“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God isn't just asking them to recall past prophecies; He's pointing to a moment where the fulfillment is so clear, they should be compelled to see it and proclaim it. He reveals "new things," not just future events, but deeply hidden truths and plans that were beyond their current understanding, emphasizing that these revelations are a fresh act of God, completely unknown until this moment.
“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes as God addresses the people of Jacob (Israel), who claim to know Him but live hypocritically, not in truth or righteousness. He reminds them of His past declarations and their fulfillment, contrasting this with their stubborn refusal to believe or acknowledge His power, despite ample evidence. Now, God is about to reveal "new things" and "hidden things" that they have never known, specifically pointing towards their future deliverance from Babylonian exile through Cyrus, a pivotal event not previously foretold in such detail.
Have you ever read a promise that felt impossible at the time, only to see it unfold years later? This verse is about that moment of profound realization.
God's word isn't just ink on a page; it's a living testament to His faithfulness. In Isaiah 48:6, God urges His people to not just remember the prophecies He'd spoken ('Thou hast heard'), but to actively observe their fulfillment ('see all this'). This isn't passive observation; it's a call to witness the divine power that brings words to reality. The prophecies were often about future events, like the return from Babylonian exile, which were 'hidden things' – beyond human prediction. By seeing these prophecies fulfilled, the people were meant to be convinced of God's unique power and identity as the one true God, setting Him apart from idols.
What if God has 'new things' for you today, things you couldn't possibly guess on your own?
God doesn't just repeat Himself; He reveals things that are genuinely new and previously unknown. Isaiah 48:6 highlights God announcing 'new things' and 'hidden things' that the people 'have not known.' This signifies a divine unveiling, events so profound or intricate that human wisdom or foresight couldn't grasp them. The commentators point to the deliverance from Babylon as a prime example – a future event beyond political calculation. This concept also points forward, with some understanding it to foreshadow the 'new things' of the Gospel, the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Christ, which were hidden mysteries until revealed.
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If God reveals His power and truth, what's our role in it all? The answer might surprise you.
The unfolding of God's Word and His powerful acts isn't meant to be kept a secret. After urging them to 'see all this' – the fulfilled prophecies – God asks, 'will you not declare it?' This is a direct commission. The people are called to be witnesses, to proclaim what they have seen and heard. This declaration serves a dual purpose: it solidifies their own faith by testifying to God's faithfulness, and it serves as a powerful testament to others about the unique power and sovereignty of the one true God, contrasting Him with powerless idols. It’s an active participation in God’s unfolding story.
Understand the original words
haggadti · Hebrew Verb
To make known, proclaim, or tell a message, often referring to God's revelation of His plan or truth to His people. In a biblical context, it implies an authoritative declaration.
netsuroth · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Things that are kept secret, hidden from sight, or not yet revealed. Biblically, it often refers to God's sovereign purposes and future plans that He chooses to disclose to His servants.
Isaiah's words here address the Judean exiles in Babylon, who have witnessed the prophecy of their downfall and the subsequent rise of Persia. God is calling them to see how His foretold 'new things' – the fall of Babylon and their imminent return – are unfolding, proving His unique power and faithfulness amidst their deep despair and disbelief.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared from destruction, much of the land is devastated, leading to a period of hardship and fear for the Judean people.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and deport a significant portion of its population, including King Jehoiachin and many skilled artisans, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II returns, destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, and deports the remaining population to Babylon. This event is a profound trauma, leaving the Judeans in despair and questioning God's power and faithfulness.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, creating a vast empire that eventually challenges and conquers the Babylonian Empire. His rise to power sets the stage for a dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, incorporating its vast territories into the Persian Empire. This conquest opens the door for the exiled Judeans to consider returning to their homeland.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues an edict allowing the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of the Second Temple period.
This passage also challenges the nations to bring forth their witnesses and declare their gods' ability to predict future events, mirroring Isaiah 48:6's call for the people to acknowledge God's prophetic power.
Isaiah 42:9This verse states, 'Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.' This directly parallels Isaiah 48:6's theme of God declaring both past fulfillments and future, previously unknown events.
Jeremiah 29:11While not about prediction, this verse reveals God's hidden intentions for His people – 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.' This echoes the 'hidden things' in Isaiah 48:6, emphasizing God's active, often unseen, work for His people's good.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10This New Testament passage speaks of things God has prepared for those who love Him, 'things that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined.' This resonates with Isaiah 48:6's mention of 'hidden things that you have not known,' highlighting the profound, unseen realities God reveals.
barnesIsaiah 48:6: "Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them."
Thou hast heard - You are witnesses that the prediction was uttered long before it was fulfilled. See all this - Behold how it is all fulfilled. Bear witness that the event is as it was predicted. And will ye not declare it? - Will you not bear witness to the entire fulfillment of the prophecy? God appeals to them as qualified…
bensonIsaiah 48:6: "Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them."
Isaiah 48:6-8 . Thou hast heard, see all this — As thou hast heard all these things, from time to time, seriously consider them. And will not ye declare it — I call you to witness: must you not be forced to acknowledge the truth of what I say? I have showed thee new things from this time — And I have now given thee new predicti…
God isn't just asking them to recall past prophecies; He's pointing to a moment where the fulfillment is so clear, they should be compelled to see it and proclaim it. He reveals "new things," not just future events, but deeply hidden truths and plans that were beyond their current understanding, emphasizing that these revelations are a fresh act of God, completely unknown until this moment.
This passage comes as God addresses the people of Jacob (Israel), who claim to know Him but live hypocritically, not in truth or righteousness. He reminds them of His past declarations and their fulfillment, contrasting this with their stubborn refusal to believe or acknowledge His power, despite ample evidence. Now, God is about to reveal "new things" and "hidden things" that they have never known, specifically pointing towards their future deliverance from Babylonian exile through Cyrus, a pivotal event not previously foretold in such detail.
This passage comes as God addresses the people of Jacob (Israel), who claim to know Him but live hypocritically, not in truth or righteousness. He reminds them of His past declarations and their fulfillment, contrasting this with their stubborn refusal to believe or acknowledge His power, despite ample evidence. Now, God is about to reveal "new things" and "hidden things" that they have never known, specifically pointing towards their future deliverance from Babylonian exile through Cyrus, a pivotal event not previously foretold in such detail.
"“You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known." — God isn't just asking them to recall past prophecies; He's pointing to a moment where the fulfillment is so clear, they should be compelled to see it and proclaim it. He reveals "new things," not…
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Last reviewed October 2026