Isaiah 63:16

Authorized King James Version

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Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י Doubtless H3588
כִּ֤י Doubtless
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַתָּ֣ה H859
אַתָּ֣ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 2 of 16
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
אָבִ֔ינוּ art our father H1
אָבִ֔ינוּ art our father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 3 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כִּ֤י Doubtless H3588
כִּ֤י Doubtless
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַבְרָהָם֙ though Abraham H85
אַבְרָהָם֙ though Abraham
Strong's: H85
Word #: 5 of 16
abraham, the later name of abram
לֹ֣א be ignorant H3808
לֹ֣א be ignorant
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדָעָ֔נוּ H3045
יְדָעָ֔נוּ
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 7 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of us and Israel H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of us and Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 8 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֣א be ignorant H3808
לֹ֣א be ignorant
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַכִּירָ֑נוּ acknowledge H5234
יַכִּירָ֑נוּ acknowledge
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 10 of 16
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
אַתָּ֤ה H859
אַתָּ֤ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 11 of 16
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
יְהוָה֙ us not thou O LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ us not thou O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אָבִ֔ינוּ art our father H1
אָבִ֔ינוּ art our father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 13 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
גֹּאֲלֵ֥נוּ our redeemer H1350
גֹּאֲלֵ֥נוּ our redeemer
Strong's: H1350
Word #: 14 of 16
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
מֵֽעוֹלָ֖ם is from everlasting H5769
מֵֽעוֹלָ֖ם is from everlasting
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 15 of 16
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ thy name H8034
שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 16 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Cross References

Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Jeremiah 3:19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.Deuteronomy 32:6Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?Malachi 2:10Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?Isaiah 41:14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.Malachi 1:6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?Isaiah 43:14Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.Job 14:21His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Analysis & Commentary

'Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.' Even if patriarchs wouldn't recognize the current generation (so changed by suffering and sin), God remains Father and Redeemer. The Hebrew 'ab' (father) is emphasized twice. Relationship transcends human lineage.

Historical Context

This remarkable confession acknowledges a relationship to God deeper than Abrahamic descent. It anticipates New Testament teaching about spiritual sonship through faith.

Questions for Reflection

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