New International Version who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, New Living Translation I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers. I cause the wise to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools. English Standard Version who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish, Berean Standard Bible who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, Berean Literal Bible breaking the omens of devisers, and making fools of those devining; the One turning the wise ones backward, and making their knowledge foolish; King James Bible That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; New King James Version Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; New American Standard Bible Causing the omens of diviners to fail, Making fools of fortune-tellers; Causing wise men to turn back And making their knowledge ridiculous, NASB 1995 Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness, NASB 1977 Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back, And turning their knowledge into foolishness, Legacy Standard Bible Causing the omens of boasters to be annulled, And making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to turn back, And making foolishness out of their knowledge, Amplified Bible Frustrating the signs and confounding the omens of boasters (false prophets), Making fools out of fortune-tellers, Counteracting the wise And making their knowledge ridiculous, Berean Annotated Bible who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, Christian Standard Bible who destroys the omens of the false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who confounds the wise and makes their knowledge foolishness; Holman Christian Standard Bible who destroys the omens of the false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who confounds the wise and makes their knowledge foolishness; American Standard Version that frustrateth the signs of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; Contemporary English Version I make liars of false prophets and fools of fortunetellers. I take human wisdom and turn it into nonsense. English Revised Version that frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish: GOD'S WORD® Translation I cause the signs of false prophets to fail and make fools of fortunetellers. I make wise men retreat and turn their knowledge into foolishness. Good News Translation I make fools of fortunetellers and frustrate the predictions of astrologers. The words of the wise I refute and show that their wisdom is foolishness. International Standard Version who frustrates the omens of idle talkers, and drives diviners mad, who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish; NET Bible who frustrates the omens of the empty talkers and humiliates the omen readers, who overturns the counsel of the wise men and makes their advice seem foolish, New Heart English Bible who foils the omens of the empty talkers, and makes fools of diviners; who turns sages back, and makes their knowledge foolish; Webster's Bible Translation That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewho foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, World English Bible who frustrates the signs of the liars, and makes diviners mad; who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMaking void the tokens of devisers, "" And makes diviners mad, "" Turning the wise backward, "" And makes their knowledge foolish. Berean Literal Bible breaking the omens of devisers, and making fools of those devining; the One turning the wise ones backward, and making their knowledge foolish; Young's Literal Translation Making void the tokens of devisers, And diviners it maketh mad, Turning the wise backward, And their knowledge it maketh foolish. Smith's Literal Translation Bringing to naught the signs at vain boasters, and he will make those divining, foolish; turning back the wise backward, and he will frustrate their knowledge. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat make void the tokens of diviners, and make the soothsayers mad. That turn the wise backward, and that, make their knowledge foolish. Catholic Public Domain Version I make the signs of the diviners useless, and I turn the seers to madness. I turn the wise backwards, and make their knowledge into foolishness. New American Bible I bring to nought the omens of babblers, make fools of diviners, Turn back the wise and make their knowledge foolish. New Revised Standard Version who frustrates the omens of liars, and makes fools of diviners; who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho makes void the signs of the diviners and despises their divinations; who turns wise men backward and makes their knowledge foolish; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He brings to nothing the signs of mediums, and their omens I despise, turning back wise men on their backside, and I cause their knowledge to fall OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917That frustrateth the tokens of the imposters, And maketh diviners mad; That turneth wise men backward, And maketh their knowledge foolish; Brenton Septuagint Translation Who else will frustrate the tokens of those that have divining spirits, and prophecies from the heart of man? turning the wise back, and making their counsel foolishness; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jerusalem to Be Restored…24Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth, 25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, 26who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’… Cross References who foils the signs of false prophets Deuteronomy 13:1-3 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, … and makes fools of diviners Ezekiel 13:6-9 They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. … Daniel 2:27-28 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these: Isaiah 19:3 Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. who confounds the wise 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Job 5:12-13 He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” and turns their knowledge into nonsense Romans 1:21-22 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Jeremiah 50:36 A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. Jeremiah 51:57 I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts. Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Isaiah 47:13-14 You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. / Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Treasury of Scripture That frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad; that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish; frustrateth Isaiah 47:12-14 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail… 1 Kings 22:11,12,22-25,37 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them… 2 Chronicles 18:11,34 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king… maketh Exodus 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. Exodus 2:19-12 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock… Exodus 4:7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. turneth Isaiah 19:11-14 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? … Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 2 Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Jump to Previous Arts Backward Boasters Causing Diviners Draw Fail Foolish Fools Frustrates Frustrateth Future Heads Liars Mad Makes Maketh Making Omens Overthrows Prophets Secret Signs Tokens Turneth Turning Turns Void Wise WordJump to Next Arts Backward Boasters Causing Diviners Draw Fail Foolish Fools Frustrates Frustrateth Future Heads Liars Mad Makes Maketh Making Omens Overthrows Prophets Secret Signs Tokens Turneth Turning Turns Void Wise WordIsaiah 44 1. God comforts the church with his promises7. The vanity of idols 9. And folly of idol makers 21. He exhorts to praise God for his redemption and omnipotence who foils the signs of false prophets God exposes those who claim divine authority while speaking lies. Their predictions, schemes, and religious displays cannot stand against the Lord who alone declares the end from the beginning. Israel had often been harmed by prophets who promised peace while ignoring covenant sin, but God would prove their messages false through His righteous acts. Deu 13:1-3 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you… and makes fools of diviners, Divination sought hidden knowledge through forbidden spiritual means rather than through submission to God’s revealed word. The Lord had warned Israel not to imitate the surrounding nations in such practices. He overturns the claims of diviners and shows that no occult power can uncover or alter His purposes. Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream likewise demonstrated that mysteries belong to God, not to human techniques or pagan spirituality. Ezk 13:6-9 They see false visions and speak lying divinations.… who confounds the wise Human wisdom becomes powerless when it exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The advisers of Babylon, renowned for learning and counsel, could not prevent the empire’s eventual downfall or comprehend the Lord’s plan to restore His people. God repeatedly chooses means that humble human pride, revealing that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. 1Co 1:19-20 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;… and turns their knowledge into nonsense, Knowledge detached from truth and obedience cannot deliver, guide, or save. God scattered the builders of Babel (confusion) when human ambition sought independence from Him, and He would frustrate the counsel of those who trusted in Babylon’s strength and wisdom. The Lord’s word remains sure while every boastful claim of human independence is brought to nothing. Rom 1:21-22 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him… Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. False Prophets Individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but deliver messages that are not from Him. In Isaiah's time, these were often people who led others away from the true worship of Yahweh. 3. Diviners Practitioners of divination, attempting to gain insight into the future or the unknown through supernatural means. This practice was condemned in Israelite law. 4. Wise Men In the context of this verse, these are individuals who rely on human wisdom and understanding, often in opposition to divine revelation. 5. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies. Judah was often led astray by false prophets and diviners. Teaching Points Discernment in Spiritual MattersBelievers must exercise discernment to distinguish between true and false teachings. This requires a deep understanding of Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The Futility of Human Wisdom Human wisdom, when it stands in opposition to God, is ultimately futile. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and submission to His will. God's Sovereignty Over Deception God has the power to expose and nullify the plans of those who deceive others. Trust in God's sovereignty provides comfort and assurance to believers. The Importance of Prophetic Truth Prophetic truth is vital for guiding God's people. Believers should seek out and adhere to teachings that align with Scripture. Reliance on God's Revelation In a world filled with competing voices, believers must rely on God's revelation through Scripture as the ultimate source of truth. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 44:25?2. How does Isaiah 44:25 reveal God's power over false prophets and diviners? 3. What does "frustrates the signs of the false prophets" teach about God's sovereignty? 4. How can Isaiah 44:25 encourage us to discern truth in today's world? 5. Compare Isaiah 44:25 with Deuteronomy 18:20-22 on false prophecy. What similarities exist? 6. How can we apply God's truth in Isaiah 44:25 to our daily lives? 7. How does Isaiah 44:25 challenge the validity of modern-day prophets and diviners? 8. What historical context supports the claims made in Isaiah 44:25? 9. How does Isaiah 44:25 reflect God's sovereignty over human wisdom? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 44? What Does Isaiah 44:25 Mean Who foils the signs of false prophetsIsaiah pictures the LORD actively “foiling” the dramatic forecasts of counterfeit messengers. • He did this in Elijah’s day when Baal’s prophets called down fire all morning but “there was no voice, no one answered” (1 Kings 18:26). • Deuteronomy 18:21-22 reminds us that when a word does not come to pass “that is a word the LORD has not spoken.” The standard is perfect accuracy; God alone meets it. • In Acts 13:8-11 Paul rebuked Elymas the sorcerer, and the man was struck blind—an immediate sign that exposed false spiritual claims. The verse reassures believers that God still intercepts and overturns deceptive predictions, safeguarding His people from being misled. and makes fools of diviners Diviners tried to read omens, stars, or animal entrails, but God flips their “wisdom” into ridicule. • Pharaoh’s magicians copied Moses until “their secret arts” failed (Exodus 8:18-19). • Isaiah previously warned, “They are full of diviners like the Philistines” (Isaiah 2:6), yet none could alter Judah’s fate. • In Daniel 2:10-12 Babylon’s astrologers admitted, “No king… has ever asked such a difficult thing.” God then gave Daniel the dream and its meaning, embarrassing the court experts. When the supernatural is sought apart from the Lord, it ends in humiliation, for only God reveals truth. who confounds the wise Human brilliance unanchored to God ends in confusion. • “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,” Paul quotes Isaiah in 1 Corinthians 1:19, showing the principle still stands. • Job 5:12-13 notes that God “frustrates the devices of the crafty… He catches the wise in their craftiness.” • The tower builders at Babel were “confounded” (Genesis 11:7-8) when God scattered their languages. Earthly intellect has limits; when it sets itself against God’s purposes, He effortlessly turns it upside down. and turns their knowledge into nonsense The final phrase shows complete reversal—what culture celebrates as enlightenment crumbles under divine scrutiny. • Romans 1:22 describes those who “professing to be wise, they became fools.” • Jeremiah 8:9 laments that the “wise men… rejected the word of the LORD, and what wisdom do they have?” • In Matthew 11:25 Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truths “from the wise and learned” while revealing them to the humble. God does not merely out-argue worldly knowledge; He reduces it to incoherence so that His revelation shines unmistakably. summary Isaiah 44:25 showcases the LORD’s unrivaled supremacy over every rival voice—prophets, diviners, scholars, sages. He actively intercepts false predictions, exposes occult pretenders, overturns proud intellects, and reduces self-made theories to empty babble. The verse invites us to trust His Word above every other claim, confident that the God who speaks infallibly also guards His people from deception. (25) That frustrateth the tokens of the liars.—Better, of the praters—i.e., the false prophets of Babylon. It is implied that they, after the manner of the false seers of Judah (Jeremiah 23:16-17), predicted for the kings of Babylon a time of prosperity and peace.Verse 25. - That frustrateth the tokens of the liars; i.e. "who brings to nought the prognostications of the astrologers and soothsayers, that pretend falsely to a knowledge of future events" (see Isaiah 49:13; and comp. Jeremiah 29:8, 9); and maketh diviners mad; i.e. "shows them to be thole or madmen" (see Job 12:17). That turneth wise men backward; i.e. "repulses them - puts them to flight." Pretenders to wisdom, rather than truly wise men, are meant.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew who foilsמֵפֵר֙ (mê·p̄êr) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate the signs אֹת֣וֹת (’ō·ṯō·wṯ) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence of false prophets בַּדִּ֔ים (bad·dîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 907: A brag, lie, a liar and makes fools of יְהוֹלֵ֑ל (yə·hō·w·lêl) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1984: To shine diviners, וְקֹסְמִ֖ים (wə·qō·sə·mîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7080: To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine who confounds מֵשִׁ֧יב (mê·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again the wise חֲכָמִ֛ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2450: Wise and turns their knowledge וְדַעְתָּ֥ם (wə·ḏa‘·tām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1847: Knowledge into nonsense, יְשַׂכֵּֽל׃ (yə·śak·kêl) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5528: To be foolish or a fool Additonal Resources Isaiah 44:25 Blue Letter BibleIsaiah 44:25 Bible Gateway Isaiah 44:25 Bible.com Isaiah 44:25 NIV |
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