Isaiah1
English Standard Version
1The of the of , he and in the of , , , and , of .
2 , O , and , O ; the Lord has : have I and brought , but they have against me.
3The its , and the its , but does , my do .
4 , , a with , of , who ! They have the Lord, they have the of , they are .
5 will you still be ? Why will you to ? The is , and the .
6 the of the even the , there is in it, but and and ; they are or or with .
7Your lies ; your are with ; in your very your ; it is , as by .
8And the of is like a in a , like a in a , like a .
9 the Lord of had us a , we should have like , and become .
10 the of the Lord, you of, ! to the of our , you of !
11 to me is the of your ? the Lord; I have had of of and the of ; I do in the of , or of , or of .
12When you to me, has of of my ?
13 ; is an to me. and and the of — I and .
14Your and your my ; they have become a to me; I am of them.
15When you your , I will my you; though you make , I will ; your are of .
16 ; make ; the of your my ; to do ,
17 to do ; , ; to the , the .
18 , let us , the Lord: your are like , they shall be as as ; they are like , they shall become like .
19 you are and , you shall the of the ;
20but you and , you shall be the ; the of the Lord has .
21 the has become a , she who was of ! in her, but .
22Your has , your with .
23Your are and of . a and . They do to the , and the does to them.
24 the , the Lord of , the of : , I will my and myself my .
25I will my you and will away your as with and your .
26And I will your as at the , and your as at the . you shall be the of , the .
27 shall be by , and those in her who , by .
28But and shall be , and those who the Lord shall be .
29 they shall be of the you ; and you shall for the you have .
30 you shall be like an whose , and like a .
31And the shall , and his a , and of them shall , with to them.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The corruptions prevailing among the Jews. (1-9). Severe censures. (10-15). Exhortations to repentance. (16-20). The state of Judah is lamented; with gracious promises of the gospel times. (21-31).
vv1-9
Isaiah signifies, "The salvation of the Lord;" a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and his salvation. God's professing people did not know or consider that they owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly care and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls! Not considering what we do know in religion, does us as much harm, as ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was universal. Here is a comparison taken from a sick and diseased body. The distemper threatens to be mortal. From the sole of the foot even to the head; from the meanest peasant to the greatest peer, there is no soundness, no good principle, no religion, for that is the health of the soul. Nothing but guilt and corruption; the sad effects of Adam's fall. This passage declares the total depravity of human nature. While sin remains unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventing fatal effects. Jerusalem was exposed and unprotected, like the huts or sheds built up to guard ripening fruits. These are still to be seen in the East, where fruits form a large part of the summer food of the people. But the Lord had a small remnant of pious servants at Jerusalem. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and his sanctifying Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.
vv10-15
Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. This awakened them to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them leave to go on in their sin. Many who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They relied on the mere form as a service deserving a reward. The most costly devotions of wicked people, without thorough reformation of heart and life, cannot be acceptable to God. He not only did not accept them, but he abhorred them. All this shows that sin is very hateful to God. If we allow ourselves in secret sin, or forbidden indulgences; if we reject the salvation of Christ, our very prayers will become abomination.
vv16-20
Not only feel sorrow for the sin committed, but break off the practice. We must be doing, not stand idle. We must be doing the good the Lord our God requires. It is plain that the sacrifices of the law could not atone, even for outward national crimes. But, blessed be God, there is a Fountain opened, in which sinners of every age and rank may be cleansed. Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, a deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, and afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy will take out the stain, Ps. 51:7. They should have all the happiness and comfort they could desire. Life and death, good and evil, are set before us. O Lord, incline all of us to live to thy glory.
Key Words
חָזוֹן: a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle
יְשַׁעְיָה: Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אָמוֹץ: Amots, an Israelite
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
חָזָה: to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have avision of
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם: Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Cross References
Isaiah 1Direct verbal echo of Moses' covenant witness: 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth.'
Supported by JFB
Paul directly quotes this verse in Greek to demonstrate the preservation of a faithful remnant.
Parallels the contrast between migrating birds knowing their times and Israel's ignorance.
Supported by JFB
Deep thematic connection using the exact imagery of being washed whiter than snow.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jerusalem restored and called again "the city of truth" and "the faithful city."
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Legal background from the Torah regarding the punishment for a stubborn and rebellious son.
Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole
Spiritually equates Jerusalem with Sodom and Egypt, continuing Isaiah's prophetic identification.
Matches the divine rejection of ritual sacrifices without heart obedience and righteousness.
Strong contemporary prophetic parallel: God hating and despising their feast days.
Summarizes the call to walk humbly, seek justice, and care for the vulnerable.
God planted Israel a noble vine, but she turned into a degenerate, unfaithful plant.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Elaborates on the metaphor of Israel becoming dross in the furnace to be melted.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The Lord acts as a refiner's fire to purge away dross from His people.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates the typical ancient Middle Eastern medical treatment of binding and mollifying wounds with oil.
Supported by JFB
Isaiah's own later development of the desolate, trodden-down vineyard metaphor.
Parallel warning that those who reject wisdom will cry out but God will not answer.
Reprobate silver because the Lord has rejected them, echoing the dross imagery.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Condemns rulers whose drink is diluted or sour, loving shameful gifts instead of justice.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Law forbidding the very bribery, gift-loving, and perverted justice condemned by Isaiah.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels rulers who judge for reward and priests who teach for hire.
Supported by JFB
The unquenchable fire of judgment that burns up the chaff, matching the fading oak.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The foundational Torah definition of how Yahweh speaks to prophets via visions.
Supported by JFB
The covenant curse of the sword and desolation for refusing to obey.
Lament over the gold becoming dim, echoing the decline of the faithful city.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Lord finding ease or comfort in executing His anger against His adversaries.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Sacrificing under oaks, poplars, and elms, connecting to the desired pagan oaks.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The wicked as a parched shrub in the desert, matching the waterless garden.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The future blessing of Jerusalem being called the habitation of justice and holiness.
Supported by JFB