Isaiah 1:4
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Original Language Analysis
גּ֣וֹי
nation
H1471
גּ֣וֹי
nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 19
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
חֹטֵ֗א
sinful
H2398
חֹטֵ֗א
sinful
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
עַ֚ם
a people
H5971
עַ֚ם
a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כֶּ֣בֶד
laden
H3515
כֶּ֣בֶד
laden
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
5 of 19
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
זֶ֣רַע
a seed
H2233
זֶ֣רַע
a seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
7 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
מְרֵעִ֔ים
of evildoers
H7489
מְרֵעִ֔ים
of evildoers
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
בָּנִ֖ים
children
H1121
בָּנִ֖ים
children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מַשְׁחִיתִ֑ים
that are corrupters
H7843
מַשְׁחִיתִ֑ים
that are corrupters
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
10 of 19
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
עָזְב֣וּ
they have forsaken
H5800
עָזְב֣וּ
they have forsaken
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
11 of 19
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נִֽאֲצ֛וּ
they have provoked
H5006
נִֽאֲצ֛וּ
they have provoked
Strong's:
H5006
Word #:
14 of 19
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קְד֥וֹשׁ
the Holy One
H6918
קְד֥וֹשׁ
the Holy One
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
16 of 19
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
17 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Isaiah 5:24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.Jeremiah 2:17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?Jeremiah 2:13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.Isaiah 5:19That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!Jeremiah 7:19Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?Jeremiah 2:19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Romans 8:7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Historical Context
Despite outward religious observance, eighth-century Judah had absorbed Canaanite practices and social injustice, provoking divine judgment while trusting in political alliances rather than covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- Are there areas where you maintain religious appearances while harboring secret sins?
- How does understanding God's holiness affect your view of sin's seriousness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Four parallel descriptions intensify the portrait of Judah's corruption: sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, seed of evildoers, and corrupt children. The phrase 'Holy One of Israel' (qadosh Yisrael) appears 25 times in Isaiah, emphasizing God's transcendent purity in contrast to their defilement. The progressive verbs indicate complete apostasy: forsaken, provoked, and gone backward.