Isaiah 1:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
O heavens
H8064
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
O heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 13
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְהַאֲזִ֣ינִי
and give ear
H238
וְהַאֲזִ֣ינִי
and give ear
Strong's:
H238
Word #:
3 of 13
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּבֵּ֑ר
hath spoken
H1696
דִּבֵּ֑ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בָּנִים֙
children
H1121
בָּנִים֙
children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גִּדַּ֣לְתִּי
I have nourished
H1431
גִּדַּ֣לְתִּי
I have nourished
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
9 of 13
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
וְרוֹמַ֔מְתִּי
and brought up
H7311
וְרוֹמַ֔מְתִּי
and brought up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
10 of 13
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:1Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:Micah 1:2Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.Deuteronomy 4:26I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.Psalms 50:4He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.Malachi 1:6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?Isaiah 30:9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:Isaiah 30:1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:Isaiah 65:2I 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;Jeremiah 22:29O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Historical Context
Written during Isaiah's ministry (740-680 BC) under kings Uzziah through Hezekiah. This opening oracle addresses Judah's spiritual apostasy despite material prosperity during Uzziah's reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God as your spiritual Father shape your response to His correction?
- In what ways might you be taking God's faithfulness for granted while pursuing your own path?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God summons all creation as witnesses to His covenant lawsuit against Judah. The Hebrew verb 'nourished' (gadal) and 'brought up' (romem) depict the tender parental care God lavished on Israel, making their rebellion (pasha, willful transgression) all the more heinous. This divine indictment establishes the prophetic pattern of combining covenant faithfulness with forensic judgment that permeates Isaiah's prophecy.