Isaiah 41:12

12 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.

Isaiah 41:12 Meaning and Commentary

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 6:15-17 ) : even them that contended with thee;
or, "the men of thy contention" {p}; who contended with them, not by words and arguments, but by severe persecutions, striving thereby to hinder the progress of the Gospel, and to root Christianity out of the world: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of
nought:
or, "the men of thy war" F17; that proclaimed and carried on war against the Christians, in order to destroy them utterly; yet they, and all their efforts, came to nothing, the Gospel prevailed, and Paganism was utterly abolished; which came to pass in Constantine's time, at the opening of the sixth seal, ( Revelation 6:12-14 ) which is a proper comment on this text.
FOOTNOTES:

F16 (Kytum yvna) "viros jurgii tui", Montanus.
F17 (Ktmxlm yvna) "viri belli tui", Vatablus; "pugnae tuae", Montanus.

Isaiah 41:12 In-Context

10 Be not afraid, for with thee I [am], Look not around, for I [am] thy God, I have strengthened thee, Yea, I have helped thee, yea, I upheld thee, With the right hand of My righteousness.
11 Lo, all those displeased with thee, They are ashamed and blush, They are as nothing, yea, perish Do the men who strive with thee.
12 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.
13 For I, Jehovah thy God, Am strengthening thy right hand, He who is saying to thee, `Fear not, I have helped thee.'
14 Fear not, O worm Jacob, ye men of Israel, I helped thee, an affirmation of Jehovah, Even thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.