the ejaculation: Thou art a God that hidest thyself! "Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will." You do not see how God is going to save you; but most certainly His Angel will redeem you from all evil.
God contrasts Himself with idols, Isaiah 45:20. We can never seek His face in vain. They that trust in man or their own devices are doomed to disappointment; but faith and prayer make all the difference. He is "a just God and a Savior." This is the wonderful combination that the Cross reveals. See Romans 3:26; 1 John 1:9. Look to Him and be saved. Even if you dwell in a far land or at the ends of the earth, and even if you can only look toward Him with failing sight, remember that "there is life in a look." Dare to say, "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." You have none of your own! Your strength is weakness! Your righteousness is full of flaws! Look to Him; boast in Him; and men shall come to you for your secret. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 45

1  God calls Cyrus for his church's sake
5  By his omnipotence he challenges obedience
20  He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power

What do the individual words in Isaiah 45:21 mean?

Tell and bring forth [your case] Yes let them take counsel together who has declared this from ancient time from then [Who] has told it [Have] not I Yahweh and [there is] no other God besides Me a God just and a Savior [There is] none besides Me
הַגִּ֣ידוּ וְהַגִּ֔ישׁוּ אַ֥ף יִֽוָּעֲצ֖וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו מִ֣י הִשְׁמִיעַ֩ זֹ֨את ؟ מִקֶּ֜דֶם ؟ מֵאָ֣ז הִגִּידָ֗הּ הֲל֨וֹא אֲנִ֤י ؟ יְהוָה֙ וְאֵֽין־ ע֤וֹד אֱלֹהִים֙ מִבַּלְעָדַ֔י אֵֽל־ צַדִּ֣יק וּמוֹשִׁ֔יעַ אַ֖יִן זוּלָתִֽי

הַגִּ֣ידוּ  Tell 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
וְהַגִּ֔ישׁוּ  and  bring  forth  [your  case] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: נָגַשׁ  
Sense: to draw near, approach.
אַ֥ף  Yes 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אַף  
Sense: also, yea, though, so much the more adv.
יִֽוָּעֲצ֖וּ  let  them  take  counsel 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יׄועֵץ 
Sense: to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan.
יַחְדָּ֑ו  together 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.
הִשְׁמִיעַ֩  has  declared 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
זֹ֨את  this 
Parse: Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
؟ מִקֶּ֜דֶם  from  ancient  time 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶדֶם 
Sense: east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime.
؟ מֵאָ֣ז  from  then 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adverb
Root: אָז  
Sense: then, at that time.
הִגִּידָ֗הּ  [Who]  has  told  it 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
הֲל֨וֹא  [Have]  not 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
؟ יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וְאֵֽין־  and  [there  is]  no 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
ע֤וֹד  other 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עֹוד  
Sense: a going round, continuance adv.
אֱלֹהִים֙  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
מִבַּלְעָדַ֔י  besides  Me 
Parse: Preposition-m, first person common singular
Root: בַּלְעֲדֵי  
Sense: apart from, except, without, besides.
אֵֽל־  a  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
צַדִּ֣יק  just 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
וּמוֹשִׁ֔יעַ  and  a  Savior 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁע 
Sense: to save, be saved, be delivered.
אַ֖יִן  [There  is]  none 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
זוּלָתִֽי  besides  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: זוּלָה  
Sense: a removal, a putting away prep.