BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 45› Verse 7

Isaiah 45:7

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 45:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.
Isaiah 45:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4For Jacob my servant`s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;
6that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.
7I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.
8Distil, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up together; I, Jehovah, have created it.
9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
10Woe unto him that saith unto a father, What begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou?
← Isaiah 45:6Isaiah 45:8 →
← Full Chapter 45 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
“I form the light, and create darkness, &c.] Natural light, or that light which was produced at the first creation, and of which the sun is the fountain and source; or day which is light, and night which is darkness, the constant revolutions of which were formed, appointed, and are continued by the Lord, (<010103>Genesis 1:3-5 8:22), moral light, or the light of nature, the rational understanding in man; spiritual light, or the light of grace, by which things spiritual and supernatural are known; the light of joy and comfort from Christ, the sun of righteousness; and the light of eternal glory and happiness: this is all from God, of his producing and giving; and so darkness is his creature;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“form . . . create--yatzar, to give "form" to previously existing matter. Bara, to "create" from nothing the chaotic dark material. light . . . darkness--literally (Gen 1:1-3), emblematical also, prosperity to Cyrus, calamity to Babylon and the nations to be vanquished [GROTIUS] . . . Isaiah refers also to the Oriental belief in two coexistent, eternal principles, ever struggling with each other, light or good, and darkness or evil, Oromasden and Ahrimanen. God, here, in opposition, asserts His sovereignty over both [VITRINGA]. create evil--not moral evil (Jam 1:13), but in contrast to "peace" in the parallel clause, war, disaster (compare Psa 65:7; Amo 3:6).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I form the light, and create darkness - Light, in the Bible, is the emblem of knowledge, innocence, pure religion, and of prosperity in general; and darkness is the emblem of the opposite. Light here seems to be the emblem of peace and prosperity, and darkness the emblem of adversity; and the sentiment of the verse is, that all things prosperous and adverse are under the providential control and direction of God. Of light, it is literally true that God made it; and emblematically true that he is the source of knowledge, prosperity, happiness, and pure religion. Of darkness, it is literally true also that the night is formed by him; that he withdraws the light of the sun, and leaves the earth…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Light - All mens comforts and calamities come from thy hand. Isaiah 45:8”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“45:7 light . . . darkness . . . good times and bad times: Everything is under God’s control.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“form: Gen 1:3-5, Gen 1:17, Gen 1:18; Psa 8:3, Psa 104:20-23; Jer 31:35; Co2 4:6; Jam 1:17 create darkness: Exo 10:21-23, Exo 14:20; Jer 13:16; Eze 32:8; Joe 2:2; Amo 4:13; Nah 1:8; Jde 1:6, Jde 1:13 I make Peace: Isa 10:5, Isa 10:6; Job 2:10, Job 34:29; Psa 29:11, Psa 75:7; Ecc 7:13, Ecc 7:14; Jer 18:7-10; Jer 51:20; Eze 14:15-21; Amo 3:6, Amo 5:6; Act 4:28 Isaiah 45:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 45 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification