Isaiah Chapter 65 · Verse 12
Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Original Language Analysis
וּמָנִ֨יתִי
Therefore will I number
H4487
וּמָנִ֨יתִי
Therefore will I number
Strong's:
H4487
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
אֶתְכֶ֜ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַחֶ֗רֶב
you to the sword
H2719
לַחֶ֗רֶב
you to the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
3 of 20
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְכֻלְּכֶם֙
H3605
וְכֻלְּכֶם֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לַטֶּ֣בַח
to the slaughter
H2874
לַטֶּ֣בַח
to the slaughter
Strong's:
H2874
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
תִּכְרָ֔עוּ
and ye shall all bow down
H3766
תִּכְרָ֔עוּ
and ye shall all bow down
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
6 of 20
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
יַ֤עַן
H3282
יַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
קָרָ֙אתִי֙
because when I called
H7121
קָרָ֙אתִי֙
because when I called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֲנִיתֶ֔ם
ye did not answer
H6030
עֲנִיתֶ֔ם
ye did not answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
when I spake
H1696
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
when I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
ye did not hear
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
ye did not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַתַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
but did
H6213
וַתַּעֲשׂ֤וּ
but did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּעֵינַ֔י
before mine eyes
H5869
בְּעֵינַ֔י
before mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
16 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
וּבַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Historical Context
This judgment corresponds to their sin. They chose Fate; God chooses their fate. Divine calling rejected leads to divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment often correspond to the nature of the sin?
- What does it mean to 'not answer' and 'not hear' when God calls?
Analysis & Commentary
'Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.' Wordplay on 'Meni' (number): since you serve 'number,' I will number you to judgment. The Hebrew 'manah' (number/destine) is ironic. Despite calling and speaking, they didn't answer or hear - deliberate choice of evil.