Isaiah 63:16

KJV

Doubtless thou [art] our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, [art] our father, our redeemer; thy name [is] from everlasting.

KJV (with Strong's)

Doubtless {H3588} thou art our father {H1}, though Abraham {H85} be ignorant {H3808}{H3045} of us, and Israel {H3478} acknowledge {H5234} us not: thou, O LORD {H3068}, art our father {H1}, our redeemer {H1350}; thy name {H8034} is from everlasting {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for you are our father. Even if Avraham were not to know us, and Isra'el were not to acknowledge us, you, ADONAI, are our father, Our Redeemer of Old is your name.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.

American Standard Version

For thou art our Father, though Abraham knoweth us not, and Israel doth not acknowledge us: thou, O Jehovah, art our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is thy name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 63:16 is a poignant declaration within a national lament, expressing Israel's profound and exclusive reliance on God as their ultimate Father and Redeemer. Faced with perceived abandonment by their human progenitors, Abraham and Jacob (Israel), the supplicants turn solely to the eternal LORD, whose name and character have been steadfast from everlasting. This verse encapsulates a desperate yet hopeful plea, asserting God's unchanging covenant faithfulness and His unique role as the source of their identity, hope, and salvation, irrespective of human failings or perceived neglect.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a deeply emotional prayer of lament and confession that spans [Isaiah 63:7-64:12](/isaiah/63 "Isaiah 63-64 - A Prayer of Lament and Confession"). The preceding verses ([Isaiah 63:7-14](/isaiah/63-7 "Isaiah 63:7-14 - God's Past Mercies Recalled")) recount God's past acts of salvation and mercy towards Israel, particularly during the Exodus, highlighting His steadfast love and compassion. However, this remembrance is immediately followed by a stark contrast: Israel's rebellion and the subsequent divine judgment, leading to their current state of distress and perceived abandonment ([Isaiah 63:15-19](/isaiah/63-15 "Isaiah 63:15-19 - A Plea for Divine Intervention")). The prayer then transitions into a fervent plea for God's renewed intervention, acknowledging their sin but appealing to His enduring character as Father and Redeemer. Verse 16 serves as the theological anchor of this desperate appeal, articulating the core of their hope.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this lament is likely the Babylonian exile or a period of severe national distress following the return, where the people felt the weight of their sins and the consequences of divine judgment. They were a shattered nation, far from their homeland or struggling to rebuild, experiencing profound humiliation and a sense of God's hidden face. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, lineage and ancestral identity were paramount. Abraham and Jacob (Israel) were the foundational patriarchs, representing the very essence of their national and covenantal identity. To declare that "Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not" was a statement of extreme desperation, implying a complete breakdown of human connection and a profound sense of orphanhood. This cultural emphasis on ancestry makes the declaration of God as their sole "Father" even more radical and significant, shifting the basis of their identity from human descent to divine paternity.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 63:16](/isaiah/63-16 "Isaiah 63:16 - God as Father and Redeemer") powerfully articulates several central themes found throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is **Divine Paternity**, emphasizing God's intimate and unwavering relationship with His people as their true Father, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 32:6](/deuteronomy/32-6 "Deuteronomy 32:6 - God as Father and Creator"). Closely related is the theme of **God as Redeemer (Go'el)**, highlighting His unique role as the kinsman-redeemer who delivers His people from bondage and restores them, a concept frequently emphasized in [Isaiah 43](/isaiah/43 "Isaiah 43 - God's Deliverance of Israel"). The verse also underscores **God's Everlasting Nature and Immutability**, asserting that His "name is from everlasting," reinforcing His eternal faithfulness despite Israel's temporal circumstances. Finally, it highlights the **Contrast Between Human Limitation and Divine Sufficiency**, demonstrating that even the most revered human figures pale in comparison to the boundless capacity and unwavering faithfulness of the Almighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** (H1) This primitive word denotes not merely biological parentage but also authority, protection, provision, and the source of identity. In this context, it signifies God as the ultimate progenitor and sustainer of Israel, the one to whom they can appeal for care and recognition when all human connections fail. It conveys a deep, intimate, and foundational relationship.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** (H3068) Derived from a root meaning "to be," this is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises. The use of "LORD" here underscores that the "Father" being invoked is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, distinct from any earthly or ancestral figure. It highlights His unique authority and power.
* **Redeemer (Hebrew, _gâʼal'_):** (H1350) This primitive root means "to redeem according to the Oriental law of kinship." A _go'el_ was the next of kin who had the right and responsibility to buy back property, avenge a wrong, or deliver a relative from slavery or debt. Applying this title to God signifies His active, familial commitment to liberate Israel from their distress, restore their dignity, and reclaim them as His own, demonstrating His powerful and loyal intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doubtless thou [art] our father":** This opening phrase, introduced by "Doubtless" (Hebrew _kîy_, H3588, a strong affirmative particle), expresses an absolute conviction and certainty. It is a foundational theological assertion, declaring God's undeniable paternity over Israel, establishing the basis for their appeal and hope.
* **"though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not":** This clause highlights the depth of Israel's despair and perceived abandonment. "Abraham" (H85) and "Israel" (H3478, Jacob's symbolic name) represent the nation's human ancestry and covenant founders. To say they are "ignorant" (H3045, _yâdaʻ_, to know, often intimately) and do "not acknowledge" (H5234, _nâkar_, to recognize, discern, care for) them emphasizes a profound sense of isolation and a crisis of identity rooted in their human heritage. It's a hyperbole expressing their desperate state, where even their revered ancestors seem distant or unaware of their plight.
* **"thou, O LORD, [art] our father":** This is a powerful repetition and reaffirmation of the opening declaration, now explicitly linking the "Father" to "O LORD" (H3068, Yahweh). It underscores that despite the perceived failure of human lineage, the divine Fatherhood of Yahweh remains steadfast and is their ultimate, reliable source of identity and hope.
* **"our redeemer":** This title immediately follows "our father," linking God's paternity with His active role as deliverer. As the _Go'el_ (H1350), God is portrayed as the one who has the right and responsibility to rescue, restore, and reclaim His people from their state of bondage, sin, or distress, emphasizing His covenant loyalty and power.
* **"thy name [is] from everlasting":** This final clause provides the theological bedrock for all the preceding declarations. "Thy name" (H8034, _shêm_) represents God's character, reputation, and essence. "From everlasting" (H5769, _ʻôwlâm_) signifies eternal duration, without beginning or end. This asserts God's timelessness, immutability, and enduring faithfulness. His character as Father and Redeemer is not a temporary attribute but an eternal reality, providing an unshakeable foundation for Israel's hope.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 63:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration that "Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not." This is not a literal statement of ancestral amnesia but an exaggerated expression of the people's feeling of utter abandonment and isolation, emphasizing that their human heritage offers no solace in their dire circumstances. This sets up a powerful **Contrast** between the perceived limitations of human lineage and the boundless, unwavering faithfulness of God. The repeated phrase "thou, O LORD, art our father" functions as **Anaphora** (though not at the very beginning of successive clauses, it's a strong repetition of a key phrase), serving to underscore and reinforce the central theological assertion of God's divine paternity. The use of titles like "Father" and "Redeemer" are examples of **Metaphor** and **Theological Titles**, which ascribe human familial and legal roles to God, making His relationship with Israel comprehensible and deeply personal. Finally, the concluding affirmation "thy name is from everlasting" provides a sense of **Climax** and **Foundation**, grounding the desperate plea in the eternal, unchanging nature of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 63:16 stands as a profound testament to the enduring and exclusive nature of God's relationship with His people. It highlights that true identity and ultimate security are found not in human lineage or earthly connections, but solely in the divine. Even when human fathers or ancestral figures seem to fail or be distant, God remains the faithful, eternal Father and powerful Redeemer. This passage underscores the theological truth that God's covenant faithfulness is not contingent on human merit or recognition, but on His own immutable character. It challenges the people to shift their reliance from human institutions or historical figures to the sole sufficiency of the Almighty, whose very nature is "from everlasting."

* [Deuteronomy 32:6](/deuteronomy/32-6 "Deuteronomy 32:6 - God as Father and Creator") - "Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?"
* [Psalm 27:10](/psalms/27-10 "Psalm 27:10 - God as Father and Mother") - "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up."
* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God as Creator and Redeemer") - "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 63:16 offers a powerful spiritual anchor for believers navigating seasons of profound distress, loneliness, or perceived abandonment. In a world where human relationships can falter, and even the most foundational connections may seem to break down, this verse directs our gaze to the unwavering constancy of God. It reminds us that our ultimate identity and security are rooted not in who acknowledges us on earth, but in the eternal Fatherhood of the LORD. When we feel like orphans, forgotten by those we expect to care, we are called to remember that God, our Redeemer, has known us from everlasting and is committed to our deliverance and restoration. This truth invites us to audacious prayer, to lay bare our desperation before the One who is eternally faithful, trusting that His name and character are the unshakeable foundation of our hope, regardless of our present circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely more on human recognition or support than on God's unwavering Fatherhood?**
* **How does the concept of God as your "Redeemer" provide comfort and hope in your current challenges or struggles?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that God's "name is from everlasting," and how does this truth impact your trust in His promises?**
* **When you feel forgotten or unacknowledged, how can you actively turn to the LORD as your ultimate Father and source of identity?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not"?**

Answer: This statement is a powerful hyperbole, not a literal claim of ancestral amnesia. It expresses the profound sense of abandonment and despair felt by the people of Israel during a period of national distress, likely the Babylonian exile. It signifies that even their revered human patriarchs, Abraham and Jacob (Israel), from whom they derived their identity and covenant blessings, seemed unable or unwilling to intervene or acknowledge their plight. This highlights their desperate situation and emphasizes that their only remaining hope and source of recognition is God Himself. It underscores the limitations of human lineage compared to the boundless faithfulness of the divine.

**How is God our "Redeemer" in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "redeemer" is _Go'el_ (H1350), which refers to a kinsman who had the legal and familial obligation to act on behalf of a distressed relative. This could involve buying back property, avenging a wrong, or delivering someone from slavery or debt. When applied to God, as seen frequently in [Isaiah 41:14](/isaiah/41-14 "Isaiah 41:14 - God, the Redeemer of Israel") and [Isaiah 48:17](/isaiah/48-17 "The LORD, your Redeemer"), it signifies His unique role as Israel's divine Kinsman. He is the one who is committed by covenant to rescue His people from their bondage (whether to sin, exile, or suffering), restore their dignity, and reclaim them as His own. It speaks to God's active, powerful, and loyal intervention on behalf of His beloved children.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 63:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cry for God as "our father" and "our redeemer" foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers are adopted into God's family through Christ. [Galatians 4:4-5](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4-5 - Adoption as Sons") declares that "when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son... To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Through Christ, the promise of divine paternity is no longer limited to a national lineage but extended to all who believe, enabling them to cry out, "Abba, Father" ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate _Go'el_, the Kinsman-Redeemer, who, by His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, bought us back from the slavery of sin and death, paying the ultimate price ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). His "name is from everlasting," as He is the eternal Word, God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word was God")), who was "before Abraham was" ([John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Jesus' Divine Pre-existence")). Thus, in Christ, the ancient lament of Israel is transformed into the joyous affirmation of a new creation, fully acknowledged and eternally redeemed by the Father through the Son.

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

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

Malachi 2:10

¶ Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Deuteronomy 32:6

Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? [is] not he thy father [that] hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Jeremiah 3:19

But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

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?

Isaiah 41:14

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.