Isaías 48
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 48
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS As YHWH addressed Neo-Babylon in Isaiah 46 and 47, He now addresses His people, His returnees, His faithful remnant. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT (three senses) Notice the different ways Israel is referred to. O house of Jacob, Isa. 48:1 who are named Israel, Isa. 48:1 who came from the loins of Judah, Isa. 48:1 who swear by the name of the Lord, Isa. 48:1 who invoke the God of Israel, Isa. 48:1 you are obstinate, Isa. 48:4 you have been called a rebel from birth, Isa. 48:8 O Jacob, Isa. 48:12,20 Notice the different titles and descriptions of YHWH the name of the Lord, Isa. 48:1 the God of Israel, Isa. 48:1,2 I am He, Isa. 48:12 I am the first, I am the last, Isa. 48:12 the Lord (YHWH), Isa. 48:14,17,20,22 the Lord God (Adon YHWH), Isa. 48:16 Redeemer, Isa. 48:17 the Holy One, Isa. 48:17 the Lord your God, Isa. 48:17 There are several significant and theologically important verses in this section of Isaiah that will be developed in the NT. Isa. 45:23 Isa. 46:8-11 Isa. 48:8-11 Isa. 48:16 H. C. Leupold entitles this chapter "A Sharp Rebuke and a Gracious Challenge" (p. 158). This fluctuation between judgment and mercy characterizes prophetic literature and it happens side by side with little or no textual transition markers.
Isaías 48:1-11
48:1 "Hear" This is a common IMPERATIVE (BDB 1033, KB 1570) for Isaiah, as well as Deuteronomy, Kings, Job, Psalm, and Amos, to begin a new section (cf. Isa. 1:2,10; 7:13; 28:23; 36:13; 37:17; 47:8; 46:3,12; 47:8; 48:1,14,16; 49:1; 51:1,7; 55:2; 66:5). YHWH wants His message "heard" and "lived out." Divine revelation demands obedience! Truth is not only mental but lifestyle! SPECIAL TOPIC: LISTEN/HEAR (shema) ▣ "Israel" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (the name) ▣ NASB, NRSV, Peshitta "from the loins of Judah" "from the wellsprings of Judah" "you who are descended from Judah" "issued from the waters of Judah" "from the seed of Judah" "came forth out of Judah" "have issued from the waters of Judah" There are three Hebrew roots used by commentators to attempt to explain this text. "waters," מי (BDB 565, the UBS Text Project, p. 128, gives the MT a "B" rating) "loins," מעי (BDB 588, NASB, NRSV, AB; DSS, "from the inward parts") "seed," זרע (BDB 281, REB) All of these Hebrew terms are imagery for the descendants by natural means of a group, tribe, family. The UBS Text Project, p. 128, gives "from the waters" a B rating. Notice that all the descendants are designated by Jacob Israel Judah This implies the returnees were mostly from the southern three tribes called Judah. "Israel" now refers to all of Abraham's seed, as it did before the United Monarchy split in 922 B.C. ▣ "Who swear. . .invoke" Both of these VERBS refer to worship acts. swear by the name (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal PARTICIPLE, cf. Isa. 19:18; 65:16) invoke (lit. "cause to remember," BDB 269, KB 269, Hiphil IMPERFECT, cf. Isa. 12:4; 26:13; 62:6) ▣ NASB. NKJV, LXX "But not in truth nor in righteousness" "But not in truth or right" "But you don't mean a word you say" "Though not in good faith or uprightness" "Though not in truth and sincerity" "But not with honesty and sincerity" Wow, what a condemning evaluation of Israel's worship! The term "truth" is אמת (BDB 54) and means "faithfulness." See SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT For the second word, צדקה (BDB 842) see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS 48:2 The first two lines remind me of Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon" in Jeremiah 7, where the Israelites trust in the temple but not in YHWH. call themselves after the holy city (BDB 894, KB 1128, Niphal PERFECT, cf. Isa. 48:1) lean on the God of Israel (BDB 701, KB 759, Niphal PERFECT) Their worship looked orthodox and pious but it was false and directed to the wrong source. SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS 48:3 YHWH again speaks (notice the number of "I's") of His control of time and history. He uses predictive prophecy to show His people His existence and power (v. 5). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) 48:4 YHWH describes His people as obstinate (cf. Ezek. 2:4; 3:7) neck is an iron sinew forehead is bronze SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS ▣ "know" This word (BDB 393, KB 390) is used several times in this chapter (cf. Isa. 48:4,6,7,8 [twice]), where it means "knowledge about," but it should mean "intimate fellowship with." SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW 48:5 "idol" This verse mentions two kinds of false images of deities (cf. Isa. 40:20; 46:5-7). carved from wood (cf. Isa. 44:9-17; Jer. 10:1-10) cast of metal in a mold (cf. Isa. 30:22; 40:19; 41:7) 48:6 There is some question about how the VERBS of the first two lines should be translated. I like the NJB's version, "You have heard and seen all this, why won't you admit it?" The "it" refers to YHWH's predictions (cf. Isa. 42:9; 43:19; 48:5). YHWH proves His existence by His knowledge of and control of future events affecting all nations not just Israel/Judah. For "new things" see full note at Isa. 62:2. 48:8 "deal very treacherously" This intensified grammatical form is a Qal IMPERFECT and a Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root (BDB 93, KB 108). A good example is Jer. 44:15-19. ▣ "a rebel from birth" See Deut. 9:7. Even in the exit from Egypt, Israel was idolatrous (i.e. Ezek. 20:8,13; Amos 5:25-26). 48:9 This is a good summary of YHWH's problem with Abraham's seed. He wanted to use them so that the world would know Him and come to Him (cf. Gen. 12:3). But they were not faithful. He had declared, "the soul that sins it will die" (i.e. Gen. 2:16,17; Ezek. 18:4,20). Now God's word and God's purpose come into conflict. He will choose to act for the greater good (i.e. salvation of all humans, cf. 1 Sam. 12:22; Ps. 106:8; Jer. 14:7; Ezek. 20:8-9,14,17). The text that describes this so well is Ezek. 36:22-36! YHWH acts for Israel for His greater purpose! Is this not what Isa. 48:11 is affirming? This is the wonderful message of Isaiah. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 48:10 NASB, NKJV, JPSOA "tested" NRSV, Peshitta "refined" "chosen" "purified" "delivered" The MT has the VERB "choose" (בחר, BDB 103, KB 119, Qal PERFECT, NJB), but the DSS scroll of Isaiah has a similar VERB "tested" (בחן, BDB 103, KB 119), which fits the context better. The UBS Text Project gives "refined" a "B" rating. 48:11 This verse is similar in content to Ezek. 36:22-36. The last line is reflected in Isa. 42:8. ▣ "how can My name be profaned?" "how should My name be profaned?"" NRSV, NJB "why should My name be profaned?" "I will not let my name be dishonored" "I will not let my name be profaned" "Lest [My name} be dishonored!" "that my name may not be polluted" "because my name is profaned" In the UBS Text Project, p. 130, the committee gives four possible textual options, but it cannot decide which one is original. how should it be profaned how should my name be profaned how should I be profaned how should my praise be profaned It chose option 3 as the best guess.
Isaías 48:12-16
48:12 "Listen" See full note at v. 1. ▣ "I am He, I am the first, I am also the last" This is a recurrent idiom in Isaiah (cf. Isa. 41:4; 44:6) and becomes a common designation for Christ in Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13! It is theologically parallel to "I am the Alpha and Omega" (cf. Rev. 1:8). It denotes the God of creation (Isa. 48:13; Jesus was the Father's agent in creation, cf. John 1:3,10; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2) and eternity—eternity past, eternity future (i.e. time). The only God is YHWH. SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM 48:14 "Assemble, all of you" This command to gather (BDB 867, KB 1062, Niphal IMPERATIVE) refers to "O Jacob, even Israel" of v. 12. ▣ "listen" See note at 48:1. ▣ "Who among them has declared these things" The "who" seems, in context, to refer to the astrologers, false propehts, and enchanters of Isa. 42:11. YHWH shows His reality by His predictions and actions, which surprised the hearers. The things delcared have to do with His judgment on Neo-Babylon by Cyrus II (Persia). YHWH loves him YHWH will carry out His good pleasure through him 48:15 The first phrase ("I, even I, have spoken," BDB 180, KB 210, Piel PERFECT) is a way of accepting the power of YHWH's spoken word (cf. Isa. 55:11). His purposes cannot be thwarted! ▣ Notice YHWH's actions toward His instrument (i.e. Cyrus II) for His covenant people's release from exile I have spoken ‒ BDB 180, KB 210, Piel PERFECT I have called him ‒ BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal PERFECT I have brought him ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil PERFECT He will make his ways successful ‒ BDB 852, KB 1026, Hiphil PERFECT with waw 48:16 "Come near to Me, listen to this" These two IMPERATIVES match/parallel the two IMPERATIVES of v. 14, "assemble, all of you and listen." ▣ "From the first I have not spoken in secret" YHWH made His plans, will, and future events known through revelation to Moses revelation from the prophets Israel/Judah knew exactly what YHWH wanted and expected from them. ▣ "now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit" "and now the Lord God and HIs Spirit have sent Me" "and now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit" "Now the Sovereign Lord has given me his power and sent Me" "and now Lord Yahweh has sent me with his spirit " "and now the Lord God has sent me, endowed with His Spirit" "and now the Lord has sent me and his spirit" omit Wow! How many persons and who are they who are being mentioned? Who is the speaker? Obviously, the first is YHWH. His Spirit is probably the same as Gen. 1:2; Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1. But who is the "me"? the prophet Isaiah speaking for YHWH the Messiah (or the Servant) Cyrus II (as if speaking, vv. 14-15) Christians can easily see the Trinity in this text (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY, II>). The same three persons are mentioned again in Isa. 61:1. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT
Isaías 48:17-19
48:17 "the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel" This is a recurrent use of divine title in this section of Isaiah (cf. Isa. 41:14; 43:14; 49:7,26; 54:5,8). It is expressed in a slightly different but parallel way in Isa. 49:26, "I the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. (YHWH) SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE ▣ "your God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. (Eloah) ▣ "who teaches you to profit" This is the use of the root "profit" (BDB 418 I, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) in the sense of advantage (cf. Job 21:15; 35:3; Jer. 12:13; Isa. 47:12). Often it is used of what idols cannot do for the worshiper (cf. Isa. 44:9,10; 57:12; 1 Sam. 12:21; Jer. 2:8; 7:8,11; 23:32; Hab. 2:18). ▣ "Who leads you in the way you should go" This is the Semitic idiom of the righteous life as a "good path" (cf. Ps. 32:8; 119:105; Prov. 1:1-6). Here it probably refers to YHWH's presence and provisions on the way home from exile (cf. Isa. 48:20; 49:9-10). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY 48:18-19 This is a "what if. . ." text that reflects the covenant blessing and cursing of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. Israel sinned and reaped the terrible consequences. She was created for righteousness and revelation, but disobedience and idolatry led to darkness and confusion. 48:19 "Like the sand" The OT uses these images for Israel's descendants. dust stars sand See full list of texts at Gen. 13:16 and 15:5 online. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS
Isaías 48:20-22
48:20 This is a series of commands to the returning exiles. Go forth from Babylon ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 422, KB 425) Flee from the Chaldeans ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 137, KB 156) Declare with the sound of joyful shouting ‒ Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 616, KB 665) Proclaim this ‒ Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 1033, KB 1570) Send it out to the end of the earth ‒ Hiphil IMPERATIVE (BDB 422, KB 425) Say. . . ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 55, KB 65) YHWH announces to His people to leave exile and go home. To the world He announces His purpose (cf. Isa. 62:11; Jer. 31:10; 50:2) and that He has accomplished it! He wants the world to know so they will come to know Him (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 42:6; 45:22-23; 51:4-5; 60:1,3; Acts 13:46-49)! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 48:21 The return from Assyrian and Babylonian exile was seen as a new exodus (i.e. Isa. 35:6; 49:10) and wilderness wandering (i.e. Exod. 17:6; Deut. 8:15). YHWH will provide their every need. He will be with them as He was with the Israelites during the exodus. 48:22 This is a summary statement related to unbelievers and idolaters (cf. Isa. 57:21; 59:8). Any path without YHWH is a path of destruction and ruin. This decision-making process is known in the OT as "the two ways" (cf. Deut. 30:15,19; Ps. 1:1; Prov. 4:10-19; Jer. 21:8; Matt. 7:13-14). SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT)