Isaiah 58:1
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Original Language Analysis
קְרָ֤א
Cry
H7121
קְרָ֤א
Cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
3 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּחְשֹׂ֔ךְ
spare
H2820
תַּחְשֹׂ֔ךְ
spare
Strong's:
H2820
Word #:
4 of 13
to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
כַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר
like a trumpet
H7782
כַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר
like a trumpet
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
5 of 13
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
הָרֵ֣ם
not lift
H7311
הָרֵ֣ם
not lift
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
6 of 13
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וְהַגֵּ֤ד
and shew
H5046
וְהַגֵּ֤ד
and shew
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לְעַמִּי֙
my people
H5971
לְעַמִּי֙
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
פִּשְׁעָ֔ם
their transgression
H6588
פִּשְׁעָ֔ם
their transgression
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
10 of 13
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
וּלְבֵ֥ית
and the house
H1004
וּלְבֵ֥ית
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Titus 2:15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.Hosea 8:1Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.Ezekiel 20:4Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:Isaiah 40:6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:Isaiah 56:10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.Ezekiel 22:2Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.Revelation 1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Historical Context
Isaiah's ministry included both comfort (ch. 40) and confrontation (ch. 58). The people maintained religious ritual (fasting, v. 3) while tolerating injustice, requiring prophetic exposure. True pastoral care includes 'crying aloud' against sin, as Jesus confronted Pharisees and apostles rebuked churches.
Questions for Reflection
- How comfortable are you with preachers who 'cry aloud' exposing sin versus those who only encourage?
- What sins in your life need prophetic 'trumpet blast' rather than gentle suggestion?
Analysis & Commentary
The command 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet' calls for bold, uncompromising proclamation of sin. The dual address 'shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins' indicates that covenant community needs regular confrontation with their rebellion. This establishes that faithful preaching includes exposing sin, not just positive encouragement. God's people need prophetic rebuke, not therapeutic affirmation.