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Isaiah 41:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 41:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They help every one his neighbor; and [every one] saith to his brother, Be of good courage.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They help every one his neighbor; and [every one] saith to his brother, Be of good courage.
Isaiah 41:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
7So the carpenter encourageth the goldsmith, [and] he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and he fasteneth it with nails, that is should not be moved.
8But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend,
9thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away;
← Isaiah 41:5Isaiah 41:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They helped everyone his neighbour, &c.] By advice and counsel, by the best arguments they could make use of, to withstand the new religion, and defend the old one; to prevent the embracing the one, and relinquishing the other: and everyone said to his brother, be of good courage: or, “be strong”f788; they strengthened one another’s hands in their idolatrous worship, encouraged each other to oppose the prevailing doctrine; urging, that the craft of some was in danger, and the religion of them all at stake, and their gods like to fall into contempt. An instance of this may be seen in Demetrius the craftsman at Ephesus, when the Gospel mightily prevailed there, who stirred up the workmen of…”
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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
“Be of good courage--Be not alarmed because of Cyrus, but make new images to secure the favor of the gods against him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They helped every one his neighbor - The idolatrous nations. The idea is, that they formed confederations to strengthen each other, and to oppose him whom God had raised up to subdue them. The prophet describes a state of general consternation existing among them, when they supposed that all was in danger, and that their security consisted only in confederation; in increased attention to their religion; in repairing their idols and making new ones, and in conciliating the favor and securing the aid of heir gods It was natural for them to suppose that the calamities which were coming upon them by the invasion of Cyrus were the judgments of their gods, for some neglect, or some prevailing…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“41:6 Be strong! The nations put their hope in things that have no strength, objects made by human craftsmen.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“helped: Isa 40:19, Isa 44:12; Sa1 4:7-9, Sa1 5:3-5; Dan 3:1-7; Act 19:24-28 of good courage: Heb. strong, Isa 35:4; Joe 3:9-11 Isaiah 41:7”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 41 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification