Lexical Summary ish: Man, husband, person, individual Original Word: אִישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance show one self a man Denominative from 'iysh; to be a man, i.e. Act in a manly way -- show (one) self a man. see HEBREW 'iysh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina denominative verb from ish, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [אשׁשׁ] (compare  found, establish) Hithpo`el וְהִתְאשָׁ֑שׁוּ Isaiah 46:8 (derived from above by ᵑ7 Jerome Hi Kn De MV, shew yourselves firm, but) read perhaps הִתְבּשָׁ֑שׁוּ Lag Che, see בּוֺשׁ (Thes explanation as denominative from אִישׁ; on other views compare Di). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 377, אִישׁ, occurs only in Isaiah 46:8 yet carries enduring significance. While elsewhere Scripture uses several Hebrew words for “man,” this rare form appears in a prophetic summons that blends masculine imagery with a call to moral courage. The term therefore stands at the intersection of personhood, valor, and repentance, providing a concise theology of godly resolve. Context in Isaiah 46 Isaiah 46 contrasts lifeless idols with the living God who carries His people from birth to old age (Isaiah 46:3-4). Into that polemic, verse 8 inserts a command: “Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!”. The single word אִישׁ undergirds the phrase “be brave,” linking manliness with steadfast faith in the covenant Lord. The prophet is not praising human strength for its own sake but urging sinners to recover true identity by returning to YHWH’s sovereign care. Theological Themes • Courage grounded in remembrance True bravery flows from recalling God’s acts (Psalm 77:11; Revelation 2:5). Isaiah frames courage as a function of memory, not machismo. Forgetfulness breeds idolatry; remembrance awakens manly resolve to trust God alone. • Repentance and identity By addressing “transgressors,” the text shows that repentance is the pathway to restored manhood. Sin diminishes human dignity; turning back to God reinstates it (Jeremiah 3:12-14). • Contrast with idols The idols of Babylon must be carried (Isaiah 46:1-2). In striking irony, those who once stooped under lifeless gods are told to “show yourselves men.” Genuine masculinity, then, is inseparable from worship of the living God. Biblical Manhood and Courage Isaiah’s imperative resonates with other Scriptural calls to act courageously: • “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9). Across both Testaments, manliness is defined not by cultural standards but by steadfast, obedient faith. Intertextual Resonances • Hebrew vocabulary spectrum ֹאָדָם often emphasizes humanity’s origin from dust (Genesis 2:7); אֱנוֹשׁ underscores weakness (Psalm 8:4); גֶּבֶר highlights strength (Job 38:3). The isolated use of אִישׁ in Isaiah 46:8 fuses strength with moral resolve, supplying a concise picture of redeemed manhood. • Covenant remembrance The call echoes Deuteronomy’s repeated “remember” (Deuteronomy 5:15; 8:2). As Israel once stood at Sinai to hear the covenant, they must now “stand like men” amid exile’s pressures, confident that the Lord’s promises remain unchanged. Christological Implications Jesus Christ, the perfect Man, embodies the courage Isaiah demands. He “set His face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) and conquered idolatry’s power through the cross (Colossians 2:15). Believers, united to Him, are enabled to “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:24), fulfilling the prophetic ideal of true manhood. Pastoral and Ministry Application 1. Discipleship: Use Isaiah 46:8 to encourage believers—men and women alike—to cultivate courage rooted in God’s faithfulness rather than self-reliance. Conclusion Though occurring only once, אִישׁ in Isaiah 46:8 summons every generation to courageous, repentant faith in the living God. Rooted in remembrance and fulfilled in Christ, it remains a timeless charge to “stand firm in the faith” and live out authentic, Scripture-shaped manhood and discipleship. Forms and Transliterations וְהִתְאֹשָׁ֑שׁוּ והתאששו vehitoShashu wə·hiṯ·’ō·šā·šū wəhiṯ’ōšāšūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 46:8 HEB: זִכְרוּ־ זֹ֖את וְהִתְאֹשָׁ֑שׁוּ הָשִׁ֥יבוּ פוֹשְׁעִ֖ים KJV: Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again INT: Remember yourselves men Recall transgressors 1 Occurrence |
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