Isaiah 47 4

Isaiah 47:4 kjv

As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47:4 nkjv

As for our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47:4 niv

Our Redeemer?the LORD Almighty is his name? is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47:4 esv

Our Redeemer ? the LORD of hosts is his name ? is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47:4 nlt

Our Redeemer, whose name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies,
is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47 verses

Isaiah 47 4 Meaning

Isaiah 47:4 declares the unwavering identity and character of God from the perspective of His people, Israel, even amidst their exile and the judgment pronounced upon Babylon. It acts as an interjection of hope and truth, asserting that their God is the faithful Kinsman-Redeemer, the supremely powerful Commander of all cosmic forces, and the distinct, morally pure Holy One, uniquely associated with Israel. This declaration stands in stark contrast to Babylon's claims of invincibility and self-sufficiency, reaffirming YHWH's absolute sovereignty and covenant loyalty to His people.

Isaiah 47 4 Context

Isaiah 47:4 appears as a confident declaration of faith nestled within a prophetic oracle primarily directed against Babylon. Chapters 40-55 of Isaiah, often called the "Book of Comfort" or "Deutero-Isaiah," primarily address Israel during and towards the end of their Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). This section assures them of God's unique sovereignty, His coming deliverance, and the emptiness of idol worship compared to His power.

Chapter 47 vividly portrays the dramatic fall of Babylon. The once proud and cruel oppressor, depicted as a "virgin daughter" (v. 1) accustomed to luxury and dominance, is now commanded to endure humiliation and servitude. She is to take up the millstones, grind grain like a slave, be stripped of her finery, and exposed to public shame. Babylon is condemned for her ruthlessness (v. 6), her self-exalting boasts, particularly "I am, and there is no one besides me" (v. 8, 10), and her reliance on astrology, enchantments, and sorcery.

It is in this context of Babylon's imminent downfall and arrogant defiance that verse 4 makes a sudden, powerful interjection. The "our" marks a shift in perspective, giving voice to the exiles in Judah, who cling to their covenant God amidst the might of the seemingly unconquerable Babylonian empire. It directly counters Babylon's false claims to ultimate power by stating who the true ultimate power is – not the gods of Babylon, nor Babylon herself, but the God of Israel. It serves as an affirmation of hope for a captive people, reminding them that their God, with all His mighty titles, will act on their behalf.

Isaiah 47 4 Word analysis

• Our: This possessive pronoun signifies intimacy and identification. It represents the collective voice of the faithful in Israel, asserting their personal relationship and covenant bond with God. In the midst of the prophecy against Babylon, this "our" re-establishes Israel's unique relationship with YHWH, highlighting His particular care for them even when seemingly abandoned in exile. It also contrasts sharply with Babylon's isolation and reliance on false gods.
• Redeemer (Hebrew: גֹּאֵל, go'el): This is a crucial term referring to a close kinsman who had specific legal and social responsibilities in ancient Israel. The go'el's duties included avenging spilled blood (Num 35), repurchasing property or individuals who had fallen into servitude (Lev 25), and perpetuating a family line by marrying a widow (Ruth 4). Here, applied to God, it means He is acting on behalf of Israel in these roles: rescuing them from slavery (exile), reclaiming their lost inheritance (land), and upholding their justice and honor. He is not a distant deity but one actively, intimately, and powerfully involved in the deliverance of His people. The choice of go'el underscores God's personal commitment and capability to effect complete restoration and vindication. It powerfully counters the idea of any other power being able to deliver them.
• the LORD of hosts (Hebrew: יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, YHWH Ts'va'ot): This majestic divine title combines God's personal covenant name YHWH (Yahweh), emphasizing His active presence and self-revelation, with Ts'va'ot, meaning "armies" or "hosts." It refers to heavenly armies, celestial bodies, and all created powers, denoting God's supreme command over the spiritual and natural realms. It signifies His absolute sovereignty, military might, and ability to marshal all forces to accomplish His will. Against Babylon's formidable military, this title assures Israel that their God commands forces far greater, guaranteeing ultimate victory. It conveys both cosmic power and immediate intervention in history. This title often appears in contexts of warfare and divine judgment.
• is his name: This phrase emphasizes that these titles are not just descriptive labels but embody the very character, essence, and active presence of God. His name encapsulates His attributes and functions. To declare "is his name" means "this is who He fundamentally is and how He reveals Himself." It stands in stark contrast to the unnamed, impotent gods of Babylon that are revealed as powerless in this very chapter. His name guarantees His consistent, powerful action as Redeemer and Lord.
• the Holy One of Israel (Hebrew: קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל, Q'dosh Yisrael): This title is characteristic of Isaiah and deeply significant. "Holy" (qadosh) fundamentally means "separate," "set apart," emphasizing God's transcendence, utter distinctness, and moral purity from all creation and from sin. He is wholly Other. Yet, He is "of Israel," demonstrating His unique and intimate covenant relationship with a specific, chosen (though often rebellious) people. This emphasizes His covenant faithfulness, His unique demand for moral purity from His people, and His uncompromised nature amidst a corrupt world and idolatrous nations. This also presents a polemic against the defiled, immoral deities and practices of Babylon.

Isaiah 47 4 Bonus section

The placement of Isaiah 47:4 is a deliberate literary and theological move. It functions as an abrupt change of speaker, shifting from YHWH's denunciation of Babylon (v. 1-3) back to the voice of the suffering but faithful remnant in Israel. This immediate contrast highlights the two opposing worldviews: Babylon's self-reliance and the God-reliance of Israel. It serves not only as a theological affirmation but also as a rhetorical device to comfort and empower the Jewish exiles, reminding them that while Babylon has made an arrogant "I am" claim (v. 8, 10), it is their God alone who truly is the sovereign "I AM." The divine attributes expressed here—Redeemer, LORD of Hosts, Holy One of Israel—are foundational to Isaiah's message throughout chapters 40-55, reiterating that despite Israel's sin, God's character and covenant commitment are steadfast, ensuring their ultimate restoration. This verse implicitly teaches that knowing God by His true names and character is paramount to facing and overcoming opposition.

Isaiah 47 4 Commentary

Isaiah 47:4 provides a profound declaration of YHWH's identity, interjected as a theological cornerstone in the prophecy of Babylon's downfall. It moves from Babylon's boastful self-declaration to Israel's confident assertion about their God. By proclaiming Him as "Our Redeemer," it assures the captive Israelites that God maintains an active, familial commitment to their deliverance, fulfilling the legal and relational role of the go'el to rescue them from bondage. His title "the LORD of hosts" affirms His unparalleled power over all creation and nations, asserting His capacity to humble the mightiest empires, like Babylon, through supernatural intervention. The emphatic "is his name" underscores that these attributes are not mere titles but intrinsic to His being and guaranteed by His unchanging character. Finally, calling Him "the Holy One of Israel" stresses His distinctness, moral perfection, and specific, enduring covenant bond with His people, reminding them that their unique, undefiled God remains separate and sovereign, even when Israel themselves fail. The verse is thus a condensed expression of divine identity, covenant faithfulness, supreme power, and promised redemption, offering profound comfort and hope amidst despair.Examples for practical usage:

• When facing seemingly overwhelming difficulties, remember God as "Our Redeemer" who intervenes personally to set us free.
• In times of global uncertainty or powerful earthly regimes, recognize "the LORD of hosts" as the ultimate authority, reminding us He holds all power.
• When tempted to compromise or blend with worldly values, recall "the Holy One of Israel" who calls us to distinctness and moral purity, empowering us to live accordingly.