What does Isaiah 45:23 mean?

"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." - Isaiah 45:23

Isaiah 45:23 That to Me every knee shall bow,

Isaiah 45:23 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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." This verse from the book of Isaiah, one of the major prophets in the Old Testament, is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and the ultimate authority that He holds over all creation.

The context of this verse is found within the larger section of Isaiah 45, where God is speaking to the Persian king Cyrus, whom He has raised up to be His chosen instrument for the restoration of His people, Israel. In this chapter, God is expressing His divine plan and purpose for using Cyrus, a pagan ruler, to bring about His redemptive work. It is within this context that Isaiah 45:23 is situated, as a part of God's declaration of His own power and authority.

One of the key themes of Isaiah 45:23 is the universal lordship of God. The verse begins with the powerful declaration, "I have sworn by myself," indicating that God's word is backed by His own character and integrity. This emphasizes the unshakable nature of His promises and the certainty of His decrees. The phrase "the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" speaks to the moral perfection and justice of God's pronouncements. Everything that God speaks is rooted in His righteousness and truth, and this verse assures that His word will be fulfilled without fail.

The latter part of the verse, "That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear," contains language that is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Romans (Romans 14:11) and Philippians (Philippians 2:10-11). This underscores the universal application of this prophecy, further emphasizing the absolute authority of God over all humanity. Every knee bowing and every tongue confessing points to a time when every person, regardless of their background or beliefs, will acknowledge the sovereignty of God.

The symbolism of "every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" is rich and profound. The act of bowing the knee signifies submission, reverence, and acknowledgment of someone's authority. In this case, it denotes the recognition of God's supreme lordship and the acceptance of His rightful place as ruler over all. Similarly, confessing with the tongue symbolizes a verbal declaration of allegiance and homage. Together, these actions represent the comprehensive and complete acknowledgement of God's reign by all of creation.

This verse also carries the weight of eschatological significance, pointing to the end times when every individual will stand before God and confess His lordship. This is in line with the biblical teaching of judgment and the final reconciliation of all things in Christ. It serves as a solemn reminder of the accountability that all people have before God and the inescapable reality of His authority.

In conclusion, Isaiah 45:23 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and the universal acknowledgment of His lordship. It speaks to the unchanging nature of His word, the righteousness of His decrees, and the ultimate submission of all creation to His authority. The themes of God's sovereignty, righteousness, and universal lordship are beautifully encapsulated in this verse, carrying profound implications for both the original audience and for believers today. It serves as a timeless assurance of God's supreme rule and the certainty of His ultimate victory.

Isaiah 45:23 Artwork

Isaiah 45:23 That to Me every knee shall bow,

Isaiah 45:23 - "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."

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Isaiah 45:5-6

Luke 23:45 - "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."

Isaiah 45:25 - "In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."

Isaiah 45:15 - "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour."

Isaiah 45:16 - "They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols."

Isaiah 45:22 - "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."

Isaiah 45:17 - "But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end."

Isaiah 45:6 - "That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else."

Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

Isaiah 45:5 - "¶ I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:"

Isaiah 45:10 - "Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?"

Ezekiel 23:45 - "¶ And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands."

Luke 23:44-45 - "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."

Isaiah 3:23 - "The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails."

Isaiah 45:2 - "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:"

Isaiah 45:12 I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands--stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.

Isaiah 45:2 'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.

Isaiah 45:20 - "¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save."

Isaiah 45:12 I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands--stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.

Isaiah 45:12 - "I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded."

Isaiah 45:24 - "Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed."

Genesis 45:23 - "And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way."

Isaiah 45:11 - "Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me."

Isaiah 23:14 - "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste."

Isaiah 23:6 - "Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle."