Isaiah 31:6
Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
Original Language Analysis
שׁ֗וּבוּ
Turn
H7725
שׁ֗וּבוּ
Turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 6
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לַאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
לַאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 6
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ
have deeply
H6009
הֶעְמִ֥יקוּ
have deeply
Strong's:
H6009
Word #:
3 of 6
to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Jeremiah 3:22Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.Jeremiah 3:14Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Jeremiah 3:10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;Jeremiah 5:23But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.Hosea 9:9They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
Historical Context
Judah's rebellion was indeed deep: syncretistic worship, Egyptian alliances, social injustice, trusting military power over divine promise. Yet God offered return. Throughout prophetic literature, שׁוּב (shuv, return/repent) is the key word—Hosea 14:1, Joel 2:12-13, Malachi 3:7. The call to repentance permeates Scripture, climaxing in Jesus's first preaching: 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17).
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of 'deep' rebellion—not casual sin but profound turning away—need God's grace in your life?
- How does God's call to 'turn' reveal His desire for relationship restoration despite severity of sin?
- What practical steps does 'turning back' to God involve—not just feeling sorry but actual reorientation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted (שׁוּבוּ לַאֲשֶׁר הֶעְמִיקוּ סָרָה בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, shuvu la'asher he'emiqu sarah beney Yisrael)—the imperative שׁוּב (shuv, return, turn back, repent) calls for return to the One from whom they העְמִיקוּ (he'emiqu, made deep) סָרָה (sarah, rebellion, turning aside). The verb עָמַק (amaq) means to go deep, be profound—their rebellion wasn't superficial but thoroughgoing, deeply rooted. The wordplay with סָרָה (sarah) may connect to the name Sarah but primarily means apostasy, turning away.
After threatening judgment (vv. 1-3) and promising deliverance (vv. 4-5), Isaiah issues covenant lawsuit appeal: repent, return. The phrase 'deeply revolted' acknowledges the severity of sin—not casual drift but profound rebellion. Yet the call remains: שׁוּבוּ (shuvu, turn back). No rebellion is too deep for God's grace to reach. Lamentations 3:40 echoes: 'Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.'