Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Parallel translations
- WEB “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old.
- BSB “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.
- NKJV “Donot remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
- NASB “Do not call to mind the former things, Or consider things of the past.
- NLT “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
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
God tells His people not to dwell on former things or the things of old. It calls them to look ahead to the new work He is about to do.
Overview
Having just recalled the Exodus, God now redirects attention from past deliverances to a coming greater one. The point is not to forget history but not to let it eclipse God's fresh saving act. This anticipation of something new ultimately finds fulfillment in the new covenant inaugurated by Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Isa 65:17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
- 2 Cor 3:10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
- 1 Chr 16:12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
- Deut 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
- Isa 46:9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
- Jer 16:14–15Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
- Deut 7:18Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;
- Jer 23:7–8Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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 43:18 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.