Isaiah 43 is the forty-third chapter of the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, and is one of the Books of the Prophets.
Chapters 40–55 are known as "Deutero-Isaiah" and date from the time of the Israelites' exile in Babylon. This chapter "refers mainly to the promised deliverance from Babylon". "But now", the opening words of this chapter, reverse the tone of the latter part of Isaiah 42, connecting the two chapters. In 42:18–25 KJV, the prophet has rebuked the people of Israel for their blindness and deafness; in 43:8 KJV he calls for "the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears" to hear the proclamation of a "new Exodus".[1]
The original text was written in the Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 28 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008).
Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (3rd century BC or later):
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
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The parashah sections listed here are based on the Aleppo Codex.[2] Isaiah 43 is a part of the Consolations (Isaiah 40–66). : open parashah; : closed parashah.
[{P} 42:18-25] 43:1-10 43:11-13 43:14-15 43:16-21 43:22-28
This section contains an oracle of salvation, with the repetition of 'Do not fear' in verses 1 and 5 to emphasize the message of reassurance, that YHWH had made the people of Israel part of his family and just as in the past, he is active in delivering them from every kind of danger in the future.
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine."[3]
I will say to the north, Give up;
and to the south, Keep not back:
bring my sons from far,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth;[6]
In this section the language of a trial returns with the demandfor Israel to bear witness to YHWH's deeds, although they are blind and deaf (cf. Isaiah 42:18), to declare the incomparability of YHWH.
"You are My witnesses," says the Lord,
"And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.[7]
The oracle in this section commands the hearers not to remember the former things as they will pale into insignificance before 'the new thing' that YHWH will do in the future with his saving power.
Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power;
they shall lie down together, they shall not rise:
they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.[9]
Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.[10]
In verses 22–24 YHWH condemns the people for the failure to participate in worship, which seems to be in contrast with what was condemned earlier in Isaiah 1:10—17, that is, 'misplaced enthusiasm for worship' (also similarly condemned in other prophetic passages (Amos 5:18-24; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8), but this section is 'concerned with the worship of other gods', as emphasized by the repetition of the word 'me' (8 times in 3 verses). Verses 25–28 clarify that the condemnation 'is to be seen in the context of the trial' and the whole community is not free from blame.
You have bought Me no sweet cane with money,
Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
But you have burdened Me with your sins,
You have wearied Me with your iniquities.[11]
Put Me in remembrance;
let us plead together;
state your cause, that you may be justified.[16]