Isaiah 58:1

KJV

¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

KJV (with Strong's)

Cry {H7121} aloud {H1627}, spare {H2820} not, lift {H7311} up thy voice {H6963} like a trumpet {H7782}, and shew {H5046} my people {H5971} their transgression {H6588}, and the house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290} their sins {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shout out loud! Don't hold back! Raise your voice like a shofar! Proclaim to my people what rebels they are, to the house of Ya'akov their sins.

Berean Standard Bible

“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.

American Standard Version

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 58:1 is a potent divine mandate to the prophet, commanding an unreserved and forceful proclamation of Israel's spiritual hypocrisy and moral failures. This verse serves as the foundational call for a chapter that rigorously critiques superficial religious observance, particularly fasting, and demands a sincere return to genuine righteousness, social justice, and heartfelt obedience to God's covenant. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to truth and His desire for His people's true repentance and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a new prophetic oracle, sharply contrasting with the preceding chapter's themes of God's comfort and the eventual blessedness of the righteous (e.g., [Isaiah 57:18-19](/isaiah/57-18 "Isaiah 57:18-19 - God's Comfort for the Contrite")). While [Isaiah 57](/isaiah/57 "Isaiah 57 - God's Comfort and Judgment") ends with a promise of peace for those far and near, [Isaiah 58](/isaiah/58 "Isaiah 58 - True Fasting and Righteousness") immediately pivots to a stern rebuke, revealing the deep-seated sin that prevents such peace from being fully realized. The prophet is tasked with exposing the disconnect between Israel's outward religious devotion—specifically their fasting practices detailed in the subsequent verses—and their inward moral corruption and social injustice. This chapter, therefore, acts as a bridge, demonstrating why Israel's current state of spiritual malaise persists despite their religious efforts, setting the stage for the confession and redemption found in [Isaiah 59](/isaiah/59 "Isaiah 59 - Confession of Sin and God's Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact historical setting is debated among scholars (pre-exilic, exilic, or post-exilic), the message strongly resonates with the post-exilic period, when the returned exiles were rebuilding the temple and re-establishing religious practices. There was a tendency to focus on external rituals, like fasting and temple worship, without accompanying internal transformation or adherence to the ethical demands of the Law. The "house of Jacob" refers to the entire nation of Israel, emphasizing the collective nature of their transgression. The people believed that their religious observances should naturally lead to God's favor and blessings, yet they experienced hardship. This verse reveals God's perspective: their rituals were empty because they were devoid of true justice, compassion, and obedience to the covenant, particularly in their treatment of the poor and oppressed, as detailed in [Isaiah 58:3-7](/isaiah/58-3 "Isaiah 58:3-7 - The Nature of True Fasting"). The prophet's role as a "trumpet" aligns with the ancient Near Eastern practice of using such instruments for urgent warnings, summoning assemblies, or declaring war, underscoring the gravity of the divine message.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes that permeate [Isaiah 58](/isaiah/58 "Isaiah 58 - True Fasting and Righteousness") and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Demand for Truth and Transparency**, as God insists that His people's sins be clearly exposed, not hidden. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Nature of Prophetic Ministry**, portraying the prophet as God's fearless mouthpiece, commissioned to deliver an uncompromised message, regardless of its unpopularity. This is a call to courageous communication of divine truth, a theme echoed in other prophetic calls, such as that of [Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:7-10](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7-10 - Jeremiah's Call and Commission"). Thirdly, it sets the stage for the central theme of the chapter: the **Critique of Superficial Piety**. The command to "shew my people their transgression" directly addresses the disconnect between outward religious performance and inward spiritual reality, challenging the notion that ritual alone can appease God without accompanying justice and righteousness, a common prophetic concern found in passages like [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Rejection of Empty Worship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cry (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** This word (H7121) signifies a loud, public, and often urgent proclamation or summons. It's not a whisper or a gentle suggestion, but a forceful declaration meant to grab attention. In this context, it implies a divine imperative for the prophet to "call out" or "proclaim" God's message with maximum volume and clarity, ensuring it cannot be ignored. It carries the weight of a formal announcement.
* **Trumpet (Hebrew, _shôwphâr'_):** The term (H7782) refers to a ram's horn, a "cornet" or "curved horn," used in ancient Israel for various purposes: signaling war, summoning assemblies, marking new moons, or announcing significant events. Its sound is clear, piercing, and attention-grabbing. The comparison to a trumpet underscores the need for the prophet's voice to be unmistakable, loud, and to penetrate the spiritual deafness of the people, demanding immediate notice and response.
* **Transgression (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** This powerful word (H6588) denotes a deliberate revolt, rebellion, or breach of faith against God. It is more than a simple mistake; it implies a conscious act of defiance, a breaking of the covenant relationship. By using this term alongside "sins" (chaṭṭâʼâh, which means "missing the mark"), the text highlights both intentional rebellion and general moral failure, emphasizing the gravity and comprehensive nature of Israel's spiritual departure from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cry aloud, spare not":** This opening imperative establishes the divine command for the prophet's unreserved and courageous delivery of the message. "Cry aloud" (qârâʼ) demands a public, forceful declaration, while "spare not" (châsak) means to hold nothing back, to not be silent, to deliver the full, unedited, and potentially uncomfortable truth without fear or compromise. It signifies an urgent, non-negotiable mandate.
* **"lift up thy voice like a trumpet":** This vivid simile intensifies the previous command, specifying the manner of proclamation. The prophet's voice is to be as clear, piercing, and attention-grabbing as a shofar blast. Just as a trumpet signals an alarm or a significant event, so too must the prophet's message cut through the spiritual apathy and self-deception of the people, demanding their immediate and undivided attention.
* **"and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins":** This clause reveals the precise content and purpose of the loud, trumpet-like proclamation. The prophet is to "shew" (nâgad, "to manifest," "to announce boldly") God's people (ʻam) their "transgression" (peshaʻ, deliberate rebellion) and the "house of Jacob" (bayith Yaʻăqôb, the entire nation of Israel) their "sins" (chaṭṭâʼâh, missing the mark, moral failure). This is a direct, unsparing exposé of their spiritual and moral failings, designed to bring them to a place of recognition and repentance.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 58:1 is rich in literary devices that amplify its urgent message. The dominant device is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in "Cry aloud," "spare not," "lift up," and "shew." These are direct commands from God to the prophet, conveying the non-negotiable and immediate nature of the divine will. The verse also employs a powerful **Simile** in "lift up thy voice like a trumpet," comparing the prophet's voice to a shofar blast. This comparison effectively communicates the desired qualities of the proclamation: piercing, clear, loud, and attention-demanding, much like an alarm. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is evident in the latter part of the verse: "shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the message by repeating the core idea (exposing sin) using slightly different but complementary terms ("my people" / "house of Jacob"; "transgression" / "sins"), adding emphasis and comprehensive scope to the indictment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 58:1 powerfully articulates God's character as a holy and righteous God who cannot tolerate hypocrisy or unrighteousness among His covenant people. It reveals His unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even when it requires a severe rebuke of those He loves. The divine command to "shew my people their transgression" underscores the theological principle that true repentance begins with a clear recognition and confession of sin, a process God initiates through His prophetic messengers. This verse also highlights the crucial role of the prophet as God's faithful watchman, tasked with delivering uncomfortable truths for the sake of the people's spiritual health and ultimate restoration. It is a testament to God's persistent love, which, though expressed in stern warning, ultimately aims for His people's return to covenant faithfulness and the blessings that flow from genuine obedience.

* [Ezekiel 3:17](/ezekiel/3-17 "Ezekiel 3:17 - Ezekiel as Watchman")
* [Jeremiah 1:7-10](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7-10 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Commission")
* [Hosea 8:1](/hosea/8-1 "Hosea 8:1 - Blowing the Trumpet of Warning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 58:1 serves as a profound challenge to both those who speak on behalf of God and those who claim to follow Him. For leaders and communicators of faith, it is a stark reminder that the divine message must be delivered with courage, clarity, and uncompromising truth, even when it confronts deeply ingrained sin or popular complacency. There is no room for watering down the gospel or avoiding difficult conversations for the sake of comfort or acceptance. For every believer, this verse calls for a radical self-examination: are our religious practices merely outward displays, or do they flow from a heart genuinely committed to God's righteousness and justice? True faith demands not just ritual, but a transformed life that actively seeks to address injustice, care for the vulnerable, and live in integrity before God and humanity. The "trumpet call" of this verse echoes through the ages, urging us to confront our own "transgressions and sins" and align our lives fully with God's holy standards, recognizing that genuine spiritual vitality is measured by our inward devotion and outward demonstration of love and justice, not by superficial piety.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be engaging in "outward piety" without corresponding "inward transformation" or true justice?**
* **Am I willing to speak truth boldly, like a trumpet, when God calls me to, even if it is unpopular or challenging?**
* **How can I better align my religious practices with a genuine pursuit of righteousness and social justice, as Isaiah 58 clearly advocates?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "house of Jacob" in this verse?**

Answer: The "house of Jacob" (H1004, _bayith_ and H3290, _Yaʻăqôb_) is a common biblical designation for the entire nation of Israel, encompassing all twelve tribes. In this context, it emphasizes that the divine rebuke is not directed at a specific segment or group, but at the collective people of God. It highlights that the spiritual hypocrisy and moral failings are widespread, affecting the entire covenant community, from its leadership to its ordinary citizens. This collective address underscores the comprehensive nature of their sin and the universal call to repentance within the nation, as seen throughout prophetic literature like [Isaiah 2:5-6](/isaiah/2-5 "Isaiah 2:5-6 - The House of Jacob and God's Light").

**Why does God command Isaiah to "cry aloud, spare not" and "lift up thy voice like a trumpet"?**

Answer: These urgent commands emphasize the critical nature of the message and the spiritual deafness of the people. To "cry aloud" (H7121, _qârâʼ_) and "spare not" (H2820, _châsak_) signifies that the prophet must deliver the message without holding back, compromising, or fearing repercussions. The simile "like a trumpet" (H7782, _shôwphâr_) further stresses the need for the message to be unmistakable, piercing, and attention-grabbing. In ancient Israel, the trumpet was used for warnings, summoning assemblies, or declaring war (e.g., [Joel 2:1](/joel/2-1 "Joel 2:1 - Blow the Trumpet in Zion")). God commands this forceful delivery because the people have become complacent and desensitized to their sin, requiring a profound, undeniable shock to awaken them to their true spiritual condition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 58:1, with its urgent call to expose sin and demand true righteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redefinition in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. While Isaiah was commanded to "cry aloud" to a spiritually deaf Israel, Jesus, the Word made flesh, embodies the ultimate prophetic voice. He did not "spare not" in confronting the religious hypocrisy of His day, directly challenging the Pharisees and scribes who prioritized outward ritual over inward transformation and social justice (e.g., [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Jesus' ministry was a trumpet blast, not just exposing "transgression" and "sins," but offering the definitive solution to them. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the very transgressions Isaiah spoke of. Furthermore, Jesus perfectly embodied the true fasting and righteousness called for in Isaiah 58, living a life of perfect obedience, compassion, and justice, culminating in His self-sacrifice. His life and death not only exposed humanity's sin but provided the means for genuine repentance and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live out the very righteousness and justice that God desired from the "house of Jacob" (cf. [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law and the Spirit")). Thus, Christ is both the ultimate Prophet who declares God's truth and the perfect fulfillment of God's demand for a people truly transformed from within.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 2:15

¶ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Acts 20:26

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Hosea 8:1

¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

Acts 7:51

¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Matthew 3:7

¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?