Isaiah 48:1

¶ Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness.

Hear {H8085} ye this, O house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290}, which are called {H7121} by the name {H8034} of Israel {H3478}, and are come forth {H3318} out of the waters {H4325} of Judah {H3063}, which swear {H7650} by the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}, and make mention {H2142} of the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, but not in truth {H571}, nor in righteousness {H6666}.

Listen to this, house of Ya'akov, called by the name of Isra'el, who have come from the spring of Y'hudah, who swear by the name of ADONAI and invoke the God of Isra'el! - it is not sincerely or justifiably

“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—

Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness

Commentary on Isaiah 48:1 KJV

Isaiah 48:1 opens a powerful chapter of rebuke and revelation within the prophet Isaiah's larger message. It addresses the nation of Israel, specifically the "house of Jacob" and those "come forth out of the waters of Judah," emphasizing their lineage and identity as God's chosen people. This verse immediately highlights a critical spiritual condition: while they outwardly acknowledge the Lord by swearing by His name and mentioning the God of Israel, their devotion is "not in truth, nor in righteousness."

Historical and Cultural Context

This prophecy from Isaiah is directed towards the Israelites, likely during or in anticipation of their Babylonian exile. It's a period when the people of Judah faced severe consequences for their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. Despite being called by God's name and having a rich spiritual heritage, their religious practices had become largely superficial. Isaiah's message serves as a divine indictment, exposing the deep chasm between their outward religious observance and their inward spiritual reality. The prophet aims to strip away their false sense of security based on their ancestry, calling them to confront their actual moral and spiritual bankruptcy before God reveals His plan for their future.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Hypocrisy: The primary theme is the stark contrast between outward religious profession and inward spiritual corruption. Israel claimed to be God's people, engaging in practices like swearing by His name, yet their hearts were far from Him. This highlights a universal challenge: the danger of an outward show of piety without genuine transformation.
  • Covenant Relationship and Disobedience: God addresses them by their sacred names ("Jacob," "Israel," "Judah"), reminding them of their special covenant relationship with Him. However, their actions demonstrate a profound breach of that covenant, living in unrighteousness despite their privileged status.
  • God's Unwavering Standard: The phrase "not in truth, nor in righteousness" underscores God's demand for genuine faith and moral integrity. He does not accept mere lip service; He seeks sincerity and a life that reflects His character.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "not in truth, nor in righteousness" captures the essence of Israel's spiritual failure. In Hebrew, "truth" is 'emet (אֱמֶת), implying faithfulness, reliability, and sincerity. "Righteousness" is tzedaqah (צְדָקָה), which refers to moral uprightness, justice, and adherence to God's standards. The conjunction of these two words emphasizes a total lack of both internal sincerity and external conformity to God's will. Their religious acts were empty rituals, devoid of the genuine heart attitude and ethical conduct that God requires.

Practical Application

Isaiah 48:1 serves as a timeless warning against nominal faith. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own hearts:

  • Authenticity in Faith: Are our declarations of faith and participation in religious activities matched by genuine sincerity in our hearts and righteousness in our daily lives? God desires true worship in spirit and truth.
  • Beyond Rituals: It reminds us that religious rituals or traditions, while potentially valuable, are meaningless if not accompanied by a transformed heart and a commitment to living righteously.
  • Self-Examination: This verse calls for honest self-assessment. Do we merely "swear by the name of the LORD" or do we truly live by His word and seek to please Him in all things?

Ultimately, Isaiah 48:1 sets the stage for God's subsequent revelation of His plan, not based on Israel's merit, but on His own sovereign will and commitment to His name.

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.

  • Jeremiah 4:2

    And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

  • Psalms 68:26

    Bless ye God in the congregations, [even] the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

  • Isaiah 65:16

    That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.

  • Genesis 32:28

    And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

  • Matthew 15:8

    This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.

  • Matthew 15:9

    But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

  • Deuteronomy 6:13

    Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
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