Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Original Language Analysis
מָר֥וּ
But they rebelled
H4784
מָר֥וּ
But they rebelled
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
2 of 12
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
וְעִצְּב֖וּ
and vexed
H6087
וְעִצְּב֖וּ
and vexed
Strong's:
H6087
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֣וּחַ
Spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
Spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 12
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
his holy
H6944
קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
his holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
6 of 12
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וַיֵּהָפֵ֥ךְ
therefore he was turned
H2015
וַיֵּהָפֵ֥ךְ
therefore he was turned
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
7 of 12
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
ה֥וּא
H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Psalms 78:40How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!Psalms 78:56Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:Jeremiah 21:5And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.Psalms 78:8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.Psalms 51:11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.Exodus 15:24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?Exodus 23:21Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
Historical Context
This records the pattern of Judges and Kings - covenant rebellion provoking divine discipline. The Holy Spirit's personal nature appears clearly; He can be grieved.
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers 'grieve' the Holy Spirit today?
- What does it mean that persistent rebellion turns God into an opponent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.' The tender passage turns to tragedy. They 'vexed' (atsab - grieved, pained) God's Holy Spirit. This produces the shocking reversal: God becomes their enemy. Ephesians 4:30 echoes: 'grieve not the holy Spirit of God.'