Behold, the former things have happened, and now I declare new things. Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.”
- KJV Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
- NKJV Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
- NASB “Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they sprout I proclaim them to you.”
- NLT Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As former predictions have come true, God now announces new things before they happen.
Overview
God points to the fulfillment of His past words as proof that His new declarations will likewise come to pass. His ability to foretell the future authenticates His sovereignty. The 'new things' herald the unfolding work of redemption, ultimately the new covenant inaugurated in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Isa 43:19Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
- Isa 46:9–10Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
- John 13:19I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.
- 2 Pet 1:19–21We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
- Isa 44:7–8Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.
- Josh 23:14–15Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.
- Josh 21:45Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.
- Isa 41:22–23“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.
- 1 Kgs 8:15–20and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,
- 1 Pet 1:10–12Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
- Gen 15:12–16As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him.
- 1 Kgs 11:36I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.
- Acts 15:18that have been known for ages.’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 42:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.