Isaiah 45:12

12 1I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands 2that stretched out the heavens, and 3I commanded all their host.

Isaiah 45:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 45:12

I have made the earth
The Targum adds, "by my Word"; the essential Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; see ( Hebrews 11:3 ) , this, with what follows, is said to show that the Lord was able to bring to pass things to come, concerning his children, and the works of his hands, which he allowed his people to inquire of him concerning, and to insist upon the performance of them; since he was the Creator of all things, and had made the earth out of nothing, in the beginning of time, by the word of his power: and created man upon it;
the last and chief of the creation, for the sake of whom the earth was made; and man was made to dwell upon it, manure, and cultivate it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens;
as a canopy over the earth, as a curtain and tent to dwell in; a phrase often used to express the greatness and majesty of God; see ( Isaiah 40:22 ) ( 42:6 ) : and all their host have I commanded;
into being, and to perform their offices regularly and constantly, the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the heavenly host of angels; see ( Psalms 33:9 ) ( 148:5 ) , what is it that such a God cannot do? he is able to do more than his people can ask of him, or think to receive from him, ( Ephesians 3:20 ) .

Isaiah 45:12 In-Context

10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'"
11 Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: "Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?
12 I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
13 I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the LORD of hosts.
14 Thus says the LORD: "The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.'"

Cross References 3

  • 1. Jeremiah 27:5
  • 2. Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24
  • 3. Genesis 2:1
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.