The Meaning of Isaiah 54:16 Explained

Isaiah 54:16

KJV: Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

YLT: Lo, I -- I have prepared an artisan, Blowing on a fire of coals, And bringing out an instrument for his work, And I have prepared a destroyer to destroy.

Darby: Behold, it is I who have created the smith that bloweth in the fire of coal, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the destroyer to ravage.

ASV: Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold, I have created  the smith  that bloweth  the coals  in the fire,  and that bringeth forth  an instrument  for his work;  and I have created  the waster  to destroy. 

What does Isaiah 54:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Whatever happens to the redeemed in that era would be by the will of God, who not only raises up destroyers to destroy, and provides the weapons that they use, but creates the blacksmiths who make the weapons. All that the people of God would experience would be part of God"s good intention and design for them.
"This verse is very instructive for the study of divine providence. It teaches that nothing occurs, not even the destroying acts of the enemies of God"s people, apart from God Himself. At the same time we are not to blame Him for the evil that men do (cf. the express statement of the previous verse), but in His secret providence God governs the efforts and actions of men and employs them as the instruments of His anger." [1]

Context Summary

Isaiah 54:1-17 - The Wondrous Love Of God
We have heard the exiles summoned to leave Babylon, and have beheld the Savior becoming the sin-bearer. Here our attention is recalled to the still desolate condition of Jerusalem. See Nehemiah 1:3; Nehemiah 2:3; Nehemiah 2:13-17. Jehovah says, Sing, but Israel replies that she cannot sing so long as she lies desolate. In reply God declares His inalienable love: He is their husband still and has sworn that the waters of death and destruction shall never be able to separate them from Himself. The kindness of His mercy is everlasting, and His covenant of peace shall outlast the mountains and hills.
In the closing paragraph, Isaiah 54:11-17, we behold the chosen city emerging from her heap of ruins. Watched by the eye of the great Architect, wrought by unseen hands, tested by the line and plummet of righteousness, she arises to fulfill her mission to the world. To inspired hearts it seems as though her common stones are jewels. Her children are taught of the Lord. Every accusing voice is hushed. All weapons of destruction are impotent. The New Jerusalem seems to have come down from heaven. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 54

1  The prophet, to comfort the Gentiles, prophesies the amplitude of their church
4  Their safety
6  Their certain deliverance out of affliction
11  Their fair edification
15  And their sure preservation

What do the individual words in Isaiah 54:16 mean?

- Behold I have created the blacksmith who blows in the fire the coals and who brings forth an instrument for his work and I the spoiler to destroy
[הן] (הִנֵּ֤ה) אָֽנֹכִי֙ בָּרָ֣אתִי חָרָ֔שׁ נֹפֵ֙חַ֙ בְּאֵ֣שׁ פֶּחָ֔ם וּמוֹצִ֥יא כְלִ֖י לְמַעֲשֵׂ֑הוּ וְאָנֹכִ֛י מַשְׁחִ֖ית לְחַבֵּֽל

[הן]  - 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֵבֶה  
Sense: reed, papyrus.
(הִנֵּ֤ה)  Behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הֵן  
Sense: behold, lo, though hypothetical part.
בָּרָ֣אתִי  have  created 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: בָּרָא 
Sense: to create, shape, form.
חָרָ֔שׁ  the  blacksmith 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶרֶשׁ 
Sense: craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer.
נֹפֵ֙חַ֙  who  blows 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָפַח  
Sense: to breathe, blow, sniff at, seethe, give up or lose (life).
בְּאֵ֣שׁ  in  the  fire 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, common singular
Root: אֵשׁ  
Sense: fire.
פֶּחָ֔ם  the  coals 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּחָם  
Sense: coal, charcoal, ember.
וּמוֹצִ֥יא  and  who  brings  forth 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
כְלִ֖י  an  instrument 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כְּלִי  
Sense: article, vessel, implement, utensil.
לְמַעֲשֵׂ֑הוּ  for  his  work 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
וְאָנֹכִ֛י  and  I 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אָנׄכִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
מַשְׁחִ֖ית  the  spoiler 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַת  
Sense: to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay.
לְחַבֵּֽל  to  destroy 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct
Root: חָבַל 
Sense: to bind.