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Isaiah 41:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 41:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He pursueth them, and passeth on safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He pursueth them, and passeth on safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet.
Isaiah 41:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the peoples renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak; let us come near together to judgment.
2Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow.
3He pursueth them, and passeth on safely, even by a way that he had not gone with his feet.
4Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.
5The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.
6They help every one his neighbor; and [every one] saith to his brother, Be of good courage.
← Isaiah 41:2Isaiah 41:4 →
← Full Chapter 41 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He pursued them, and passed safely. &c.] Went on in his work, pursued his great design in subduing the souls of men, and bringing them to the obedience of Christ; and though he had so many enemies, he “passed on safely”; God did not suffer them to set upon him, to do him any harm, even though he was exposed to perils by sea and land, by thieves and robbers, by his own countrymen and Heathens, in city and country, and even by false brethren; (see <441810>Acts 18:10 <471126>2 Corinthians 11:26), it is in the future tense, “he shall pursue them, he shall pass safely”f785; or in peace: even by the way that he had not gone with his feet; travelling in foreign parts, in distant countries, in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Cyrus had not visited the regions of the Euphrates and westward until he visited them for conquest. So the gospel conquests penetrated regions where the name of God was unknown before.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He pursued them - When they were driven away. He followed on, and devoted them to discomfiture and ruin. And passed safely - Margin, as Hebrew, ‘In peace.’ That is, he followed them uninjured; they had no power to rally, he was not led into ambush, and he was safe as far as he chose to pursue them. Even by the way that he had not gone with his feet - By a way that he had not been accustomed to march; in an unusual journey; in a land of strangers. Cyrus had passed his early years on the east of the Euphrates. In his conquests he crossed that river, and extended his march beyond even the river Halys to the western extremity of Asia, and even to Egypt and the Red Sea. The idea here is, that he…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Pursued - Went on in the pursuit with ease and safety. Even - Through unknown paths. Isaiah 41:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“safely: Heb. in peace, Isa 57:2; Job 5:24 Isaiah 41:4”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The conqueror is now still further described in futures, which might be defined by העיר, and so express a simultaneous past (synchronistic imperfects), but which it is safer to take as standing traits in the picture drawn of the conqueror referred to. "He pursueth them and marcheth in peace by a course which he never trod with his feet." He marches victoriously further and further, shâlōm," i.e., "in safety" (or, as an adjective, safely; Job 21:9), without any one being able to do him harm, by a course (accus. Ges. 138, 1) which he has not been accustomed to tread with his feet (ingredi). Isaiah 41:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification