The Meaning of Isaiah 45:23 Explained

Isaiah 45:23

KJV: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

YLT: By Myself I have sworn, Gone out from my mouth in righteousness hath a word, And it turneth not back, That to Me, bow doth every knee, every tongue swear.

Darby: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

ASV: By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I have sworn  by myself, the word  is gone out  of my mouth  [in] righteousness,  and shall not return,  That unto me every knee  shall bow,  every tongue  shall swear. 

What does Isaiah 45:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

God Himself swore (cf. Genesis 22:16) that everyone will eventually bow to His authority (some as condemned sinners and others as pardoned worshippers) and appeal to Him (cf. Romans 14:10-12; Philippians 2:9-11). In view of this, it is only reasonable to call on Him for salvation now. This word from God, confirmed with His oath, is as reliable as His promises to Abraham and His words predicting Cyrus" activities.

Context Summary

Isaiah 45:14-25 - A Call To The Ends Of The Earth
As the prophet reviews God's method of delivering His people-so unexpected and so wonderful-he cannot restrain the ejaculation: Thou art a God that hidest thyself! "Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will." You do not see how God is going to save you; but most certainly His Angel will redeem you from all evil.
God contrasts Himself with idols, Isaiah 45:20. We can never seek His face in vain. They that trust in man or their own devices are doomed to disappointment; but faith and prayer make all the difference. He is "a just God and a Savior." This is the wonderful combination that the Cross reveals. See Romans 3:26; 1 John 1:9. Look to Him and be saved. Even if you dwell in a far land or at the ends of the earth, and even if you can only look toward Him with failing sight, remember that "there is life in a look." Dare to say, "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." You have none of your own! Your strength is weakness! Your righteousness is full of flaws! Look to Him; boast in Him; and men shall come to you for your secret. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 45

1  God calls Cyrus for his church's sake
5  By his omnipotence he challenges obedience
20  He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power

What do the individual words in Isaiah 45:23 mean?

By Myself I have sworn has gone out of My mouth [in] righteousness the word and not shall return that to Me shall bow every knee shall take an oath tongue
בִּ֣י נִשְׁבַּ֔עְתִּי יָצָ֨א מִפִּ֧י צְדָקָ֛ה דָּבָ֖ר וְלֹ֣א יָשׁ֑וּב כִּי־ לִי֙ תִּכְרַ֣ע כָּל־ בֶּ֔רֶךְ תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע לָשֽׁוֹן

בִּ֣י  By  Myself 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֲבִיאָסָף  
Sense: son (descendant) of Korah.
נִשְׁבַּ֔עְתִּי  I  have  sworn 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
יָצָ֨א  has  gone  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
מִפִּ֧י  of  My  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
צְדָקָ֛ה  [in]  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
דָּבָ֖ר  the  word 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
וְלֹ֣א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָשׁ֑וּב  shall  return 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
כִּי־  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
לִי֙  to  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
תִּכְרַ֣ע  shall  bow 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: כָּרַע  
Sense: to bend, kneel, bow, bow down, sink down to one’s knees, kneel down to rest (of animals), kneel in reverence.
כָּל־  every 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
בֶּ֔רֶךְ  knee 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: knee.
תִּשָּׁבַ֖ע  shall  take  an  oath 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: שָׁבַע  
Sense: to swear, adjure.
לָשֽׁוֹן  tongue 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.