Isaiah 43:18 — Word Study
WLCאַֽל־ תִּזְכְּר֖וּ רִֽאשֹׁנ֑וֹת וְקַדְמֹנִיּ֖וֹת אַל־ תִּתְבֹּנָֽנוּ׃
BSADo notʼal [never, under no circumstances] call to mindzâkar▸ [remember, recall, or think about] the former thingsriʼshôwn [past events, previous experiences, or what has been] pay noʼal attentionbîyn▸ [do not consider, or give thought to] ◂to the things of oldqadmôwnîy [ancient times, bygone eras, or what has been forgotten]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַֽל־ | may not | Particle |
| תִּזְכְּר֖וּ | you remember | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine plural |
| רִֽאשֹׁנ֑וֹת | former [things] | Adj |
| וְקַדְמֹנִיּ֖וֹת | and ancient [things] | Conjunction |
| אַל־ | may not | Particle |
| תִּתְבֹּנָֽנוּ׃ | you consider | Verb, Hithpael, jussive second person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. |
| KJV | ¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. |
| ASV | Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. |
| YLT | Remember not former things, And ancient things consider not. |
| WEB | “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. |
| BBE | Give no thought to the things which are past; let the early times go out of your minds. |
Where they part company is תִּזְכְּר֖וּ — see How Translations Differ.
One main command, followed by an additional instruction. The structure emphasizes the dual nature of God's directive.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָכַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 43:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Promise of New Thingsgenerated
Isaiah 43:18 is part of a larger message where God reassures His people that He is doing something new and transformative. The surrounding verses highlight God's power and intention to provide for His people, contrasting their past experiences with His future promises, as seen in Isaiah 43:19.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 46:9 | Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. |
| 2 | Isaiah 65:17 | For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 7:18 | But do not be afraid of them. Be sure to remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt: |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 8:2 | Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 16:12 | Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תִּזְכְּר֖וּ, tiz.ke.Rugenerated
The verb זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is derived from a root implying recognition. It is used here in the jussive form, indicating a command directed at the second person masculine plural, which is 'you remember.' This form emphasizes the imperative nature of the instruction: to refrain from recalling the past.
In this context, the command to 'remember not' underscores a significant shift in focus from previous experiences to the new things God is about to do. The verse encourages an active choice to not dwell on former events, which may hinder the perception of God's current work.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
Two main clauses are present in this verse, with the first clause commanding the listener not to remember the former things, and the second clause instructing them not to pay attention to the things of old. This structure emphasizes the dual command of God to avoid both remembrance and consideration of the past.
The imperative verbs at the beginning of each clause drive the message forward, creating a strong directive that shapes the reader's understanding of God's intention in this passage.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תִּזְכְּר֖וּ as μνημονεύετε, which also means 'to remember.' This choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the importance of the command to forget the past.
The Greek word μνημονεύετε carries similar implications of memory and recollection, reinforcing the significance of the instruction given in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 43:18 tells us that God instructs His people not to remember the past or pay attention to old things. This is part of a message where God emphasizes that He is about to do something new, which is a promise for His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to let go of past events and experiences that may hinder the recognition of what God is currently doing.
God wants His people to focus on His new works and promises, rather than being distracted by previous experiences.
You can apply this by choosing to focus on the present and future that God has for you, rather than being held back by past mistakes or disappointments.
This can vary for each individual, but it often involves growth, healing, new opportunities, or a deeper relationship with Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I tend to dwell on the past?
- How can I actively choose to focus on what God is doing now?
- What new things has God revealed to me recently?
- How can I encourage others to let go of their past and embrace God's new work?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 43:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleRemember ye not the former things,.... Just now referred to, the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, and through the Red sea, and the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in it; for though these things were
Read John Gill on Isaiah 43 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryRemember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 43 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBut although your former deliverance out of Egypt was in itself a most glorious work, which you ought always to remember and consider; yet this other work of your deliverance out of Babylon by Cyrus, and those blessings which shall follow upon it, and particularly that inestimable mercy of sending the Messiah, shall be so transcendent a layout, that, in comparison thereof, all your former deliverances are scarce worthy of your remembrance and consideration. Which exposition is confirmed by two parallel texts, ,15 23:7,8. From all which texts laid together, it appears that this latter deliverance, compared with that out of Egypt, is not to be confined to their freedom from the Babylonish…
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 43 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.Ver. 18. Remember ye not the former things,] sc., In comparison of those things I shall now do for you by Cyrus, but especially by Christ, who is that way in the wilderness, and that running rock.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 43 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18, 19) Remember ye not . . .—All the wonders of the great historic past of Israel were to be as nothing compared with the new manifestation of the power of Jehovah, which Isaiah sees as already dawning in the future. Shall ye not know it?—Better, Will ye not give heed to it?I will even make a way in the wilderness . . .—The literal and the spiritual senses melt into each other. The very beasts of the field shall lose their ferocity in the presence of the saints of God. For “dragons and owls,” read jackals and ostriches.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 43 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. Great as the wonders of the exodus were they shall be far surpassed by that which Jehovah is about to do. The verse resumes the opening clause of Isa 43:16. Remember ye not …] Cf. Jeremiah 16:14 f., Isaiah 23:7 f. It is not meant of course that the exodus shall be actually forgotten (see ch. Isaiah 46:9), but only that it shall no longer be the supreme instance of Jehovah’s redeeming power. former things … things of old] Cf. ch. Isaiah 46:9. Obviously the expression “former things,” so often used of past events predicted, here includes the remote incidents of the deliverance from Egypt.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 43 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleRemember ye not ... - So great and wonderful shall be God’s future interpositions in your behalf, that what he has done, great as that was, shall be comparatively forgotten.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 43 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. Remember ye not — An exhortation not to “remember” the fleeing dwellers, or that event, marvellous as that was: a more marvellous one is to come.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 43 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.
“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old.
“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.
“Don't remember these earlier events; don't recall these former events.
Tyndale line
¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Remember yee not the former things, neither regard the things of olde.
Strictly literal
— Remember not the former things, neither consider the ancient things:
Remember not former things, And ancient things consider not.
Do not remember former things, || And do not consider ancient things.
Remember not the former things, and ancient events regard no more.
“Do not think about these former things, nor consider the things of long ago.
From the Latin
Remember not former things, and look not on things of old.
Simplified
But don't dwell on the past; don't concentrate on what happened back then.
Give no thought to the things which are past; let the early times go out of your minds.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls all agree on the wording of this verse, with the Septuagint providing a direct translation of the Hebrew. The Dead Sea Scrolls also confirm the Hebrew text with minor variations in spelling.
אַֽל־ תִּזְכְּר֖וּ רִֽאשֹׁנ֑וֹת וְקַדְמֹנִיּ֖וֹת אַל־ תִּתְבֹּנָֽנוּ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אל תזכור רישונות וקדמוניות אל תתבוננו
6 words on the leather.
[אל] [תזכרו] [ראשנות] [וקדמניות] [אל] תתבננו
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 43:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is built from a primitive root implying recognition. It covers a range of meanings, including recalling thoughts, commemorating days, and causing others to remember. The entries also note its use in various grammatical forms, such as being remembered or making a memorial.
זָכַר vb. remember
Qal
Human subj.
remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
remember persons (human subj.)
remember י׳
remember
think of or on, call to mind something present or future
remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
remember, with implied mention of, obj.
Subj. י׳ (אלהִם)
remember persons
remember the distress of his servants
their devotion
remember his own covenant (with them)
his mercy
extenuating circumstances
remember sins, idolatries
Niph.
be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
Hiph.
cause to remember, remind
cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
mention
record, only pt.
of sacrifice, make a memorial
base
H2142 זָכַר remember .. Human subj. . remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
. remember persons (human subj.)
. remember י׳
. remember
. think of or on, call to mind something present or future
. remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
. remember, with implied mention of, obj.
. Subj. י׳ (אלהִם) . remember persons
. . remember the distress of his servants
. their devotion
. . remember his own covenant (with them)
. his mercy
. extenuating circumstances
. remember sins, idolatries
. . be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
. neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
. be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
. . cause to remember, remind
. cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
. mention
. record, only pt.
. of sacrifice, make a memorial
2142 zakar zaw-kar'
a primitive root; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized),
i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; also (as
denominative from 2145) to be male:--X burn (incense), X
earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount,
record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call,
come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X
well.
see HEBREW for 02145
זָכַר (za.khar) — to remember.
1) to remember, recall, call to mind
1a) (Qal) to remember, recall
1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to remember, remind
1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
1c3) to mention
1c4) to record
1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance
V-Qal-Juss-2mp — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine pluralHVqj2mp
The Hebrew word רִאשׁוֹן (*ri'shown*) means 'first' and can refer to something that is primary, former, or chief. It encompasses meanings related to time, rank, and location, indicating ancestors or previous things. The entries consistently emphasize its use as an adjective and adverb, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
רִאשׁוֹן 182 adj. former, first, chief
base
H7223 רִאשׁוֹן former, first, chief
7223 ri'shown ree-shone'
or riishon {ree-shone'}; from 7221; first, in place, time or
rank (as adjective or noun):--ancestor, (that were)
before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father)
(-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
see HEBREW for 07221
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first.
: first
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: previous.
: previous
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon) — first: chief.
: chief
adj
1) first, primary, former
1a) former (of time)
1a1) ancestors
1a2) former things
1b) foremost (of location)
1c) first (in time)
1d) first, chief (in degree)
adv
2) first, before, formerly, at first
Adj — AdjHAofpa
קַדְמֹנִי (qadmowniy) means 'former' or 'eastern,' indicating something that is ancient or anterior in time or place. It is derived from the root word for 'east' and can refer to things of old or those that went before. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to age and direction.
קַדְמֹנִי adj. former, eastern
base
H6931 קַדְמֹנִי former, eastern
6931 qadmowniy kad-mo-nee'
or qadmoniy {kad-mo-nee'}; from 6930; (of time) anterior or
(of place) oriental:--ancient, they that went before, east,
(thing of) old.
see HEBREW for 06930
קַדְמֹנִי (qad.mo.ni) — eastern.
: eastern
1) former, ancient, eastern
1a) former, ancient
1b) eastern
Also means: qad.mo.ni (קַדְמֹנִי ": older" H6931H)
קַדְמֹנִי (qad.mo.ni) — eastern: older.
: older
1) former, ancient, eastern
1a) former, ancient
1b) eastern
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aafpa
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Part — ParticleHTn
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-r-Juss-2mp — Verb · Hithpael · jussive second person masculine pluralHVtj2mp
kon-sid'-er: In the New Testament the force of the word is brought out most vividly in Mt 6:26 (katamanthano), where it means to "examine closely," as though the observer had to bend down for this purpose, and in Lu 12:27; Heb 10:24 (katanoeo, to "observe well"), while in Heb 13:7 the anatheoreo, "look up toward" or "look again at" is consistent with the reverential regard commended in the context. Used in the Old Testament for a variety of Hebrew terms, signifying inspecting (Pr 31:16), examining (Le 13:13), giving serious thoughts to (
