Isaiah 1:9
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הוֹתִ֥יר
had left
H3498
הוֹתִ֥יר
had left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
4 of 11
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
כִּמְעָ֑ט
unto us a very small
H4592
כִּמְעָ֑ט
unto us a very small
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
7 of 11
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
הָיִ֔ינוּ
we should have been
H1961
הָיִ֔ינוּ
we should have been
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Romans 9:29And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.Genesis 19:24Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;Lamentations 3:22It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.Isaiah 6:13But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.Isaiah 17:6Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.Isaiah 24:13When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.Isaiah 37:4It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.Genesis 18:32And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.Amos 4:11I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
The 'LORD of hosts' (Yahweh Sabaoth) title emphasizes God's sovereignty over heavenly and earthly armies. Only His restraint prevented Judah's complete annihilation during the Assyrian crisis.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you recognize that your spiritual survival is entirely due to God's preserving grace?
- How does the doctrine of the remnant comfort you regarding the church's future?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The doctrine of the remnant appears here for the first time in Isaiah, a theme central to his theology. The Hebrew 'sarid' (remnant) emphasizes survivors preserved by grace. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) invokes total divine judgment, making the preservation of even a small remnant evidence of pure mercy, not merit.