Isaiah 65:15
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֨ם
And ye shall leave
H3240
וְהִנַּחְתֶּ֨ם
And ye shall leave
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
1 of 11
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
שֵׁ֥ם
name
H8034
שֵׁ֥ם
name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
2 of 11
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וֶהֱמִיתְךָ֖
shall slay
H4191
וֶהֱמִיתְךָ֖
shall slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יִקְרָ֖א
thee and call
H7121
יִקְרָ֖א
thee and call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 62:2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.Romans 9:26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.Zechariah 8:13And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.Isaiah 65:9And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.Jeremiah 29:22And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;Isaiah 65:22They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Historical Context
The rebellious Israelites who rejected God's covenant became proverbial examples of judgment—like Sodom and Gomorrah. Conversely, believers received new names: Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter. The early church was called "Christians" (Acts 11:26)—a new identity in Christ. This pattern continues: those who reject Christ are identified with judgment, while believers are identified as children of God (1 John 3:1), saints, the elect—names signifying new identity and destiny.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that the rebellious leave their name 'for a curse'?
- How has God given you a 'new name'—new identity in Christ?
- What responsibility comes with bearing the name 'Christian' or 'servant of God'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God pronounces judgment on the rebellious: "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee." Their name becomes a byword for divine judgment—others will use it as a curse formula (Jeremiah 29:22). The Hebrew shevuah (curse/oath) suggests their name exemplifies what happens to those who rebel against God. "The Lord GOD shall slay thee" uses hemit (put to death), indicating decisive judgment. Then comes the glorious contrast: "and call his servants by another name." God's servants receive new identity—shem acher (another name) replacing the old. This anticipates Revelation 2:17's "new name" and 3:12's writing of God's name on overcomers. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the total identity transformation in salvation. The old name (identity in Adam, defined by sin and rebellion) is replaced by a new name (identity in Christ, defined by righteousness and adoption). The wicked remain defined by their rebellion and face its consequences; the righteous receive new identity rooted in God's gracious naming.