Meaning, commentary and cross references
Isaiah 43:18
“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
NIV · New International Version
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
WEB · World English Bible
“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old.
What does Isaiah 43:18 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Isaiah 43:18
Remember ye not the former things,.... Just now referred to, the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, and through the Red sea, and the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in it; for though these things were worthy to be remembered with thankfulness and praise, and to the glory of God, and for the encouragement of faith, yet not in comparison of what was hereafter to be done; meaning, not the redemption from Babylon, unless as a type of spiritual and eternal redemption by Christ; for otherwise there were greater and more wonderful things done, when Israel were brought out of Egypt, than when they were brought out of Babylon; but the great salvation by the Messiah, which exceeds both the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Isaiah 43:14–21
He promises to do yet greater things for them than he had done in the days of old; so that they should not have reason to ask, in a way of complaint, as Gideon did, Where are all the wonders that our fathers told us of? for they should see them repeated, nay, they should see them outdone (Isa 43:18): "Remember not the former things, from them to take occasion, as some do, to undervalue the present things, as if the former days were better than these; no, you may, if you will, comparatively forget them, and yet know enough by the events of your own day to convince you that the Lord is God alone; for, behold, the Lord will do a new thing, no way inferior, both for the wonder and the worth of…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Isaiah 43:18
Remember not former things. Hitherto the Prophet shewed how great was the power of God in delivering the people. He now declares that all the miracles which God wrought in that first redemption were of little importance as compared with the more remarkable miracle which should soon be wrought; that is, that the glory of this second deliverance shall be so great as to throw the former into the shade. Yet he does not mean that the Jews should forget so great a benefit, which he had commanded them to publish in every age, and to inscribe on permanent records; for in his preface to the Law he begins in this manner, "I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Isaiah 43:15–21 (WEB)
15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16The LORD, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters, 17who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick) says: 18“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. 19Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honor me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise.
Cross references
- Isaiah 65:17
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered, nor come into mind.
- 2 Corinthians 3:10
For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.
- 1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
- Deuteronomy 8:2
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
- Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me.
- Jeremiah 16:14–15
“Therefore behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that it will no more be said, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;’
- Deuteronomy 7:18
you shall not be afraid of them. You shall remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:
- Jeremiah 23:7–8
“Therefore, behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that they will no more say, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;’