Isaiah 31 6

Isaiah 31:6 kjv

Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

Isaiah 31:6 nkjv

Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

Isaiah 31:6 niv

Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against.

Isaiah 31:6 esv

Turn to him from whom people have deeply revolted, O children of Israel.

Isaiah 31:6 nlt

Though you are such wicked rebels, my people, come and return to the LORD.

Isaiah 31 verses

Isaiah 31 6 meaning

Isaiah 31:6 is an urgent prophetic plea from God, through His prophet Isaiah, calling the rebellious people of Judah, addressed as "O children of Israel," to turn away from their profound apostasy and return to Him. Faced with the impending Assyrian threat, Judah sought an alliance with Egypt, trusting in human strength (horses and chariots) rather than the Lord. God viewed this as a deep betrayal of their covenant relationship, a serious revolt against His sovereignty. The verse highlights God's unwavering desire for His people's genuine repentance and faithfulness, even amidst their deeply entrenched rebellion. It signifies that true security and deliverance come only from God, not from reliance on human power or foreign alliances.

Isaiah 31 6 Context

Isaiah 31:6 is embedded within a prophetic oracle from Isaiah that strongly condemns Judah's policy of seeking military aid from Egypt against the formidable Assyrian Empire. Chapters 30 and 31 primarily focus on warning King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem against relying on foreign alliances and their own military strength. Isaiah 31:1-3 opens by lamenting those "who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses." The prophet clearly states that "the Egyptian is man, and not God," highlighting the futility of trusting in human power over divine protection. Verses 4-5 beautifully depict God's powerful, protective presence over Jerusalem, likened to a lion roaring over its prey and birds hovering to deliver. It is within this divine promise of protection, despite Judah's misdirection, that verse 6 arrives as an urgent and direct appeal. It represents God's call for His people to repent from their fundamental distrust in Him, acknowledging their profound spiritual departure, before He fully unleashes His deliverance. The verse thus pivots from rebuke and promise to a call for internal change, setting the stage for the casting away of idols mentioned in Isaiah 31:7. Historically, this occurred in the late 8th century BCE when King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Judah, leading to the temptation to form alliances with Egypt.

Isaiah 31 6 Word analysis

• Turn ye (שׁוּבוּ, shuvu): This is an imperative verb from the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn, to return, to repent." It functions as a direct command, indicating God's urgent expectation for a complete reorientation—a turning away from their sinful path and back towards Him. This spiritual redirection is foundational to the covenant relationship.

• unto him from whom (אֲשֶׁר מֵאֲשֶׁר, asher me'asher): Literally meaning "to whom from whom," this unique Hebrew construction emphasizes God as both the object of their turning from (their deep revolt) and the object of their turning to (repentance). It highlights the intensely personal nature of their offense against God and the specific target of their reconciliation.

• ye have deeply revolted (הֶעְמִיקוּ סָרָה, he'emiku sarah): This phrase carries significant weight.

  • deeply (הֶעְמִיקוּ, he'emiku): From the verb עָמַק (amaq), "to be deep" or "profound." In the Hiphil causative stem, it implies that they "have caused to be deep" or "have made profound" their revolt. It signifies that their rebellion is not superficial or an isolated incident, but has become rooted, ingrained, and fundamental to their collective behavior and mindset, reaching the depths of their being.
  • revolted (סָרָה, sarah): A feminine noun meaning "apostasy," "defection," "rebellion," or "turning aside." It denotes a willful departure from allegiance and fidelity, specifically to God and His covenant. This term describes a grave spiritual and ethical breach, going beyond mere error to outright disloyalty.

• O children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, benei Yisrael): This is a direct, emphatic address to the people. While immediately applicable to Judah, using the broader ancestral name "children of Israel" invokes their full covenant identity and history. It serves as a reminder of their unique relationship with God and the grave implications of their betrayal, making the call to repentance collective and profoundly personal.

• "Turn ye unto him": This is an imperative command that goes beyond mere external compliance, urging a comprehensive spiritual shift. It is a call for a radical change of heart, allegiance, and life direction, redirecting their focus and trust from human or worldly sources back to God alone.

• "from whom ye have deeply revolted": This phrase functions as both an indictment and an explanation. It diagnoses the core issue: a profound and entrenched disloyalty towards God, the very One who established their covenant and promised to be their protector. The "deep" nature of their revolt underscores the pervasive extent of their spiritual sickness, affecting their political decisions and national character.

Isaiah 31 6 Bonus section

The "deep revolt" spoken of in Isaiah 31:6 extends beyond just seeking a military alliance with Egypt; it represents a more profound spiritual lapse. The decision to trust in foreign chariots and horses (Isa 31:1) was a tangible manifestation of a heart that had turned away from the true source of power—YHWH. This act effectively prioritized the perceived strength of a pagan nation over the covenant faithfulness of God, verging on a violation of the First Commandment (Exod 20:3), which prohibits having other gods. The prophetic tradition, particularly Hosea and Jeremiah, often connects reliance on foreign nations with spiritual adultery and idolatry. Thus, the call to "turn ye" is not just about changing foreign policy but about dismantling the idols of national security and self-reliance from within the heart, replacing them with a singular, unwavering trust in the living God. This serves as a precursor to the New Testament emphasis on inner transformation and turning from all forms of idolatry to God.

Isaiah 31 6 Commentary

Isaiah 31:6 encapsulates God’s profound yearning for His people's fidelity, even in the face of their entrenched disloyalty. The emphatic command "Turn ye unto Him" is a powerful invitation to repentance, demanding not superficial change but a full reorientation of allegiance to God. The severity of their sin is starkly highlighted by "deeply revolted," signifying that their unfaithfulness, evidenced by their trust in Egypt over divine providence, was not a minor deviation but a fundamental spiritual sickness pervasive within the nation. This verse stands as a testament to God's persistent grace and unwavering covenant love, offering reconciliation and security through turning to Him, even when human efforts fail. It reminds that true salvation comes from heartfelt repentance and reliance on God alone.