Isaiah 51:7
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hearken
H8085
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יֹ֣דְעֵי
unto me ye that know
H3045
יֹ֣דְעֵי
unto me ye that know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
צֶ֔דֶק
righteousness
H6664
צֶ֔דֶק
righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
4 of 14
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
עַ֖ם
the people
H5971
עַ֖ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תּוֹרָתִ֣י
is my law
H8451
תּוֹרָתִ֣י
is my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
6 of 14
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
בְלִבָּ֑ם
in whose heart
H3820
בְלִבָּ֑ם
in whose heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
7 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 14
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּֽירְאוּ֙
fear
H3372
תִּֽירְאוּ֙
fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
9 of 14
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֱנ֔וֹשׁ
of men
H582
אֱנ֔וֹשׁ
of men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
Cross References
Psalms 37:31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.Matthew 5:11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Ezekiel 2:6And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.1 Peter 4:14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.Isaiah 51:1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.Psalms 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.Jeremiah 1:17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.2 Corinthians 3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.1 Peter 4:4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Historical Context
Exiles faced mockery from Babylonians and later opposition rebuilding Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:1-3). The internalized law sustained faithful remnant through ridicule. Same principle applies to Christians facing secular culture's contempt.
Questions for Reflection
- How does having God's law 'in your heart' (internalized Word) provide courage to withstand cultural opposition?
- What reproaches or revilings are you tempted to avoid by compromising biblical standards?
Analysis & Commentary
The address to those with 'my law in your heart' describes true believers - internal transformation, not mere external conformity (Jeremiah 31:33). The command 'fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings' calls for courage grounded in divine approval over human opinion. Those with God's word internalized can withstand social pressure because identity rests in God, not peer acceptance.