Isaiah 63:8

KJV

For he said, Surely they [are] my people, children [that] will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he said {H559}, Surely they are my people {H5971}, children {H1121} that will not lie {H8266}: so he was their Saviour {H3467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For he said, "They are indeed my people, children who are not disloyal." So he became their Savior.

Berean Standard Bible

For He said, “They are surely My people, sons who will not be disloyal.” So He became their Savior.

American Standard Version

For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 63:8 powerfully encapsulates God's foundational relationship with Israel, declaring them as His chosen people, whom He trusted to be truthful and faithful. This divine affirmation establishes the premise of their covenant, highlighting God's deep identification with them and His consistent role as their deliverer and rescuer. The verse, set within a broader context of lament, poignantly contrasts God's initial trust and saving acts with the subsequent reality of Israel's unfaithfulness, setting the stage for a plea for renewed divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 63:8 is situated within a profound prayer of lament and confession that spans chapters 63 and 64 of Isaiah. This section marks a significant shift in tone from earlier prophetic pronouncements of judgment and restoration. The prophet, speaking on behalf of the exiled or post-exilic community, recalls God's mighty acts of salvation in the past, particularly the Exodus, as a basis for appealing to His mercy in their present distress. Verse 8 serves as the theological foundation for this appeal, articulating God's initial, ideal relationship with Israel before detailing their subsequent rebellion and the resulting divine wrath and sorrow in verses like [Isaiah 63:10](/isaiah/63-10 "Isaiah 63:10 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Grief"). The lament then moves into a heartfelt confession of sin and a desperate plea for God to "rend the heavens and come down" ([Isaiah 64:1](/isaiah/64-1 "A Prayer for God's Intervention")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this passage is often understood as the period of the Babylonian exile or the early post-exilic era, when the Jewish people were grappling with the consequences of their national sins and the apparent absence of God's saving hand. The reference to Israel as "my people" and "children" evokes the ancient covenant established at Sinai, where God chose Israel out of all nations to be His treasured possession ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession")). Culturally, the concept of "children that will not lie" speaks to the expectation of integrity and fidelity within a covenant relationship, particularly between a benevolent father (God) and His chosen offspring (Israel). The repeated acts of divine "Saviour" (deliverance) would have resonated deeply with Israel's collective memory of God's interventions, from the Red Sea crossing to numerous victories against their enemies, reinforcing His identity as their protector and rescuer.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores **God's Covenantal Election and Identity**, emphasizing His sovereign choice of Israel as "my people," a designation of intimate relationship and unique privilege, echoing foundational texts like [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, God's Holy People"). Second, it highlights **Divine Trust and Expectation**, revealing God's initial belief in Israel's integrity—that they were "children that will not lie." This ideal stands in stark contrast to the historical reality of their unfaithfulness, a tension central to the prophetic message. Third, the verse establishes **God's Role as Saviour and Deliverer**, portraying Him as the one who consistently intervened to rescue and preserve His people. This theme of divine salvation is central to Isaiah's message of hope, even amidst judgment, pointing to God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes despite human failure.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely speaking but a declarative act, often with authority or intention. Here, it conveys God's sovereign pronouncement and determination regarding His people, establishing the very nature of their relationship and His expectations. It's a statement of divine will and purpose.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term refers to a congregated unit, a nation, or a tribe. In this context, "my people" denotes God's unique possession and identification with Israel. It emphasizes their collective identity as a distinct entity chosen by God, setting them apart from other nations and establishing a special covenant bond.
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word implies a son or offspring, often in the sense of one who builds or continues the family name. Here, it underscores the familial, intimate relationship God desired with Israel, viewing them not just as a nation but as His beloved offspring, implying a deep paternal affection and a hope for their growth and faithfulness.
* **lie (Hebrew, _shâqar'_):** This root means to cheat, to be untrue, or to deal falsely, typically in words or actions that betray trust. God's declaration that they "will not lie" expresses His initial trust and expectation of their sincerity, integrity, and faithfulness to the covenant, setting an ideal standard for their behavior in response to His grace.
* **Saviour (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be open, wide, or free," and by implication, "to be safe." Causatively, it means "to free or succor." This term describes God's active role in delivering, preserving, and bringing salvation to His people. It encompasses not just a single act but a continuous, protective, and redemptive function, highlighting His power and commitment to rescue them from distress and danger.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he said":** This opening phrase reveals the divine initiative in the relationship. God is the one who speaks, declares, and ordains. It underscores His sovereignty and intentionality in choosing and relating to Israel. His word is foundational to their identity and destiny.
* **"Surely they [are] my people":** This is a profound declaration of covenantal identity. God claims Israel as His own, emphasizing a unique, intimate, and exclusive relationship. The term "my people" signifies election, possession, and a deep personal bond, setting Israel apart from all other nations.
* **"children [that] will not lie":** This clause expresses God's initial trust and ideal expectation for His chosen people. He viewed them as His offspring, believing they would respond with integrity, sincerity, and faithfulness to His covenant. It speaks to the purity and truthfulness God desired in their relationship, a stark contrast to the historical reality of their rebellion.
* **"so he was their Saviour":** This concluding phrase links God's saving acts directly to His relationship and trust in Israel. Because they were His people and He believed in their integrity, He consistently acted as their deliverer. This highlights God's unwavering commitment to rescue, protect, and preserve them, demonstrating His power and love in their history.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Covenant Language** is central, particularly in the phrases "my people" and "children," which evoke the established familial and legal bond between God and Israel. This language underscores God's paternal affection and His unique relationship with the nation. **Anthropomorphism** is present in "For he said," attributing human speech to God, making His declaration relatable and emphasizing His direct involvement. There is also a subtle **Irony** or **Tragic Foreshadowing** in the phrase "children that will not lie." While presented as God's initial expectation and belief, the broader context of Isaiah's lament (chapters 63-64) reveals Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and "lying" to God, making this initial declaration all the more poignant and highlighting the depth of God's disappointment and sorrow. Finally, the designation "Saviour" functions as a **Divine Epithet**, a title that encapsulates God's essential character and His primary role in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 63:8 profoundly shapes our understanding of divine election, covenant, and the nature of God's relationship with humanity. It reveals a God who initiates relationship, declares identity, and acts as a faithful deliverer, even as He holds expectations for integrity from His chosen ones. The tension between God's ideal ("will not lie") and Israel's historical failure (as detailed elsewhere in Isaiah) underscores the persistent theme of human sinfulness and God's enduring, yet often grieved, faithfulness. This verse sets the stage for the New Testament understanding of God's ultimate salvation plan, which addresses the very "lying" and unfaithfulness that Israel demonstrated, culminating in a perfect and final deliverance.

* [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - God's Covenant with Israel at Sinai")
* [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, God's Chosen People")
* [Psalm 106:7-8](/psalms/106-7-8 "Psalm 106:7-8 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Deliverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 63:8 offers profound insights for believers today, inviting us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God. Just as God declared Israel as "my people" and acted as their "Saviour," He has called believers into a new covenant relationship through Christ, making us His own. This verse challenges us to consider the "children that will not lie" aspect, urging us towards genuine integrity, sincerity, and faithfulness in our walk with Him. God desires a relationship built on truth, where our words and actions align with our confession of faith. While we, like ancient Israel, often fall short, this verse also reminds us of God's unwavering character as "Saviour." His commitment to deliver and preserve His people remains constant, offering hope and grace even when we falter. Our application, then, is to strive for a life of truthfulness and obedience, trusting in the continuous saving work of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I experience God's declaration of me as "my people" in my daily life?**
* **What does it mean for me to be a "child that will not lie" in my relationship with God and others?**
* **How have I personally experienced God acting as my "Saviour" in times of need or distress?**
* **How does God's initial trust in Israel, despite their eventual unfaithfulness, inform my understanding of His grace and patience?**

### FAQ

**Why does God call them 'children that will not lie' if Israel often rebelled?**

Answer: This phrase reflects God's initial, ideal expectation and the premise upon which He entered into a covenant relationship with Israel. It speaks to the purity and sincerity He desired from them. The lament in Isaiah 63-64, however, quickly shifts to acknowledge Israel's historical unfaithfulness and rebellion, indicating that they did not live up to this divine expectation. The verse highlights God's perfect vision for His people, which stands in stark contrast to their actual behavior, thereby underscoring the tragedy of their sin and the depth of God's grief, as seen in [Isaiah 63:10](/isaiah/63-10 "Isaiah 63:10 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Grief").

**How does this verse relate to God's covenant with Israel?**

Answer: Isaiah 63:8 is foundational to understanding the covenant. The declaration "Surely they are my people" directly echoes the covenant language used at Sinai, where God claimed Israel as His treasured possession ([Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - God's Treasured Possession")). The expectation that they would "not lie" speaks to the integrity and faithfulness required of Israel as their part of the covenant agreement. God's role as "their Saviour" is His consistent fulfillment of His covenant promise to protect and deliver them. Thus, the verse encapsulates the core elements of the covenant: God's election, His expectations, and His unwavering commitment to His people.

**What does 'Saviour' imply about God's character?**

Answer: The term "Saviour" (Hebrew: *yâshaʻ*) implies that God is inherently a deliverer, rescuer, and preserver. It speaks to His active intervention on behalf of His people, not just in a single event but as a continuous aspect of His character. It reveals His compassion, power, and faithfulness to His covenant promises. This divine attribute is seen throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus ([Exodus 14:30](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - God Saves Israel from Egypt")) to their deliverance from various enemies, demonstrating that He is always ready and able to bring salvation to those He calls His own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 63:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God declared Israel His people and acted as their Saviour, Israel repeatedly failed to live up to the ideal of "children that will not lie." Jesus, however, perfectly embodies this ideal. He is the true and faithful Son, who never lied and always perfectly obeyed the Father, fulfilling the integrity Israel was meant to display ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). More significantly, Jesus is the ultimate "Saviour," not just of a nation from physical bondage, but of all humanity from sin and death. His very name, Jesus (Yeshua), means "the Lord saves" ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He established a New Covenant, gathering a new "people" for God—those who believe in Him, drawn from every nation, tribe, and tongue ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen People")). In Christ, God's declaration of "my people" is realized in a deeper, spiritual sense, and His saving power is fully and eternally manifested for all who trust in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Exodus 6:7

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

Psalms 78:37

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Hosea 13:4

Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.

Isaiah 43:11

I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.