Isaiah 62:12
And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Original Language Analysis
יִקָּרֵ֣א
And they shall call
H7121
יִקָּרֵ֣א
And they shall call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַם
people
H5971
עַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
them The holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
them The holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
4 of 12
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
גְּאוּלֵ֣י
The redeemed
H1350
גְּאוּלֵ֣י
The redeemed
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
5 of 12
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִקָּרֵ֣א
And they shall call
H7121
יִקָּרֵ֣א
And they shall call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 12
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דְרוּשָׁ֔ה
Sought out
H1875
דְרוּשָׁ֔ה
Sought out
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
עִ֖יר
A city
H5892
עִ֖יר
A city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Isaiah 62:4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.Deuteronomy 26:19And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.Isaiah 35:9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:Deuteronomy 28:9The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.Deuteronomy 7:6For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Isaiah 42:16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.Psalms 107:2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Historical Context
These names apply to the church as well - we are holy, redeemed, sought, and never forsaken. Peter echoes this: 'a holy nation, a peculiar people' (1 Peter 2:9).
Questions for Reflection
- Which of these four names most speaks to your current need?
- How does being 'sought out' describe God's initiative toward you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.' Four new names summarize Zion's identity: 'holy people' (set apart), 'redeemed of the LORD' (purchased/delivered), 'sought out' (pursued with love), and 'not forsaken' (never abandoned). Identity is completely transformed.