Isaiah 41:26

41:26 Who decreed this from the beginning, so we could know?

Who announced it ¹  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!

Isaiah 45:19

45:19 I have not spoken in secret,

in some hidden place. ² 

I did not tell Jacob’s descendants,

‘Seek me in vain!’ ³ 

I am the Lord,

the one who speaks honestly,

who makes reliable announcements. ⁴ 

Isaiah 46:10

46:10 who announces the end from the beginning

and reveals beforehand ⁵  what has not yet occurred,

who says, ‘My plan will be realized,

I will accomplish what I desire,’

[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).

[45:19]  ² tn Heb “in a place of a land of darkness” (ASV similar); NASB “in some dark land.”

[45:19]  ³ tn “In vain” translates תֹהוּ (tohu), used here as an adverbial accusative: “for nothing.”

[45:19]  ⁴ tn The translation above assumes that צֶדֶק (tsedeq) and מֵישָׁרִים (mesharim) are adverbial accusatives (see 33:15). If they are taken as direct objects, indicating the content of what is spoken, one might translate, “who proclaims deliverance, who announces justice.”

[46:10]  ³ tn Or “from long ago”; KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV “from ancient times.”