Isaiah 45:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 45:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou?
Isaiah 45:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Woe unto him that saith unto his father, what begettest thou? &c.] That quarrels with him, and complains of him, because he was not of the other sex, or not so wise, or so rich, or so handsome, as others: or to the woman; disdaining to call her mother: what hast thou brought forth? equally as absurd and impious it was in the Jews to quarrel with Christ for his conversation with sinners, and the reception of them; or for the regeneration of such persons; or to find fault with God for the conversion of the Gentiles, and resent it, and be angry at it, as they were; (see <451019>Romans 10:19,20 <520216>1 Thessalonians 2:16).”
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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
“If it be wrong for a child, born in less favorable circumstances, to upbraid his parents with having given him birth, a fortiori, it is, to upbraid God for His dealings with us. Rather translate, "a father . . . a woman." The Jews considered themselves exclusively God's children and were angry that God should adopt the Gentiles besides. Woe to him who says to one already a father, Why dost thou beget other children? [HORSLEY].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wo unto him that saith unto his father ... - It is wicked and foolish for a son to complain of his father or mother in regard to his birth, or of his rank and condition of life. Probably the idea is, that if a child is by his birth placed in circumstances less advantageous than others, he would have no right to com plain of his parents, or to regard them as having acted improperly in having entered into the marriage relation. In like manner it would be not less improper, certainly, to complain of God who has brought us into existence by his own power, and who acts as a sovereign in the various allotments of our lives. The design is to rebuke the spirit of complaining against the allotments…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 27:16; Mal 1:6; Heb 12:9 Isaiah 45:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification