Isaiah 46:10

I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses Israel, immediately after declaring His uniqueness (v. 9) and in contrast to the helpless idols of Babylon (v. 1). He is asserting that His foreknowledge is not passive observation but active declaration.

The words — רֵאשִׁית (re.Shit, "beginning") and אַחֲרִית ('a.cha.Rit, "end") form a merism covering the full span of time; the participle מַגִּיד (ma.gid, "declares") marks this as ongoing, not a one-time act.

The thread — The same sovereignty-of-purpose runs through Proverbs 19:21 (the LORD's purpose prevails over human plans), Psalms 33:11 (His counsel stands forever), and Ephesians 1:9 (His will according to His good pleasure, purposed in Christ).

Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop treating their own agenda as the final word and to weigh every plan against a declared purpose that God says will not be overruled.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

מַגִּ֤ידma.Gid[one who] declares מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֙me./re.Shitfrom/ [the] beginning אַחֲרִ֔ית'a.cha.Rit[the] end וּמִקֶּ֖דֶםu./mi./Ke.demand/ from/ antiquity אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sher[things] which לֹא־lo'-not נַעֲשׂ֑וּna.'a.Suthey have been done אֹמֵר֙'o.Mer[one who] says עֲצָתִ֣י'a.tza.T/ipurpose/ my תָק֔וּםta.Kumit will be fulfilled וְכָל־ve./kholand/ all חֶפְצִ֖יchef.Tz/idesire/ my אֶעֱשֶֽׂה׃'e.'e.SehI will accomplish

King James Version

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Cross-references

Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.
Ephesians 1:9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
Isaiah 43:13 Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
Isaiah 45:21 Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.
Psalms 135:6 The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.
Isaiah 44:7 Who 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.
Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
Isaiah 46:11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.