Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights God's unique ability to declare new realities before they even emerge, grounding His pronouncements in the certainty of His past fulfillment of prophecy. It’s not just about predicting the future, but about God actively bringing forth the new things He speaks into being.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of God's message to His people, emphasizing His unique divine power. It follows declarations about His glory and the coming deliverance of Israel, likely referring to the return from Babylonian exile and the rise of Cyrus. The verses immediately following will continue to highlight God's power and the role of His chosen Servant in bringing about these new events.
Have you ever wondered how God builds our trust? It's not by accident. Isaiah 42:9 reveals a foundational principle of faith: God's track record.
Isaiah 42:9 opens with a powerful declaration: 'Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare.' God isn't just announcing future events; He's grounding His credibility on past fulfilled prophecies.
God doesn't wait for things to happen and then take credit. He's in the business of telling us before they unfold.
The latter part of Isaiah 42:9 states, 'before they spring forth I tell you of them.' This highlights God's deliberate and proactive nature in His communication with His people.
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This prophecy was delivered during the Babylonian Exile, a time when Israel's faith and identity were severely tested. By recalling past fulfillments and declaring new divine intentions, God assures His people that He remains in control, even amidst their suffering and dispersion, promising a future restoration and a new era of divine action.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Isaiah delivers prophecies, including assurances of Jerusalem's inviolability and Israel's preservation, during the Assyrian siege.
c. 621 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
Following the discovery of the Book of the Law, King Josiah institutes religious reforms. However, this period of renewed faithfulness is followed by an idolatrous reaction.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Victory at Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar's decisive victory marks Babylon's rise as the dominant world power, influencing Judah's political and religious trajectory.
598 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, taking Jehoiakim captive and deporting a significant portion of the population, including elites and artisans.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
After a prolonged siege, Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar, the Temple is destroyed, and the remaining population is deported to Babylon.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus begins his ascent, leading to his conquest of the Median Empire and setting the stage for his future campaign against Babylon.
This verse emphasizes God's knowledge of His plans for His people and His intention to bring them to a future filled with hope, mirroring Isaiah's declaration of knowing and declaring new things before they happen.
John 13:19Jesus tells His disciples about future events beforehand so that when they occur, the disciples will believe He is the Christ, echoing the purpose stated in Isaiah: that knowing God's declarations beforehand leads to belief in His divine nature and work.
Acts 15:18James quotes Amos, stating that 'Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world,' which aligns with Isaiah's message of God's foreknowledge and declaration of events before they unfold.
Isaiah 43:19This passage directly parallels Isaiah 42:9 by declaring God's intention to do a 'new thing' and stating 'before it springs forth I will tell you of it,' reinforcing the theme of God's active, foreknowing, and declarative nature.
Isaiah 48:3-5The prophet points to the fulfillment of past prophecies as proof of God's unique ability to foretell and execute new things, similar to how Isaiah 42:9 uses past fulfillments to establish God's credibility for future declarations.
pulpitIsaiah 42:9: "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Verses 9-17. - ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COMING DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL FROM BABYLON, AND CALL ON THE NATIONS FOR A SONG OF PRAISE AND JUBILATION. Jehovah is still the speaker. He begins by promising a new revelation (ver. 9). Then, before the revelation is made, he calls upon the nations - especially those in the vicinity of Palestine - to rejoice at what is about to ha…
pooleIsaiah 42:9: "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
The former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: as all things which I have formerly promised or foretold have exactly come to pass in their proper seasons, and not one of them failed, as was noted, Joshua 23:14 ; so you have great reason to believe that what I now promise, though it be new and strange to you, shall infallibly be accomplished. Befo…
This verse highlights God's unique ability to declare new realities before they even emerge, grounding His pronouncements in the certainty of His past fulfillment of prophecy. It’s not just about predicting the future, but about God actively bringing forth the new things He speaks into being.
This verse is part of God's message to His people, emphasizing His unique divine power. It follows declarations about His glory and the coming deliverance of Israel, likely referring to the return from Babylonian exile and the rise of Cyrus. The verses immediately following will continue to highlight God's power and the role of His chosen Servant in bringing about these new events.
This verse is part of God's message to His people, emphasizing His unique divine power. It follows declarations about His glory and the coming deliverance of Israel, likely referring to the return from Babylonian exile and the rise of Cyrus. The verses immediately following will continue to highlight God's power and the role of His chosen Servant in bringing about these new events.
"Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”" — This verse highlights God's unique ability to declare new realities before they even emerge, grounding His pronouncements in the certainty of His past fulfillment of prophecy. It’s not just about pre…
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Last reviewed October 2026