Isaiah Chapter 48 · Verse 8
Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
Original Language Analysis
גַּ֣ם
H1571
גַּ֣ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
Yea thou heardest
H8085
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
Yea thou heardest
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
גַּ֚ם
H1571
גַּ֚ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
for I knew
H3045
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
for I knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
גַּ֕ם
H1571
גַּ֕ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מֵאָ֖ז
H227
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פִתְּחָ֣ה
was not opened
H6605
פִתְּחָ֣ה
was not opened
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
10 of 19
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
אָזְנֶ֑ךָ
not yea from that time that thine ear
H241
אָזְנֶ֑ךָ
not yea from that time that thine ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
11 of 19
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
for I knew
H3045
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
for I knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
13 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תִּבְגּ֔וֹד
that thou wouldest deal very
H898
תִּבְגּ֔וֹד
that thou wouldest deal very
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
15 of 19
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
וּפֹשֵׁ֥עַ
a transgressor
H6586
וּפֹשֵׁ֥עַ
a transgressor
Strong's:
H6586
Word #:
16 of 19
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
מִבֶּ֖טֶן
from the womb
H990
מִבֶּ֖טֶן
from the womb
Strong's:
H990
Word #:
17 of 19
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
Cross References
Psalms 58:3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.Malachi 2:11Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.Hosea 5:7They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
Historical Context
This explains Israel's persistent rebellion despite covenant privileges - it wasn't merely bad examples but inborn corruption. Paul systematically develops this doctrine in Romans 5:12-19, tracing sin to Adam.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding your identity as 'transgressor from the womb' humble your self-righteousness?
- What implications does original sin have for how you raise children and understand human nature?
Analysis & Commentary
The accusation 'thou wast called a transgressor from the womb' asserts original sin - sinfulness from conception, not merely bad choices later. This foundational doctrine (Psalm 51:5) explains why human effort cannot save and why new birth is necessary. The name 'transgressor from the womb' demolishes all merit theology and establishes the necessity of sovereign grace.