Isaiah 48 1

Isaiah 48:1 kjv

Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

Isaiah 48:1 nkjv

"Hear this, O house of Jacob, Who are called by the name of Israel, And have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah; Who swear by the name of the LORD, And make mention of the God of Israel, But not in truth or in righteousness;

Isaiah 48:1 niv

"Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the LORD and invoke the God of Israel? but not in truth or righteousness?

Isaiah 48:1 esv

Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.

Isaiah 48:1 nlt

"Listen to me, O family of Jacob,
you who are called by the name of Israel
and born into the family of Judah.
Listen, you who take oaths in the name of the LORD
and call on the God of Israel.
You don't keep your promises,

Isaiah 48 verses

Isaiah 48 1 Meaning

Isaiah 48:1 begins with a direct and severe address from God to His people, "the house of Jacob," particularly the descendants of Judah. While they identify themselves by their covenant names and lineage—Israelites by name and descendants of Judah—and outwardly practice religion by swearing by the LORD and mentioning the God of Israel, their devotion is hollow. The core meaning of the verse is an indictment of Israel's profound hypocrisy: they profess allegiance to God without possessing true integrity or practicing genuine righteousness in their hearts and lives.

Isaiah 48 1 Context

Isaiah 48:1 serves as a foundational verse at the conclusion of a significant prophetic section within the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 40-55) where God reveals His singular sovereignty, power, and detailed foreknowledge, particularly concerning the impending return from Babylonian exile. Prior to this, God has meticulously demonstrated His ability to predict and accomplish His will, challenging Israel and other nations to produce similar proof of their gods' power. This verse pivots from those declarations by exposing the spiritual state of the audience—the exiles in Babylon. It immediately establishes that their past transgressions, particularly their deep-seated religious insincerity, were a root cause of their current captivity. It frames the subsequent divine commands and assurances by highlighting their rebellious nature, clarifying that despite God's plans for restoration, His people remain unfaithful and hypocritical. The prophet calls for attention before laying out God's plan and a fresh plea for obedience, against the backdrop of their religious formalism.

Isaiah 48 1 Word analysis

• Hear this (שִׁמְעוּ זֹאת – Shim'u zot): An imperative command for all of Israel. It emphasizes urgency and the critical importance of the message to follow. It demands active and deliberate attention.
• O house of Jacob (בֵּית יַעֲקֹב – beit Ya'akov): A collective address for the entire nation of Israel. "Jacob" refers to their patriarchal ancestor and often denotes their human, flawed, or carnal nature before his transformation to Israel. It highlights their origin.
• who are called by the name of Israel (הַנִּקְרָאִים בְּשֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל – hanniqra'im b'shem Yisrael): Specifies their formal identity as God's chosen people, descendants of the patriarch Israel ("struggles with God" or "God contends"). This title denotes their special covenant relationship and divine calling, amplifying the contrast with their actions.
• and have come forth from the loins of Judah (וּמִמֵּי יְהוּדָה יָצְאוּ – u'mimmei Yehudah yatza'u): "Loins" (מַיִם – mayim, literally "waters," metaphorically source/progeny). This specifies their tribal origin, emphasizing the remnant from the southern kingdom, Judah, which includes the royal line of David and was the primary surviving group in exile.
• who swear by the name of the LORD (הַנִּשְׁבָּעִים בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה – hannišbba'im b'shem YHWH): Describes a public religious act. "To swear" (שׁבע - shava) by God's covenant name YHWH signifies an affirmation of His deity and an appeal to His authority, outwardly expressing loyalty and reverence. YHWH is the personal, covenantal God of Israel.
• and make mention of the God of Israel (וּבֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יַזְכִּירוּ – uv'Elohei Yisrael yazkiru): Another formal religious practice. "To make mention" (זָכַר - zakhar) is to declare, invoke, or acknowledge Him verbally. "God of Israel" (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – Elohei Yisrael) reiterates His unique relationship to His people.
• but not in truth (לֹא בֶאֱמֶת – lo be'emet): "Not in truth." "Truth" (אֱמֶת - emet) means reliability, integrity, faithfulness, sincerity, or reality. Their religious words and oaths lack genuine commitment or a faithful heart.
• or in righteousness (וְלֹא בִצְדָקָה – v'lo vitzedakah): "Not in righteousness." "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה - tzedakah) signifies justice, moral uprightness, ethical behavior, and conformity to divine standards. Their outward piety is unaccompanied by righteous living.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth from the loins of Judah": This expansive opening establishes Israel's undeniable identity and privileged heritage before God. It reinforces their chosen status and covenant relationship, making their ensuing failure all the more egregious and highlighting that their external identity contrasts sharply with their internal condition.
• "who swear by the name of the LORD and make mention of the God of Israel": These two parallel phrases describe the outward manifestations of their religion. They employ the sacred names of God in their oaths and speech, adhering to ritualistic forms. The use of both "LORD" (YHWH, the covenant name) and "God of Israel" emphasizes their awareness of and claim to a unique relationship with God.
• "but not in truth or in righteousness": This crucial concluding phrase delivers the divine indictment. It negates the sincerity of their professed allegiance, revealing a profound disconnect between their words and their hearts, between ritual and life. Their lack of "truth" indicates internal falsehood and insincerity, while the absence of "righteousness" points to a failure in ethical and moral living, rendering their religious practices hollow and unacceptable to God.

Isaiah 48 1 Bonus section

• The repetitive identification ("Jacob," "Israel," "Judah") could serve as an implicit reminder that despite their failure, God has not forgotten His covenant with their forefathers, setting the stage for His eventual merciful intervention later in the chapter, which will not be because of their righteousness, but because of His own name's sake.
• This verse can be understood as an exilic summary of Israel's national history of outward religiosity coupled with persistent internal rebellion and unfaithfulness, justifying the judgment of exile even as God begins to announce His plans for their deliverance.
• The stark contrast highlights the prophet's call for radical self-reflection: Are our outward declarations of faith matched by inward integrity and observable righteousness, or do we merely go through the motions? God requires transformed lives, not just religious rituals.

Isaiah 48 1 Commentary

Isaiah 48:1 delivers a potent indictment from God, directed at a community that claims special identity yet lacks integrity. God is addressing those Israelites in Babylonian exile, reminding them of their heritage as "house of Jacob" and "Israel," descended specifically from "Judah," the royal and enduring tribe. This is a people intimately connected to God by history and covenant, outwardly expressing devotion by "swearing by the name of the LORD" and "making mention of the God of Israel." These acts typically signify loyalty and acknowledgment.

However, the devastating qualification "but not in truth or in righteousness" exposes the hollowness of their piety. Their verbal professions are devoid of sincerity (truth) and ethical living (righteousness). This is not a casual oversight; it is a fundamental betrayal, illustrating a nation performing religious duties as mere formality while their hearts remain distant and their conduct unjust. God rejects such empty worship. This verse sets the stage for God's further pronouncements in Isaiah 48, establishing the spiritual brokenness of His people as the very reason for their exile, and underscoring that His subsequent promises of restoration are borne not out of their merit, but solely out of His own righteous character and purpose. It challenges any misconception that external adherence alone constitutes genuine faith.