Isaiah 48:2
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵעִ֤יר
city
H5892
מֵעִ֤יר
city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 11
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
themselves of the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙
themselves of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
3 of 11
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
נִקְרָ֔אוּ
For they call
H7121
נִקְרָ֔אוּ
For they call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
4 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
themselves upon the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
themselves upon the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 11
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נִסְמָ֑כוּ
and stay
H5564
נִסְמָ֑כוּ
and stay
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
8 of 11
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.Isaiah 10:20And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.Romans 2:17Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,Jeremiah 21:2Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.Matthew 27:53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Historical Context
This rebuke addresses Judah during the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC). Despite Jerusalem's destruction and temple desecration - divine judgment for covenant violation - the exiles still presumed upon God's protection based on ancestry and election. They "called themselves of the holy city" even while that city lay in ruins. This misunderstanding of unconditional election (God's choice of Israel) as unconditional preservation (immunity from judgment) persists among covenant communities who assume external identification guarantees divine favor.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might you be 'calling yourself' by Christian identity while failing to 'stay upon' God through genuine trust and obedience?
- How does presuming upon God's grace without pursuing holiness parallel Israel's error of claiming covenant privilege without covenant faithfulness?
- What evidence in your life demonstrates that your profession of faith is genuine rather than merely nominal?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel. Isaiah exposes Israel's presumption - claiming covenant privilege without covenant obedience. The verb qara (call themselves) indicates self-designation; Israel appropriates the title "holy city" without pursuing holiness. Similarly, samach (stay, lean upon) suggests confidence in God's protection while ignoring His commandments. This is covenant nominalism - maintaining the forms while abandoning the substance.
The phrase "The LORD of hosts is his name" should ground genuine worship and obedience, yet Israel uses God's title as magical insurance rather than moral imperative. God's covenant name YHWH Tzeva'ot (LORD of hosts) emphasizes His sovereign power over all creation - which should inspire reverent obedience, not presumptuous security. Israel assumes that possessing correct theology about God substitutes for relationship with God.
From a Reformed perspective, this verse condemns dead orthodoxy - affirming truth about God while living in practical atheism. Many claim Christ's name, attend church, and affirm sound doctrine yet remain unconverted. Jesus confronted similar hypocrisy: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom" (Matthew 7:21). True faith produces obedience; profession without transformation reveals false assurance.