Isaiah 65:2

I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way [that was] not good, after their own thoughts;

I have spread out {H6566} my hands {H3027} all the day {H3117} unto a rebellious {H5637} people {H5971}, which walketh {H1980} in a way {H1870} that was not good {H2896}, after {H310} their own thoughts {H4284};

I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who live in a way that is not good, who follow their own inclinations;

All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, that walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

Commentary

Isaiah 65:2 KJV presents a powerful and poignant image of God's enduring patience and persistent call to His disobedient people, contrasting His boundless love with their stubborn rebellion.

Context of Isaiah 65:2

This verse is found within the latter part of the Book of Isaiah, often referred to as "Second Isaiah" (chapters 40-66), which prophesies about Israel's return from Babylonian exile and the eventual establishment of God's glorious kingdom. Chapter 65 specifically opens with God revealing Himself to those who did not seek Him, contrasting their eventual acceptance with the persistent rejection by His chosen people, Israel. It sets the stage for a divine lament over Israel's unfaithfulness, even as promises of a new heaven and new earth are introduced later in the chapter (Isaiah 65:17).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Patience and Persistent Invitation: The phrase "I have spread out my hands all the day" vividly portrays God in a posture of earnest invitation, pleading, and welcome. It emphasizes His constant, unwavering desire for His people to return to Him, demonstrating His longsuffering and readiness to forgive. This imagery highlights God's active pursuit of relationship, not merely a passive waiting.
  • Human Rebellion and Disobedience: God's hands are outstretched "unto a rebellious people." This highlights the inherent stubbornness and refusal of the people to heed divine instruction. Their rebellion is not a momentary lapse but a consistent pattern of turning away from God's righteous path.
  • Self-Will vs. God's Will: The description "which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts" underscores the core issue of their rebellion: choosing their own understanding and desires over God's revealed will. This "way that was not good" signifies a path of moral and spiritual corruption, leading to destructive consequences, as opposed to the path of righteousness that God desires for them. This resonates with the warning in Proverbs 14:12 that "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase for "spread out my hands" is paras yadayim (ืคึผึธืจึทืฉื‚ ื™ึธื“ึทื™ึดื), which signifies an act of supplication, invitation, or welcoming. It conveys a deep sense of earnestness and availability on God's part.
  • "Rebellious people" translates the Hebrew 'am sorer (ืขึทื ืกื•ึนืจึตืจ), emphasizing a people who are stubborn, obstinate, and turn aside from the right path.
  • "After their own thoughts" (ืึทื—ึทืจ ืžึทื—ึฐืฉืึฐื‘ึนืชึตื™ื”ึถื, 'achar machshevoteihem) points to the human tendency to follow one's own plans, imaginations, or devices, rather than submitting to divine wisdom and guidance.

Related Scriptures

The theme of God's persistent call to a rebellious people is echoed throughout Scripture. The Apostle Paul directly quotes this verse in Romans 10:21 to illustrate Israel's unbelief despite God's continuous outreach. Similarly, Jeremiah 7:24 describes how the people "hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart."

Practical Application

Isaiah 65:2 serves as a timeless reminder of God's boundless grace and patience towards humanity. Even when we choose to follow our own desires and walk in ways contrary to His will, God's "hands are spread out" in an ongoing invitation to repentance and reconciliation. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we walking "after our own thoughts," or are we seeking God's good and perfect will? It encourages us to respond to His persistent call, turning from self-reliance to trust in His divine wisdom and love. God's desire for relationship remains steadfast, offering hope and a path to restoration for all who will turn to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 10:21

    But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

  • Jeremiah 4:14

    O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

  • Proverbs 1:24

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • Psalms 81:11

    But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

  • Psalms 81:12

    So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

  • Isaiah 1:2

    ยถ 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.

  • Isaiah 66:18

    For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
โ† Back