Isaiah 48:1
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בֵּֽית
ye this O house
H1004
בֵּֽית
ye this O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַנִּקְרָאִים֙
which are called
H7121
הַנִּקְרָאִים֙
which are called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
by the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
by the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
6 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמִמֵּ֥י
out of the waters
H4325
וּמִמֵּ֥י
out of the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
8 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
9 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
יָצָ֑אוּ
and are come forth
H3318
יָצָ֑אוּ
and are come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַֽנִּשְׁבָּעִ֣ים׀
which swear
H7650
הַֽנִּשְׁבָּעִ֣ים׀
which swear
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
11 of 20
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
by the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
by the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבֵאלֹהֵ֤י
of the God
H430
וּבֵאלֹהֵ֤י
of the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יַזְכִּ֔ירוּ
and make mention
H2142
יַזְכִּ֔ירוּ
and make mention
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בֶאֱמֶ֖ת
but not in truth
H571
בֶאֱמֶ֖ת
but not in truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
18 of 20
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:2And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.Psalms 68:26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.Isaiah 65:16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.Jeremiah 5:2And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.Genesis 32:28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.Deuteronomy 33:28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.Deuteronomy 6:13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.Numbers 24:7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
Historical Context
This addresses post-exilic Jews who maintained religious ritual while lacking genuine faithfulness. The prophets consistently confronted Israel's disconnect between professed identity and actual behavior, preparing for Jesus' conflicts with Pharisees.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might you 'swear by the LORD's name' in public while lacking private reality?
- How can you ensure your religious identity reflects genuine heart transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The address to those who 'swear by the name of the LORD' yet 'not in truth, nor in righteousness' exposes false profession - external religious form without internal reality. The phrase 'called by the name of Israel' but failing to live accordingly anticipates Jesus' warning about those who say 'Lord, Lord' without doing His will (Matthew 7:21). True covenant membership requires heart transformation, not mere ethnic or religious pedigree.