Isaiah 46:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 46:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry [you]; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry [you]; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.
Isaiah 46:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 46

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry [you]; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And even to your old age I am he, &c.] The same he ever was, the eternal and unchangeable Jehovah; the same in his love and affections; in his sympathy and care; in his power and protection; in his promises, truth, and faithfulness to his people, in their last days, as at the first moment of their conversion; and therefore they are safe; (see <19A227>Psalm 102:27 <390306> Malachi 3:6): and even to hoar hairs will I carry youf911; which is doing more than the most tender parent does, or can, or need to do! God will not leave his people in the decline of life, when pressing infirmities are upon them, and they stand in as much need as ever of being bore up, supported, and carried: wherefore it…”
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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
“old age--As "your"--"you"--"you," are not in the Hebrew, the sentiment is more general than English Version, though of course it includes the Jews from the infancy to the more advanced age of their history (Isa 47:6). I am he--that is the same (Psa 102:27; Joh 8:24; Heb 13:8). I will bear . . . carry--Not only do I not need to be borne and carried Myself, as the idols (Isa 46:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And even to your old age, I am he - Or rather, I am the same. I remain, unchangeably, with the same tenderness, the same affection, the same care. In this the care of God for his people surpasses that of the most tender parent, and the most kind nourisher of the young. The care of the parent naturally dies away as the child reaches manhood, and he is usually removed by death before the son or daughter that excited so much solicitude in infancy and childhood, reaches old age. But not so with God. His people are always the objects of his tender solicitude. Age does not make them less dependent, and experience only teaches them more and more their need of his sustaining grace. The argument here…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“even to your: Isa 41:4, Isa 43:13, Isa 43:25; Psa 92:14, Psa 102:26, Psa 102:27; Mal 2:16, Mal 3:6; Rom 11:29; Heb 1:12, Heb 13:8; Jam 1:17 even to hoar: Psa 48:14, Psa 71:18 Isaiah 46:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification