Isaiah 41 is the forty-first chapter of the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the second chapter of the section known as "Deutero-Isaiah" (Isaiah 40–55), dating from the time of the Israelites' exile in Babylon. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, and is one of the Books of the Prophets.
Text The original text was written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 29 verses.
Textual witnesses 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): 1QIsaa: complete 1QIsab: extant: verses 4-27 4QIsab (4Q56): extant: verses 8-11 5Q3 (5QIsa): extant: verses 25
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; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).
Parashot The parashah sections listed here are based on the Aleppo Codex.As implemented in the Jewish Publication Society's 1917 edition of the Hebrew Bible in English. Isaiah 41 is a part of the Consolations (Isaiah 40–66). {P}: open parashah; {S}: closed parashah. {S} 41:1-7 {S} 41:8-13 {S} 41:14-16 {S} 41:17-20 {P} 41:21-24 {P} 41:25-29 {P}
Verse 2 "Who has stirred up one from the east ...?" J. Skinner, in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, describes this reference as "unquestionably" pointing to Cyrus.Skinner, J. (1915), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Isaiah 41, accessed 1 August 2018 The Amplified Bible and the Jerusalem Bible both specify Cyrus here. in the Amplified Bible; Jerusalem Bible (1966), sub-heading for Isaiah 41:1-7 However, some Jewish exegetes have applied the verse to Abraham; Reformation theologian John Calvin makes the same connection: [The prophet] mentions Abraham; for he might have enumerated other works of God, but selected an example appropriate to his subject; for ... Abraham, whom God had brought out of Chaldea ...Calvin, J., Calvin's Commentaries on Isaiah 41, accessed 1 August 2018
Verse 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. This verse has inspired many well-known hymns, among them:Hymns for Isaiah 41 - Hymnary.org How Firm a Foundation
The Right Hand of God
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Verse 13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. This verse has inspired many well-known hymns, among them: Precious Lord, Take My Hand He Leadeth Me Lead Me, Guide Me
Verse 14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob John Wycliffe's translation, "worm of Jacob", uses the appositive genitive syntax. There is no reference to the worm in the Septuagint version: Fear not, Jacob, and thou Israel few in number.Isaiah 41:14 - Brenton's Septuagint Translation
See also Christian messianic prophecies Messianic prophecies of Jesus Related Bible parts: Isaiah 40, Isaiah 42
References
Bibliography
External links Jewish Isaiah 41: Hebrew with Parallel English
Christian Isaiah 41 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate