Who say, “Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!”
Parallel translations
- KJV That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
- BSB to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”
- NKJV That say, “Let Him make speed and hasten His work, That we may see it; And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, That we may know it.”
- NASB Who say, “Let Him hurry, let Him do His work quickly, so that we may see it; And let the plan of the Holy One of Israel approach And come to pass, so that we may know it!”
- NLT They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.”
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
These scoffers taunt God to hurry His work so they can see it, mocking the counsel of the Holy One. It reveals brazen unbelief that dares God to act.
Overview
Their challenge is not honest inquiry but cynical defiance, doubting that God will ever fulfill His word of judgment. This skepticism toward 'the counsel of the Holy One of Israel' shows hardened hearts that treat God's warnings with contempt. Scripture warns that such mockery does not delay but invites the judgment it scorns (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ezek 12:22“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails?’
- Jer 17:15Behold, they tell me, “Where is Yahweh’s word? Let it be fulfilled now.”
- Jer 23:36You shall mention the message from Yahweh no more: for every man’s own word has become his message; for you have perverted the words of the living God, of Yahweh of Armies, our God.
- Jer 5:12–13They have denied Yahweh, and said, “It is not he; neither shall evil come on us; neither shall we see sword nor famine.
- Isa 66:5Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.
- 2 Pet 3:3–4knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,
- Amos 5:18–19“Woe to you who desire the day of Yahweh! Why do you long for the day of Yahweh? It is darkness, and not light.
- Isa 30:11Get out of the way. Turn aside from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”
- Jer 23:18For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? Who has listend to my word, and heard it?
- Ezek 12:27“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many day to come, and he prophesies of times that are far off.’
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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 5:19 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
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