Text -- Isaiah 41:26-29 (NET)

41:26 Who decreed this from the beginning, so we could know? Who announced it ahead of time, so we could say, ‘He’s correct’? Indeed, none of them decreed it! Indeed, none of them announced it! Indeed, no one heard you say anything! 41:27 I first decreed to Zion, ‘Look, here’s what will happen!’ I sent a herald to Jerusalem. 41:28 I look, but there is no one, among them there is no one who serves as an adviser, that I might ask questions and receive answers. 41:29 Look, all of them are nothing, their accomplishments are nonexistent; their metal images lack any real substance.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 41:26

¹ tn The words “who announced it” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The interrogative particle and verb are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).

NET Notes: Isa 41:27

¹ tn The Hebrew text reads simply, “First to Zion, ‘Look here they are!’” The words “I decreed” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

² map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

NET Notes: Isa 41:29

¹ tc The Hebrew text has אָוֶן (’aven, “deception,” i.e., “false”), but the Qumran scroll 1QIsa^a has אין (“nothing”), which forms a better parallel with אֶפֶס (’efes, “nothing”) in the next line. See also 40:17 and 41:12.

² tn Heb “their statues are wind and nothing”; NASB “wind and emptiness”; NIV “wind and confusion.”