Isaiah 45:22

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 45:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Look unto me, &c.] And not to idols, nor to any creature, nor to the works of your hands; to your own righteousness and doings; to your wounds; to your tears and humiliations; to your own hearts and frames; to your graces and the exercise of them; all must be looked off of, and Christ only looked unto by a direct act of faith, for righteousness, for pardon, for all supplies of grace, and for glory and eternal happiness. He is to be looked unto as the Son of God, whose glory is the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; as the only Mediator between God and man; as the Saviour and Redeemer of lost sinners; and…”
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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
“Look . . . and be ye saved--The second imperative expresses the result which will follow obedience to the first (Gen 42:18); ye shall be saved (Joh 3:14-15). Num 21:9 : "If a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass he lived." What so simple as a look? Not do something, but look to the Saviour (Act 16:30-31). Believers look by faith, the eye of the soul. The look is that of one turning (see Margin) to God, as at once "Just and the Saviour" (Isa 45:21), that is, the look of conversion (Psa 22:27).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Look unto me, and be ye saved - This is said in view of the declaration made in the previous verse, that he is a just God and a Saviour. It is because he sustains this character that all are invited to look to him; and the doctrine is, that the fact that God is at the same time just and yet a Saviour, or can save consistently with his justice, is an argument why they should took to him, and confide in him. If he is at the same time just - true to his promises; righteous in his dealings; maintaining the honor of his law and government, and showing his hatred of sin; and also merciful, kind, and forgiving, it is a ground of confidence in him, and we should rejoice in the privilege of looking…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“45:22 Let all the world look to me: All humanity needs to seek the Lord, the true God who created all things, while he may be found (55:6). • In God there is salvation, the only hope for all of humanity (45:8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Look: Num 21:8, Num 21:9; Ch2 20:12; Psa 22:17, Psa 65:5; Mic 7:7; Zac 12:10; Joh 3:13-16, Joh 6:40; Heb 12:2 for: Isa 45:21; Joh 10:28-30; Tit 2:13; Pe2 1:1 Isaiah 45:23”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is in accordance with this holy loving will that the cry is published in Isa 45:22 : "Turn unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth; for I am God, and none else." The first imperative is hortatory, the second promising (cf., Isa 36:16 and Isa 8:9): Jehovah desires both, viz., the conversion of all men to Himself; and through this their salvation, ad this His gracious will, which extends to all mankind, will not rest till its object has been fully accomplished. Isa 45:23 "By myself have I sworn, a word has gone out of a mouth of righteousness, and will not return, That to me every knee shall bend, every tongue swear." Swearing by Himself (see Gen 22:16), God pledges what He…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification