Isaiah 44:25
Isaiah 44:25 in Multiple Translations
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
that frustrateth the signs of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
Who makes the signs of those who give word of the future come to nothing, so that those who have knowledge of secret arts go off their heads; turning the wise men back, and making their knowledge foolish:
I am the one who proves the signs of false prophets are wrong. I am the one who makes fools of fortune-tellers. I turn the wisdom of the wise upside down, and make their knowledge ridiculous.
I destroy the tokens of ye southsayers, and make them that coniecture, fooles, and turne the wise men backwarde, and make their knowledge foolishnesse.
Making void the tokens of devisers, And diviners it maketh mad, Turning the wise backward, And their knowledge it maketh foolish.
who frustrates the signs of the liars, and makes diviners mad; who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish;
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
That make void the tokens of diviners, and make the soothsayers mad. That turn the wise backward, and that, make their knowledge foolish.
I show that the false prophets are liars, and I show that those who perform rituals to predict the future are fools. Some people who falsely think that they are [IRO] wise say that they know a lot, but I show that they are foolish.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 44:25
BAB
Word Study
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Isaiah 44:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֵפֵר֙
אֹת֣וֹת
בַּדִּ֔ים
וְ/קֹסְמִ֖ים
יְהוֹלֵ֑ל
מֵשִׁ֧יב
חֲכָמִ֛ים
אָח֖וֹר
וְ/דַעְתָּ֥/ם
יְשַׂכֵּֽל
מֵפֵר֙
pârar
H6565
to break
V-Hiphil
אֹת֣וֹת
ʼôwth
H226
sign
N-cp
בַּדִּ֔ים
bad
H907
bluster
N-mp
וְ/קֹסְמִ֖ים
qâçam
H7080
to divine
Conj | V-Qal
יְהוֹלֵ֑ל
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
מֵשִׁ֧יב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Hiphil
חֲכָמִ֛ים
châkâm
H2450
wise
Adj
אָח֖וֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
back
N-ms
וְ/דַעְתָּ֥/ם
daʻath
H1847
knowledge
Conj | N-fs | Suff
יְשַׂכֵּֽל
çâkal
H5528
be foolish
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 44:25
מֵפֵר֙
pârar
H6565
"to break"
V-Hiphil
To split or break something apart is the meaning of this word, often used figuratively to mean frustrate or violate. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to break, frustrate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to break, violate 1a2) to frustrate, make ineffectual 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be frustrated 1b2) to be broken 1b3) to break 1c) (Pilpel) to break to bits, shatter Also means: pur (פּוּר "to break" H6331)
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, break (asunder), cast off, cause to cease, [idiom] clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint, dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring (come) to nought, [idiom] utterly, make void. See also: Genesis 17:14; Psalms 85:5; Psalms 74:13.
אֹת֣וֹת
ʼôwth
H226
"sign"
N-cp
A miraculous sign or wonder, like a beacon or monument. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It means a signal or token of God's power.
Definition: : miraculous 1) sign, signal 1a) a distinguishing mark 1b) banner 1c) remembrance 1d) miraculous sign 1e) omen 1f) warning 2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. See also: Genesis 1:14; Joshua 2:12; Psalms 65:9.
בַּדִּ֔ים
bad
H907
"bluster"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for empty or false talk, like a lie or brag, is used to describe someone who speaks falsely. It appears in the Bible as a warning against dishonesty. In the KJV, it is translated as liar or lie.
Definition: empty talk, idle talk, liar, lie
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: liar, lie. See also: Job 11:3; Isaiah 44:25; Isaiah 16:6.
וְ/קֹסְמִ֖ים
qâçam
H7080
"to divine"
Conj | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to use magic or divination to predict the future, like Balaam did. It's often associated with false prophets and forbidden practices. This concept appears in various books, including Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to practice divination, divine 1a) of diviners of the nations, Balaam 1b) of false prophets of Israel 1c) prohibited
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: divine(-r, -ation), prudent, soothsayer, use (divination). See also: Deuteronomy 18:10; Ezekiel 13:9; Isaiah 3:2.
יְהוֹלֵ֑ל
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
מֵשִׁ֧יב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
חֲכָמִ֛ים
châkâm
H2450
"wise"
Adj
This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.
Definition: 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.
אָח֖וֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
"back"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the back or rear side of something. It can also refer to a location or direction, like the West. In Genesis, it describes the back of the Tabernacle.
Definition: 1) the back side, the rear 1a) backwards 1b) hereafter (of time) 1c) behind
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. See also: Genesis 49:17; Psalms 129:5; Psalms 9:4.
וְ/דַעְתָּ֥/ם
daʻath
H1847
"knowledge"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). See also: Genesis 2:9; Proverbs 14:7; Psalms 19:3.
יְשַׂכֵּֽל
çâkal
H5528
"be foolish"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to act foolishly or be silly, like in Proverbs 10:23, where it describes a fool's actions. It can also mean to make someone act foolishly. English Bibles often translate it as 'do foolishly' or 'play the fool'.
Definition: 1) to be foolish, be a fool 1a) (Piel) to make foolish, turn into foolishness 1b) (Niphal) to act or do foolishly 1c) (Hiphil) to do foolishly, play the fool
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: do (make, play the, turn into) fool(-ish, -ishly, -ishness). See also: Genesis 31:28; 2 Samuel 24:10; Isaiah 44:25.
Study Notes — Isaiah 44:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 44:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 44:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 44:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 44:25
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 44:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
- Sermons on Isaiah 44:25
Context — Jerusalem to Be Restored
23Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.
24Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,
25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
26who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’ 27who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 33:10 | The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. |
| 2 | Job 5:12–14 | He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 50:36 | A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 15:31 | Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” |
| 5 | Isaiah 47:12–14 | So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you— your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 51:57 | I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 1:20–27 | Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. |
| 8 | Isaiah 29:14 | Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden. ” |
| 9 | Isaiah 19:11–14 | The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray. The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit. |
| 10 | Daniel 5:6–8 | his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together. The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him. |
Isaiah 44:25 Summary
[Isaiah 44:25 tells us that God is all-powerful and can stop false prophets and their predictions from coming true, as we see in Deuteronomy 18:22. He also shows that trusting in human wisdom or occult practices is foolish, as stated in Isaiah 47:13-14. This means we should always trust in God's wisdom and plan, even when things don't make sense to us, and remember that His ways are higher than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:9. By trusting in God, we can have confidence that His plan will prevail, and we can find peace in His sovereignty.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'foil the signs of false prophets' in Isaiah 44:25?
This means that God will expose and render useless the false predictions and claims of those who falsely speak on His behalf, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:22, where a false prophet's words do not come to pass.
How does God 'make fools of diviners' according to Isaiah 44:25?
God makes fools of diviners by showing that their reliance on occult practices and human wisdom is vain and foolish, as stated in Isaiah 47:13-14, where such practices are unable to save those who trust in them.
What is the significance of God 'confounding the wise' in this verse?
This signifies that God's ways are not limited by human understanding or wisdom, and He can render the plans and knowledge of the wise as useless, as indicated in Isaiah 29:14 and 1 Corinthians 1:20.
Is this verse saying that all human knowledge is nonsense?
No, this verse is specifically talking about the knowledge and plans of those who oppose God or trust in their own wisdom above Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where trusting in God's wisdom is encouraged.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have you seen God 'foil the signs of false prophets' in your own life or in the world around you?
- How can you discern between true and false prophecy, and what role does God's Word play in this discernment?
- What are some areas in your life where you may be trusting in human wisdom or knowledge above God's, and how can you surrender these to Him?
- How does the fact that God 'confounds the wise' encourage you to trust in His sovereignty and plan, even when things don't make sense to you?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars,.... Struck dumb the oracles of the Heathens, disappointed their lying priests, and made void all the signs and tokens they gave the people, that such and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That frustrateth the tokens - prognostics; the pretended
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars; of the magicians, and astrologers, and sorcerers, who were numerous, and greatly employed and esteemed in Babylon, ,13 Da 2:2,48, and who had foretold the long continuance and prosperity of the Chaldean empire. But, saith God, I will confute their tokens or predictions, and prove them to be liars. And maketh diviners mad with grief for the disappointment of their hopes and predictions, and their disgrace and loss which followed it. That turneth wise men backward; stopping their way, thwarting and blasting their designs, so as they can proceed no further, but are forced to retreat and take new counsels, and giving them up to such counsels and courses as are foolish and pernicious to themselves.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
Isaiah 44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;Ver. 25. That frustrateth the tokens of the liars.] Their false prognostics of the long lastingness of the Babylonian empire, and therefore no likelihood of the Jews’ enlargement. And maketh diviners mad.] Diviners, the Latins call soothsayers and such fellows, by a term that is altogether too good for them. Quum sint potius diabolici, saith Piscator, since they are rather devils incarnate than divines. By a like form of speech Alsted said of his Germans, that if the Sabbath day should be named according to their observing of it, Daemoniacus potius quam Dominicus diceretur. That turneth wise men backward.] The world’ s wizards, who approved of that which the diviners affirmed, judging according to outward appearance, &c. In Encyclop.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
(25) That frustrateth the tokens of the liars.—Better, of the praters—i.e., the false prophets of Babylon. It is implied that they, after the manner of the false seers of Judah (Jeremiah 23:16-17), predicted for the kings of Babylon a time of prosperity and peace.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 44:25
24–28. Jehovah, the God of creation and of prophecy, has chosen Cyrus to execute his purpose with regard to Israel. thy redeemer] See on ch. Isaiah 41:14. formed thee from the womb] as in Isaiah 44:2. that stretcheth … alone] Cf. ch. Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 42:5; Job 9:8. by myself] The A.V. here follows the reading presupposed by the vowel-points (Qìrê). The R.V. rightly goes back to the consonantal text (Kĕ ?thîb) which is preserved in the LXX. and Vulg. and some Hebrew MSS. Render accordingly: who was with me? i.e. there was none to help me.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 44:25
That frustrateth - Hebrew, ‘Breaking:’ that is, destroying, rendering vain.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 44:25
24-28. The remaining verses of the chapter virtually make a single paragraph, unbroken in sense; the sense being a confirmation of the divine promises to Israel — that is, to the Church — by
Sermons on Isaiah 44:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Does Your Jesus Shine in the Dark by Carter Conlon | The sermon titled 'Does Your Jesus Shine in the Dark?' from Matthew chapter 23 emphasizes the importance of opening our hearts to the true Jesus, not a self-crafted version, to exp |
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Fear Not by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe delivers a sermon on overcoming fear by emphasizing the detrimental effects of fear, such as paralysis and discouragement. He draws parallels from President Franklin |
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The Man Who Knew Too Much by Gilbert K. Chesterton | Gilbert K. Chesterton preaches about the mysterious and elusive Prince Michael, known for his talent of appearing and disappearing at will, leading to a series of daring escapes an |
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The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge. (1 Cor. 2:2) by George Whitefield | The preacher delves into the meaning of 'boule' in the Bible, emphasizing that it signifies a decision or plan resulting from inner deliberation, often reflecting God's heart of in |
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A Few Hints to Them That Are Sanctified by William Gadsby | William Gadsby emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sacredness and perfection of God's Word, cautioning against misinterpreting Scripture to fit personal agendas or diminis |
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A Saviour for Egypt by George Warnock | George Warnock emphasizes the story of Joseph, who was chosen by God to save lives during a famine, yet faced betrayal and captivity in Egypt. Despite his brothers' attempts to thw |
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Neither the Devil nor His Imps by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that no plans or schemes of the devil or his followers can succeed against God's people, as the Lord's purposes are unshakeable and eternal. He reassures b |