Isaiah 2:6
Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָטַ֗שְׁתָּה
Therefore thou hast forsaken
H5203
נָטַ֗שְׁתָּה
Therefore thou hast forsaken
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
עַמְּךָ֙
thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֙
thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בֵּ֣ית
the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָלְאוּ֙
because they be replenished
H4390
מָלְאוּ֙
because they be replenished
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
7 of 13
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
מִקֶּ֔דֶם
from the east
H6924
מִקֶּ֔דֶם
from the east
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
8 of 13
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
וְעֹֽנְנִ֖ים
and are soothsayers
H6049
וְעֹֽנְנִ֖ים
and are soothsayers
Strong's:
H6049
Word #:
9 of 13
figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., practise magic
כַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
like the Philistines
H6430
כַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
like the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
10 of 13
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וּבְיַלְדֵ֥י
themselves in the children
H3206
וּבְיַלְדֵ֥י
themselves in the children
Strong's:
H3206
Word #:
11 of 13
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
Cross References
Romans 11:20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:2 Kings 1:2And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
Historical Context
During the 8th century BC, Judah increasingly absorbed surrounding nations' religious practices, despite the first commandment's exclusivity. Cultural assimilation threatened covenant identity.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary 'eastern' influences or cultural practices compromise our covenant distinctiveness?
- How does God's 'forsaking' function as both judgment and the natural consequence of our forsaking Him?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's 'forsaking' His people results from their forsaking Him through syncretism—'replenished from the east' suggests adopting foreign religious practices, while 'soothsayers like the Philistines' indicates occult divination prohibited in Torah (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). The phrase 'please themselves in the children of strangers' may denote inter-marriage or commercial alliances that compromise covenant distinctiveness. Divine abandonment is judicial: God gives them over to chosen idolatry (Romans 1:24-28), demonstrating that persistent rebellion leads to covenant judgment.