Isaiah 48:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁמְעוּ
H8085
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
זֹ֣את
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#3
בֵּֽית
H1004
ye this O house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
H3290
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#5
הַנִּקְרָאִים֙
H7121
which are called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#6
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
H8034
by the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
וּמִמֵּ֥י
H4325
out of the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#9
יְהוּדָ֖ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#10
יָצָ֑אוּ
H3318
and are come forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#11
הַֽנִּשְׁבָּעִ֣ים׀
H7650
which swear
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#12
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
H8034
by the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#13
יְהוָ֗ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
וּבֵאלֹהֵ֤י
H430
of the God
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
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
יַזְכִּ֔ירוּ
H2142
and make mention
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#17
לֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#18
בֶאֱמֶ֖ת
H571
but not in truth
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
#19
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
בִצְדָקָֽה׃
H6666
nor in righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes righteousness in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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