We move from the grace declaration of chapter 43 into a chapter of extraordinary range: the promise of the Spirit poured out like water on dry ground (vv.1-5), the majestic 'I am the first and I am the last' declaration (v.6), the most extended and biting idol-satire in all of Scripture (vv.9-20), the tender assurance that God has swept away Israel's transgressions like a cloud (v.22), and the stunning conclusion where Cyrus is named by name as God's shepherd who will decree Jerusalem's rebuilding (v.28). The chapter pulses between tenderness and mockery, between the living God who creates and redeems and the absurdity of worshiping what your own hands have carved.
The idol-satire of vv.9-20 is the longest and most detailed in the Hebrew Bible. The prophet follows the process from tree to workshop to finished god with devastating irony: a man cuts down a tree, burns half for cooking his dinner, warms himself by the fire, and then carves the remaining half into a god before which he bows and prays 'Deliver me, for you are my god.' The absurdity is left to speak for itself. Verse 6 — 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God' — is one of the most important monotheistic declarations in Scripture, echoed in Revelation 1:17, 2:8, and 22:13. Verse 28 names Cyrus over a century before his rise — the most dramatic prophetic naming in the Hebrew Bible.
The extended idol-satire requires careful rendering to maintain its rhetorical force without becoming cartoonish. The prophet's mockery is not crude but surgical — each detail is chosen to expose the logical absurdity of idolatry. We preserve the step-by-step narration. The naming of Cyrus (v.28) as God's 'shepherd' (ro'i) — a title usually reserved for Davidic kings — creates theological tension that the prophet does not resolve here. We render it straightforwardly and let the tension stand.
'I am the first and the last' (v.6) connects to 41:4 and is claimed by Christ in Revelation 1:17 and 22:13. The Spirit poured out (v.3) anticipates Joel 2:28-29 and Pentecost (Acts 2). The idol-satire connects to Psalm 115:4-8, Jeremiah 10:1-16, and Paul's argument in Romans 1:22-23. 'I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud' (v.22) parallels 43:25. Cyrus as 'shepherd' (v.28) stands in tension with the Davidic shepherd tradition (Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23) and will be further developed in 45:1 where Cyrus is called God's 'anointed' (mashiach). **Tradition comparisons:** The Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaiah-a) preserve this chapter with notable variants: Verse 3: the promise 'I will pour my spirit upon your seed' is identical in both texts. Verse 9: minor variant in the idol-makers description. Verse 23: the scroll reads 'Sing, O heavens' identically. Verse 28: Cyrus named as shepherd — identical in both traditions.. See the [DSS Isaiah comparison](/dss-isaiah/44).
וְעַתָּ֥ה שְׁמַ֖ע יַעֲקֹ֣ב עַבְדִּ֑י וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּחַ֥רְתִּי בֽוֹ
But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!
KJV Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה עֹשֶׂ֔ךָ וְיֹצֶרְךָ֥ מִבֶּ֖טֶן יַעְזְרֶ֑ךָּ אַל־תִּירָא֙ עַבְדִּ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וִישֻׁר֖וּן בָּחַ֥רְתִּי בֽוֹ
This is what the LORD says — He who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
KJV Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
A poetic name for Israel found only here and in Deuteronomy 32:15, 33:5, 33:26; from yashar (upright), it is an endearment expressing what Israel is meant to be
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"Jeshurun"
Identical consonantal text. The affectionate name 'Jeshurun' for Israel is the same in both.
כִּ֤י אֶצָּק־מַ֙יִם֙ עַל־צָמֵ֔א וְנֹזְלִ֖ים עַל־יַבָּשָׁ֑ה אֶצֹּ֤ק רוּחִי֙ עַל־זַרְעֶ֔ךָ וּבִרְכָתִ֖י עַל־צֶאֱצָאֶֽיךָ
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
KJV For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Here ruach is clearly God's Spirit poured out on future generations — a promise that looks ahead to Joel 2:28-29 and Pentecost (Acts 2)
וְצָמְח֖וּ בְּבֵ֣ין חָצִ֑יר כַּעֲרָבִ֖ים עַל־יִבְלֵי־מָֽיִם
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
KJV And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
זֶ֤ה יֹאמַר֙ לַֽיהוָ֣ה אָ֔נִי וְזֶ֖ה יִקְרָ֣א בְשֵׁם־יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְזֶ֗ה יִכְתֹּ֤ב יָדוֹ֙ לַיהוָ֔ה וּבְשֵׁ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יְכַנֶּֽה
This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and take the name of Israel.
KJV One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"shall call"
Identical consonantal text.
כֹּֽה־אָמַ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְגֹאֲל֖וֹ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת אֲנִ֤י רִאשׁוֹן֙ וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲר֔וֹן וּמִבַּלְעָדַ֖י אֵ֥ין אֱלֹהִֽים
This is what the LORD says — the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.
KJV Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
The fullest form of the self-declaration begun in 41:4; claimed by Christ in Revelation 1:17, 2:8, and 22:13 as Alpha and Omega
God as go'el — capitalized as Redeemer when applied to God; here paired with 'King of Israel' to combine sovereignty and kinship
וּמִֽי־כָמ֣וֹנִי יִקְרָ֗א וְיַגִּידֶ֤הָ וְיַעְרְכֶ֙הָ֙ לִ֔י מִשּׂוּמִ֖י עַם־עוֹלָ֑ם וְאֹתִיּ֛וֹת וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּבֹ֖אנָה יַגִּ֥ידוּ לָֽמוֹ
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
KJV And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
אַֽל־תִּפְחֲד֣וּ וְאַל־תִּרְה֗וּ הֲלֹ֤א מֵאָז֙ הִשְׁמַעְתִּ֣יךָ וְהִגַּ֔דְתִּי וְאַתֶּ֖ם עֵדָ֑י הֲיֵ֤שׁ אֱל֙וֹהַּ֙ מִבַּלְעָדַ֔י וְאֵ֥ין צ֖וּר בַּל־יָדָֽעְתִּי
Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.
KJV Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
A divine title (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4, 'the Rock, his work is perfect'); here God denies the existence of any other Rock — any other refuge or foundation
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"is there?"
Identical. The rhetorical question 'Is there a God besides me?' is the same in both texts.
יֹצְרֵ֤י פֶ֙סֶל֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם תֹּ֔הוּ וַחֲמוּדֵיהֶ֖ם בַּל־יוֹעִ֑ילוּ וְעֵדֵיהֶ֣ם הֵ֗מָּה בַּל־יִרְא֛וּ וּבַל־יֵדְע֖וּ לְמַ֥עַן יֵבֹֽשׁוּ
All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.
KJV They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)moderate
"the makers of"
1QIsaiah-a uses plene spelling with vav. The harsh polemic against idol-makers — 'they are all nothing' — begins here identically in both traditions.
מִֽי־יָצַ֥ר אֵ֖ל וּפֶ֣סֶל נָסָ֑ךְ לְבִלְתִּ֖י הוֹעִֽיל
Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?
KJV Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
הֵ֤ן כָּל־חֲבֵרָיו֙ יֵבֹ֔שׁוּ וְחָרָשִׁ֥ים הֵ֖מָּה מֵֽאָדָ֑ם יִֽתְקַבְּצ֤וּ כֻלָּם֙ יַעֲמֹ֔דוּ יִפְחֲד֖וּ יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ יָֽחַד
Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth; they shall be terrified and put to shame together.
KJV Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
חָרַ֤שׁ בַּרְזֶל֙ מַֽעֲצָ֔ד וּפָעַל֙ בַּפֶּחָ֔ם וּבַמַּקָּב֖וֹת יִצְּרֵ֑הוּ וַיִּפְעָלֵ֙הוּ֙ בִּזְר֣וֹעַ כֹּח֔וֹ גַּם־רָעֵב֙ וְאֵ֣ין כֹּ֔חַ לֹא־שָׁ֥תָה מַ֖יִם וַיִּיעָֽף
The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.
KJV The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"the craftsman"
Identical consonantal text.
חָרַ֣שׁ עֵצִים֮ נָ֣טָה קָו֒ יְתָאֲרֵ֣הוּ בַשֶּׂ֔רֶד יַעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ בַּמַּקְצֻע֔וֹת וּבַמְּחוּגָ֖ה יְתָאֳרֵ֑הוּ וַיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ כְּתַבְנִ֣ית אִ֔ישׁ כְּתִפְאֶ֥רֶת אָדָ֖ם לָשֶׁ֥בֶת בָּֽיִת
The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.
KJV The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
לִכְרָת־ל֣וֹ אֲרָזִ֔ים וַיִּקַּ֤ח תִּרְזָה֙ וְאַלּ֔וֹן וַיְאַמֶּץ־ל֖וֹ בַּעֲצֵי־יָ֑עַר נָטַ֥ע אֹ֖רֶן וְגֶ֥שֶׁם יְגַדֵּֽל
He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
KJV He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
וְהָיָ֤ה לְאָדָם֙ לְבָעֵ֔ר וַיִּקַּ֤ח מֵהֶם֙ וַיָּ֔חָם אַף־יַשִּׂ֖יק וְאָ֣פָה לָ֑חֶם אַף־יִפְעַל־אֵל֙ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ עָשָׂ֥הוּ פֶ֖סֶל וַיִּסְגָּד־לָֽמוֹ
Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it.
KJV Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
חֶצְיוֹ֙ שָׂרַ֣ף בְּמוֹ־אֵ֔שׁ עַל־חֶצְי֖וֹ בָּשָׂ֣ר יֹאכֵ֑ל יִצְלֶ֤ה צָלִי֙ וְיִשְׂבָּ֔ע אַ֤ף יָחֹם֙ וְיֹאמַ֔ר הֶאָ֛ח חַמּוֹתִ֖י רָאִ֥יתִי אֽוּר
Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, 'Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!'
KJV He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
וּשְׁאֵ֣רִית֔וֹ לְאֵ֥ל עָשָׂ֖ה לְפִסְל֑וֹ יִסְגָּד־לוֹ֙ וְיִשְׁתַּ֔חוּ וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל אֵלָיו֙ וְיֹאמַ֔ר הַצִּילֵ֖נִי כִּ֥י אֵלִ֖י אָֽתָּה
And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol; and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, 'Deliver me, for you are my god!'
KJV And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
לֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּ וְלֹ֣א יָבִ֑ינוּ כִּ֣י טַ֤ח מֵֽרְאוֹת֙ עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם מֵהַשְׂכִּ֖יל לִבֹּתָֽם
They know not, nor do they discern, for their eyes are shut so that they cannot see, and their hearts so that they cannot understand.
KJV They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"smeared over"
1QIsaiah-a adds vav mater lectionis. Same word — their eyes are 'smeared over' so they cannot see.
וְלֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־לִבּ֗וֹ וְלֹ֤א דַ֙עַת֙ וְלֹ֣א תְבוּנָ֣ה לֵאמֹ֔ר חֶצְיוֹ֙ שָׂרַ֣פְתִּי בְמוֹ־אֵ֔שׁ וְאַ֤ף אָפִ֙יתִי֙ עַל־גֶּחָלָ֣יו לֶ֔חֶם אֶצְלֶ֥ה בָשָׂ֖ר וְאֹכֵ֑ל וְיִתְרוֹ֙ לְתוֹעֵבָ֣ה אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה לְב֥וּל עֵ֖ץ אֶסְגּֽוֹד
No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, 'Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and ate. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?'
KJV And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
רֹעֶ֣ה אֵ֔פֶר לֵ֥ב הוּתַ֖ל הִטָּ֑הוּ וְלֹֽא־יַצִּ֤יל אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ וְלֹ֣א יֹאמַ֔ר הֲל֥וֹא שֶׁ֖קֶר בִּימִינִֽי
He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'
KJV He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
זְכָר־אֵ֣לֶּה יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כִּ֣י עַבְדִּי־אָ֑תָּה יְצַרְתִּ֤יךָ עֶֽבֶד־לִי֙ אַ֔תָּה יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹ֥א תִנָּשֵֽׁנִי
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
KJV Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
מָחִ֤יתִי כָעָב֙ פְּשָׁעֶ֔יךָ וְכֶעָנָ֖ן חַטֹּאתֶ֑יךָ שׁוּבָ֥ה אֵלַ֖י כִּ֥י גְאַלְתִּֽיךָ
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
KJV I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
The same root as mocheh in 43:25; God annihilates the record of sin as completely as the sun dissolves morning fog
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"I have blotted out"
Identical consonantal text.
רָנּ֤וּ שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה הָרִ֖יעוּ תַּחְתִּיּ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ פִּצְח֨וּ הָרִ֜ים רִנָּ֗ה יַ֙עַר֙ וְכָל־עֵ֣ץ בּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־גָאַ֤ל יְהוָה֙ יַעֲקֹ֔ב וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִתְפָּאָֽר
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, O depths of the earth! Break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
KJV Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ גֹּאֲלֶ֔ךָ וְיֹצֶרְךָ֖ מִבָּ֑טֶן אָנֹכִ֤י יְהוָה֙ עֹ֣שֶׂה כֹ֔ל נֹטֶ֤ה שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ לְבַדִּ֔י רֹקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ מֵאִתִּֽי
This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself —
KJV Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
מֵפֵר֙ אֹת֣וֹת בַּדִּ֔ים וְקֹסְמִ֖ים יְהוֹלֵ֑ל מֵשִׁ֧יב חֲכָמִ֛ים אָח֖וֹר וְדַעְתָּ֥ם יְשַׂכֵּֽל
who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish;
KJV That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
מֵקִים֙ דְּבַ֣ר עַבְדּ֔וֹ וַעֲצַ֥ת מַלְאָכָ֖יו יַשְׁלִ֑ים הָאֹמֵ֨ר לִירוּשָׁלַ֜͏ִם תּוּשָׁ֗ב וּלְעָרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ תִּבָּנֶ֔ינָה וְחָרְבוֹתֶ֖יהָ אֲקוֹמֵֽם
who confirms the word of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins';
KJV That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
הָאֹמֵ֥ר לַצּוּלָ֖ה חֳרָ֑בִי וְנַהֲרֹתַ֖יִךְ אוֹבִֽישׁ
who says to the deep, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers';
KJV That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
הָאֹמֵ֤ר לְכ֙וֹרֶשׁ֙ רֹעִ֔י וְכָל־חֶפְצִ֖י יַשְׁלִ֑ם וְלֵאמֹ֤ר לִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ תִּבָּנֶ֔ה וְהֵיכָ֖ל תִּוָּסֵֽד
who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'
KJV That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Named here over a century before his rise; called 'my shepherd' and in 45:1 will be called 'my anointed' (mashiach) — extraordinary titles for a non-Israelite ruler
The shepherd title for rulers is common in the ancient Near East, but applied by God to a pagan king it signals that Cyrus serves God's purposes for Israel
Dead Sea Scrolls (1QIsaᵃ, 125 BCE)minor
"my shepherd"
The remarkable declaration naming Cyrus as God's 'shepherd' (ro'i) is identical in both texts. This is the first mention of Cyrus by name in Isaiah, and the scroll confirms the MT reading exactly.