Isaiah 54:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 54:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall because of thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall because of thee.
Isaiah 54:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 54

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall because of thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me, &c.] Not by the Lord, by his command or order to do his will, and execute his pleasure, which sometimes was the case, as in Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, and others; but so it shall not be, when the enemies of Christ and his people gather together against them in the latter day; this will be by the means of three unclean spirits like frogs that will come out of the mouth of the dragon, beast, and false prophet; even spirits of devils, Popish priests, and Jesuits, who will instigate, stir up, and get together the antichristian kings of the earth to the battle of almighty God, (<661614>Revelation 16:14,16). Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben…”
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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
“gather together, &c.--that is, If it should happen that enemies "gather together" against thee (Psa 2:2), they will not have been sent by Me (compare Hos 8:4) as instruments of My wrath (nay, it will be with My disapproval); for "whosoever shall gather together," &c. (Psa 59:3). fall for thy sake--rather, "shall come over to thy side" [LOWTH]. Literally, "fall to thee" (Jer 21:9; Jer 39:9). To be fully fulfilled to Jerusalem hereafter (Zac 14:16).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, they shall surely gather together - The idea in this verse is, that the enemies of the people of God would indeed form alliances and compacts against them, but it would not be under the divine direction, and they would not be able to prevail against the church. The word rendered here ‘gather together’ (גור gûr) means properly ‘to turn aside from the way’; then to sojourn for a time; then to assemble against anyone. It seems here to refer to the gathering together of hostile forces to form an alliance, or to wage war. Great variety, however, has prevailed in the interpretation of the passage, but this seems to be the sense of it. Jerome renders it, ‘Lo, a foreigner shall come who was…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold - It is true some will combine and make an attempt against thee. But - Without any such commission from me, as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar had. Isaiah 54:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“54:15 God gives assurance that no nation can defeat his people . The Lord has promised to protect them, just as he had promised Abraham (Gen 12:3; see Isa 49:25).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they shall: Ezek. 38:8-23; Joe 3:9-14; Rev 16:14, Rev 19:19-21, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:9 shall fall: Isa 43:3, Isa 43:4, Isa 43:14; Psa 37:12, Psa 37:13; Zac 2:8, Zac 12:3, Zac 12:9, Zac 14:2, Zac 14:3 Isaiah 54:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification