who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
These people are defiantly mocking God, daring Him to bring His promised judgment and reveal His plans. They're essentially saying, "Your threats are empty; let's see you actually do something about it!"
who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes right after Isaiah describes people who have grown comfortable in their sin, even defying God to bring judgment. They mock the prophets and their warnings, essentially daring God to punish them quickly so they can see His power—or, in some interpretations, sarcastically urging the coming of the Messiah for salvation. This taunting reveals their deep unbelief and contempt for God's threatened judgment and His ultimate plan for Israel.
Imagine daring someone to hit you, all while believing they're too weak to do it. That's the attitude Isaiah describes. What does this say about our own faith when we face difficult times?
The people Isaiah addresses are caught in a dangerous cycle of sin and disbelief. They've heard the warnings of God's judgment, delivered through the prophets, but instead of repenting, they mock.
The Sinner's Challenge
They cry out, 'Let him be quick, let him speed his work!' (verse 19). This isn't a genuine plea for God to act, but a taunt. It’s like saying, 'You threatened us with punishment, so go ahead, do your worst! We don't believe you can or will.' They're daring God to prove His threats are real.
Rooted in Disbelief
This defiance stems from a deep-seated disbelief. Because God's judgment doesn't fall immediately, they conclude it never will. This is a common human tendency – to dismiss warnings when consequences aren't instantly visible. They're not just ignoring God; they're actively challenging His power and His word. It's a high-handed rebellion rooted in unbelief.
Why would anyone mock the very source of wisdom and salvation? This verse reveals a terrifying spiritual blindness that treats divine truth as a joke.
The taunt doesn't stop at challenging God's power to punish; it extends to mocking His purpose and .
Ask a follow-up
'Let the Counsel Draw Near'
They sarcastically say, 'let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!' (verse 19). The 'counsel' here refers to God's plans, His decrees, and His wisdom – especially concerning His judgments and His ultimate redemptive purposes. By repeating 'the Holy One of Israel,' a title the prophets used with reverence, they imbue it with scorn.
Spiritual Blindness
This is the height of arrogance. They claim they want to 'know' God's counsel, but they mean it derisively. They don't seek understanding; they seek proof of God's impotence. They reject the very source of truth and salvation. In their sin, they've become so blind that they can't recognize the holy, life-giving wisdom offered to them, even mistaking it for a threat they can dare God to fulfill. This scornful attitude towards God's ways is a mark of severe spiritual alienation.
Understand the original words
qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Noun phrase
A covenant title for God that reflects His unique relationship with His people and His role as their Redeemer and Ruler.
This verse captures the taunting defiance of people who, blinded by prosperity and a false sense of security, mock God's warnings and challenge Him to bring His promised judgment and counsel, showing a deep-seated disbelief and rebellion.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Prophecy of Isaiah Delivered
Isaiah delivers his prophecy during a time of relative peace and prosperity in Judah, but also amidst growing social injustice and a sense of national security that breeds complacency.
c. 740-701 BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
The Assyrian Empire is the dominant superpower, exerting significant influence and posing a constant threat to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
A coalition of Syria and northern Israel attempts to force Judah into an alliance against Assyria. Isaiah advises King Ahaz to trust God, not alliances.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians, leading to the exile of its people and serving as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. The city is miraculously spared, but the Assyrian threat looms large.
This passage describes mockers who scoff at God's promised return, asking 'Where is the promise of his coming?' This mirrors the defiant attitude in Isaiah, who are impatiently demanding God's judgment, showing a similar disbelief in His word.
Matthew 27:41-43The chief priests and scribes mock Jesus on the cross, saying 'He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.' This directly echoes the taunting challenge in Isaiah, demanding visible proof of God's power and counsel.
Jeremiah 17:15Jeremiah expresses his frustration with those who mock him, asking, 'Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now!' This shows a parallel to Isaiah's people who openly defy God's prophetic warnings and demand that His promised judgments be brought to pass immediately.
Isaiah 28:15-16Here, the people of Judah claim they have made a 'covenant with death' and a 'pact with Sheol,' believing they are safe from God's discipline. This mindset of arrogant self-assurance and dismissal of divine warnings aligns with the defiant challenge Isaiah records in chapter 5.
Job 21:7-15Job's contemporaries questioned why the wicked prosper and asked God to 'depart from us; we do not want the knowledge of your ways.' This reflects a similar sentiment of rejecting God's counsel and demanding He stay away or prove His power on their terms, just as the people in Isaiah 5 are doing.
barnesIsaiah 5:19: "That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!"
That say ... - They add one sin to another for "the purpose of defying" God, and provoking him to anger. They pretend that he will not punish sin; and hence, they plunge deeply into it, and defy him to punish them. Let him make speed - Let him come quick to punish. And hasten his work - His punishment. That we may see it - A…
gillIsaiah 5:19: "That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!"
That say, let him make speed, and hasten his work,.... Either the punishment of their sins, threatened by the prophets; which, because not speedily and immediately executed, therefore they did not believe it ever would; and in a daring and insolent manner call upon God to inflict it: that we may see it, or feel it; for, as f…
These people are defiantly mocking God, daring Him to bring His promised judgment and reveal His plans. They're essentially saying, "Your threats are empty; let's see you actually do something about it!"
This verse comes right after Isaiah describes people who have grown comfortable in their sin, even defying God to bring judgment. They mock the prophets and their warnings, essentially daring God to punish them quickly so they can see His power—or, in some interpretations, sarcastically urging the coming of the Messiah for salvation. This taunting reveals their deep unbelief and contempt for God's threatened judgment and His ultimate plan for Israel.
This verse comes right after Isaiah describes people who have grown comfortable in their sin, even defying God to bring judgment. They mock the prophets and their warnings, essentially daring God to punish them quickly so they can see His power—or, in some interpretations, sarcastically urging the coming of the Messiah for salvation. This taunting reveals their deep unbelief and contempt for God's threatened judgment and His ultimate plan for Israel.
"who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”" — These people are defiantly mocking God, daring Him to bring His promised judgment and reveal His plans. They're essentially saying, "Your threats are empty; let's see you actually do something about…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026