Isaiah 42:24
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 18
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
נָתַ֨ן
Who gave
H5414
נָתַ֨ן
Who gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
and Israel
H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
and Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הֲל֣וֹא
H3808
הֲל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהוָ֑ה
did not the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
did not the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חָטָ֣אנוּ
we have sinned
H2398
חָטָ֣אנוּ
we have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָב֤וּ
for they would
H14
אָב֤וּ
for they would
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
13 of 18
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
בִדְרָכָיו֙
in his ways
H1870
בִדְרָכָיו֙
in his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 18
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָל֔וֹךְ
not walk
H1980
הָל֔וֹךְ
not walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This confesses that exile wasn't due to God's weakness or Babylon's superior power, but to Israel's sin provoking divine judgment. Recognizing God's hand in discipline is first step toward repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does acknowledging God's hand in your difficulties change your response to hardship?
- What sins have brought divine discipline into your life requiring honest confession?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God asks who gave Jacob to robbers and Israel to spoilers, then answers: 'the LORD, he against whom we have sinned.' The shift from third to first person ('we have sinned') acknowledges corporate guilt. The Hebrew 'chata' (sinned) admits covenant violations brought judgment. God Himself delivered them to enemies as discipline.