Isaiah 1:2

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Hear {H8085}, O heavens {H8064}, and give ear {H238}, O earth {H776}: for the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696}, I have nourished {H1431} and brought up {H7311} children {H1121}, and they have rebelled {H6586} against me.

"Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For ADONAI is speaking. "I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against me.

Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Isaiah 1:2 (KJV)

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Commentary

This verse serves as the opening indictment of God against the nation of Israel (specifically Judah) through the prophet Isaiah. It sets a solemn tone for the entire chapter and much of the book.

Historical and Cultural Context

Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of several kings in Judah (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah), a period marked by outward prosperity but deep spiritual decay, idolatry, injustice, and hypocrisy. This prophecy likely comes early in his ministry, establishing the grounds for God's judgment and eventual restoration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Cosmic Witness: God calls upon all creation ("heavens" and "earth") to witness His case against His people. This emphasizes the gravity and universality of the charge.
  • God's Parental Love: God describes Himself as a loving parent who has "nourished and brought up" His children (Israel). This highlights the intimate and nurturing relationship God intended and provided.
  • Israel's Rebellion: Despite God's care, His children have "rebelled." This is the core accusation – a betrayal of the relationship, a turning away from their loving Father.

Linguistic Insights

  • "LORD" (Hebrew: YHWH or Yahweh) is God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His relationship with Israel.
  • "Rebelled" (Hebrew: פָּשַׁע - pasha') means to transgress, revolt, or rebel. It implies a deliberate act of breaking faith or covenant against an authority or benefactor.

Significance and Application

This verse establishes the fundamental problem Isaiah addresses: the breakdown of the covenant relationship due to Israel's willful disobedience. It serves as a powerful reminder that God views our relationship with Him personally, like that of a parent and child. Our rebellion is not just breaking a rule, but betraying the love and care of our Creator. It calls us to examine our own lives: are we living as grateful, obedient children of God, or are we in rebellion against the One who has nourished and brought us up?

See also Jeremiah 2:12, Jeremiah 2:13.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 32:1

    ¶ Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

  • Deuteronomy 30:19

    I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

  • Micah 1:2

    Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

  • Deuteronomy 4:26

    I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

  • Psalms 50:4

    He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

  • Malachi 1:6

    ¶ A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Micah 6:1

    ¶ Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.

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