Isaiah 41:12
Isaiah 41:12 in Multiple Translations
You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
You will make search for your haters but they will not be there; those who make war against you will be as nothing and will come to destruction.
Even though you look for your enemies, you won't find them. Those who attack you will become absolutely nothing.
Thou shalt seeke them and shalt not finde them: to wit, the men of thy strife, for they shall be as nothing, and the men that warre against thee, as a thing of nought.
Thou seekest them, and findest them not, The men who debate with thee, They are as nothing, yea, as nothing, The men who war with thee.
You will seek them, and won’t find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught.
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find the men that resist thee: they shall be as nothing: and as a thing consumed the men that war against thee.
If you search for those who tried to conquer you, you will not find them, because they will all have disappeared. Those who attacked you will not exist any more.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 41:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 41:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תְּבַקְשֵׁ/ם֙
וְ/לֹ֣א
תִמְצָאֵ֔/ם
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
מַצֻּתֶ֑/ךָ
יִהְי֥וּ
כְ/אַ֛יִן
וּ/כְ/אֶ֖פֶס
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
מִלְחַמְתֶּֽ/ךָ
תְּבַקְשֵׁ/ם֙
bâqash
H1245
to seek
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תִמְצָאֵ֔/ם
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
מַצֻּתֶ֑/ךָ
matstsûwth
H4695
strife
N-fs | Suff
יִהְי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כְ/אַ֛יִן
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Prep | N-ms
וּ/כְ/אֶ֖פֶס
ʼepheç
H657
end
Conj | Prep | N-ms
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
מִלְחַמְתֶּֽ/ךָ
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 41:12
תְּבַקְשֵׁ/ם֙
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִמְצָאֵ֔/ם
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
אַנְשֵׁ֖י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מַצֻּתֶ֑/ךָ
matstsûwth
H4695
"strife"
N-fs | Suff
This word means strife or contention, like a quarrel or dispute. It's used in the Bible to describe conflict or argument, such as in Proverbs 28:25. It's about disagreement or competition.
Definition: strife, contention
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: that contended. See also: Isaiah 41:12.
יִהְי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְ/אַ֛יִן
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Prep | N-ms
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
וּ/כְ/אֶ֖פֶס
ʼepheç
H657
"end"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word can mean the soles of the feet or the ankles, but it can also mean an end or a stop to something. In Deuteronomy 28:35, it describes a curse that will afflict the Israelites from the soles of their feet to the top of their head.
Definition: 1) ceasing, end, finality 2) expressing non-existence
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: ankle, but (only), end, howbeit, less than nothing, nevertheless (where), no, none (beside), not (any, -withstanding), thing of nought, save(-ing), there, uttermost part, want, without (cause). See also: Numbers 13:28; Isaiah 5:8; Psalms 2:8.
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מִלְחַמְתֶּֽ/ךָ
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
N-fs | Suff
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
Study Notes — Isaiah 41:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 41:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 41:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 41:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 41:12
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 41:12
- Sermons on Isaiah 41:12
Context — God’s Help to Israel
10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
11Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.
12You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.
13For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you. 14Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 37:35–36 | I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found. |
| 2 | Job 20:7–9 | he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night. The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him. |
| 3 | Isaiah 17:14 | In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us. |
Isaiah 41:12 Summary
[Isaiah 41:12 is a promise from God that He will take care of us and bring our enemies to nothing, which means they will not be able to harm us. This is because God is our protector and helper, as seen in Isaiah 41:10. We can trust in His power and love, just as we see in Psalm 23:4, and know that He will always be with us. By trusting in God, we can face our challenges with confidence and courage, knowing that He will help us overcome them.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that those who wage war against us will come to nothing in Isaiah 41:12?
This means that despite the enemies' efforts to harm or defeat us, they will ultimately fail and be brought to nothing, as God is our protector and helper, as seen in Isaiah 41:10 and Exodus 14:13-14.
How can we be sure that God will help us against our enemies?
We can be sure because God promises to strengthen and uphold us with His right hand of righteousness, as stated in Isaiah 41:10, and He is faithful to keep His promises, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9.
What is the condition for experiencing God's protection and help in Isaiah 41:12?
The condition is not explicitly stated in this verse, but in the context of Isaiah 41, it is clear that trusting in God and not fearing is crucial, as God says 'Do not fear, for I am with you' in Isaiah 41:10 and 'Do not fear, I will help you' in Isaiah 41:13.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are not alone in our struggles, and God is always with us to help and protect us, just as He promised in Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am currently facing opposition or 'war', and how can I trust God to help me in those situations?
- In what ways can I apply the promise of Isaiah 41:12 to my daily life, and what difference would it make if I truly believed that God would bring my enemies to nothing?
- How does the knowledge that God is my protector and helper affect my fear and anxiety, and what steps can I take to trust Him more?
- What does it mean for me to 'seek' my enemies, and how can I instead focus on seeking God and His righteousness, as taught in Matthew 6:33?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 41:12
Ver. 12 Thou shall seek them, and shalt not find them,.... They not existing, or being fled into holes and corners, to rocks and mountains, to hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb, Revelation
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 41:12
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them; they shall be so totally consumed, that although thou searchest for them, thou shalt not be able to find them any where in the world. Shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought; shall be utterly brought to nought. The thing is twice repeated, to show the certainty and greatness of their destruction.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
Isaiah 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, [even] them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.Ver. 12. Even them that contended with thee.] Heb., The men of thy contention - thy contendents, such as this eristical age hath more than a good many. By the Quakers’ wild fancies and rude practices we may see how cross-grained these people are in contradicting everything. Many men’ s spirits, saith one, today lie like that haven in Acts 27:12, toward the south-west and north-west, two opposite points.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 41:12
(11, 12) Behold . . .—The choice of the Servant has, as its complement, the indignation of Jehovah against those who attack him, and this thought is emphasised by a four-fold iteration. “They that strive with thee, &c,” represents the Hebrew idiom, the men of thy conflict, which stands emphatically at the end of each clause.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 41:12
11–13. Humanly speaking Israel has cause for fear, being surrounded by opponents; but they shall be put to utter confusion. 11f. incensed] lit. “inflamed,” as in ch. Isaiah 45:24; Son 1:6. The precise form occurs only in these passages. they that strive … them that contend … they that war] Lit. men of thy contention … strife … warfare; a climax which Delitzsch renders by adversarii, inimici, hostes. These expressions are emphatic and stand at the end of their respective clauses, and to each are attached two (logical) predicates; hence in Isaiah 41:11 we should read (as R.V. nearly): they shall be as nothing, and shall perish—the men etc. thou shalt seek and not find them that &c.] Cf. ch. Isaiah 33:18.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 41:12
Thou shalt seek them - This denotes that it would be impossible to find them, for they should cease to exist.
Sermons on Isaiah 41:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Wrath of Satan Shall Praise God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. He emphasizes that when Jesus shows up, the game is over for the enemi |
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If God Could Keep Me From Trouble, Then Why Doesn't He? by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and doing good. He encourages the audience to look for opportunities to do good and to rely on God's p |
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God's Terribleness and Gentleness by Joseph Parker | Joseph Parker preaches about the contrasting truths of God's power and restraint, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing both aspects. He illustrates how God's p |
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This Is the Portion of a Wicked Man From God. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the inevitable connection between wrongdoing and its consequences, as illustrated in the Book of Job. He reflects on the beliefs of Eastern peoples regarding |
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Waiting Rather Than Fretting by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the inevitability of external stimuli that cause vexation in our lives, suggesting that true deliverance from a fretting spirit comes through humility, self-d |
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We Should Obey God by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of obeying God rather than following prideful and divisive leaders who incite conflict. He warns against yielding to the harmful inclinati |