Isaiah 42:9
Context42:9 Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; 1
now I announce new events.
Before they begin to occur,
I reveal them to you.” 2
Isaiah 41:22
Context41:22 “Let them produce evidence! Let them tell us what will happen!
Tell us about your earlier predictive oracles, 3
so we may examine them 4 and see how they were fulfilled. 5
Or decree for us some future events!
1 tn Heb “the former things, look, they have come.”
2 tn Heb “before they sprout up, I cause you to hear.” The pronoun “you” is plural, referring to the people of Israel. In this verse “the former things” are the Lord’s earlier predictive oracles which have come to pass, while “the new things” are predicted events that have not yet begun to take place. “The former things” are earlier events in Israel’s history which God announced beforehand, such as the Exodus (see 43:16-18). “The new things” are the predictions about the servant (42:1-7). and may also include Cyrus’ conquests (41:25-27).
3 tn Heb “As for the former things, tell us what they are!”
4 tn Heb “so we might set [them to] our heart.”
5 tn Heb “and might know their outcome.”