Isaiah 48 2

Isaiah 48:2 kjv

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

Isaiah 48:2 nkjv

For they call themselves after the holy city, And lean on the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is His name:

Isaiah 48:2 niv

you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel? the LORD Almighty is his name:

Isaiah 48:2 esv

For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name.

Isaiah 48:2 nlt

even though you call yourself the holy city
and talk about depending on the God of Israel,
whose name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Isaiah 48 verses

Isaiah 48 2 Meaning

Isaiah 48:2 indicts the people of Israel for their superficial religiosity. They identify themselves outwardly with Jerusalem, the holy city, and profess to rely upon the God of Israel, acknowledging Him by His powerful name, "the LORD of hosts." However, this identification and reliance are presented as merely titular or external, lacking true heart devotion and obedience, thereby exposing their profound hypocrisy.

Isaiah 48 2 Context

Isaiah chapter 48 directly addresses the exiled Israelites in Babylon. It functions as a summary and conclusion to God's arguments (from chapters 40-47) demonstrating His absolute sovereignty, unique identity, and foreknowledge, particularly in predicting the rise of Cyrus and the return from exile. This chapter immediately follows prophecies about God's plan to save His people and judgments against Babylon. Verse 1 of Isaiah 48 states that Israel comes forth from Judah, swears by the LORD, and mentions the God of Israel, but "not in truth or righteousness." Verse 2 then explains why this declaration of faith is empty. The people boast of their national and religious identity, associating with Jerusalem and God's name, yet their spiritual state is far from genuine. This verse sets the stage for God's powerful indictment (Is 48:4-8) regarding their stubbornness, idolatry, and hard-heartedness, emphasizing that despite their hypocrisy, God reveals the future precisely to prove His unique Godhead and call them to renewed faith. The historical context is critical: the people are in exile due to their persistent sin, and even there, their claims of faith are seen as superficial, prompting God to deliver them purely by His grace and for His own glory.

Isaiah 48 2 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement in verse 1—that Israel invokes the LORD and God of Israel "but not in truth or righteousness." It clarifies the basis of their hypocrisy.
• they call themselves (נִקְרָאוּ - niqra'u): A Niphal perfect verb, meaning "they are called" or "they name themselves." It signifies an identity or designation, here emphasizing an external label or a proud self-identification rather than an inherent, internal state.
• after the holy city (מֵעִיר קֹדֶשׁ - me'ir qodesh): Literally "from the city of holiness" or "by the city of holiness." This refers to Jerusalem, uniquely designated by God as holy due to His presence and covenant. The phrase highlights their deriving identity and prestige from a sacred place.
• and lean on (וְעַל-אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִסְמָכוּ - ve'al-'Elohei Yisra'el nismaḵu): "And upon the God of Israel they lean/rely." The verb "נִסְמָכוּ" (nismaḵu), Niphal perfect, means to support oneself by or rely on. In this ironic context, it denotes a false or presumptive reliance that lacks true obedience and submission to the one relied upon.
• the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Elohei Yisra'el): A key covenantal title for God, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel as His chosen people. The people proudly acknowledge this title, yet their actions betray the demands of this covenant relationship.
• the LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - Yahweh Tseba'ot): A majestic and powerful title for God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and control over all spiritual and earthly armies or powers ("hosts"). It signifies His omnipotence and unchallenged authority, making their superficial reliance even more poignant as they acknowledge such a mighty God without true devotion.
• is his name (שְׁמוֹ - sh'mo): "His name is." This affirmation points to God's inherent identity, character, and self-revelation. It emphasizes that this powerful, sovereign God is the very One they claim to follow, yet fail to truly honor. The use of His proper, personal name alongside such a powerful title underscores the irony of their empty claims.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For they call themselves after the holy city": This phrase highlights the superficial nature of their identity. Their pride stemmed from an external association with Jerusalem, which God made holy, rather than from personal holiness or spiritual alignment with God's will. It describes a self-identification based on religious heritage, devoid of living righteousness.
• "and lean on the God of Israel": This portrays a selective and presumptive trust. They depended on God for national preservation or to fulfill His promises, without fulfilling their covenant responsibilities (e.g., obedience, avoiding idolatry). It suggests an attempt to claim the benefits of being God's people without true commitment.
• "the LORD of hosts is his name": This is a potent declaration emphasizing the true nature of the God they profess to follow. By using Yahweh Tseba'ot, Isaiah highlights the infinite power and sovereign authority of God. This divine name sharply contrasts with the emptiness of the people’s claims, underscoring the severity of their hypocrisy in relying on such a mighty God in vain.

Isaiah 48 2 Bonus section

The profound literary and theological tension in Isaiah 48:2 arises from the juxtaposition of the people's hollow, external claims and the profound, weighty names and titles of God. Their nominal association with "the holy city" and their presumptive "leaning" on "the God of Israel" are immediately undercut by the solemn declaration that "the LORD of hosts is his name." This powerful name, signifying God's ultimate dominion and might, serves to magnify the depth of their spiritual apathy and the offense of their pretense. This verse, therefore, establishes a critical foundation for God's subsequent argument throughout chapter 48, where He demonstrates His unique foresight and power to expose their unresponsiveness and validate His exclusive deity. It lays bare the need for internal righteousness and a genuine heart response, rather than merely deriving identity or security from outward religious privilege or association.

Isaiah 48 2 Commentary

Isaiah 48:2 serves as a scathing critique of religious formalism. It reveals the core hypocrisy of the Israelites during the Babylonian exile: they confidently proclaimed their heritage and relied on their unique covenant relationship with God, but their outward expressions lacked inner reality. They boasted of Jerusalem as the "holy city" and proudly invoked "the God of Israel," even acknowledging His awe-inspiring title, "the LORD of hosts." However, this verbal allegiance was hollow, untempered by genuine faith, obedience, or righteous living. The verse underscores that God sees beyond mere titles and declarations; He demands a heart fully devoted, an integrity that matches profession with practice. Their superficial religiosity provided a false sense of security, preventing them from acknowledging their sin and truly seeking the very God whose name they uttered. It's a foundational statement exposing that true connection with God is never just about words, place, or lineage, but about a transformed life.