Isaiah 1:2, Isaiah 1:3 KJV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 1:2

Hear, O heavens - This is properly the beginning of the prophecy. It is a sublime commencement; and is of a highly poetic character. The heavens and the earth are summoned to bear witness to the apostasy, ingratitude, and deep depravity of the chosen people of God. The address is expressive of deep feeling - the bursting forth of a heart filled with amazement at a wonderful and unusual event. The same sublime beginning is found in the song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32:1 :Give ear, O ye heavens, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 1:2

Isaiah 1:2. Hear, O heavens, &c. “God is introduced as entering upon a solemn and public action, or pleading, before the whole world, against his disobedient people. The prophet, as herald, or officer, to proclaim the summons to the court, calls upon all created beings, celestial and terrestrial, to attend and bear witness to the truth of his plea, and the justice of his cause.” Bishop Lowth. See the same scene more fully displayed, Psalms 50:3-4. With the like invocation Moses begins... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 1:1-9

1:1-6:13JUDAH AN UNCLEAN PEOPLEGod judges Judah (1:1-9)The opening chapter introduces most of the main issues that the prophet is to deal with, and therefore is a summary of the overall message of the book. The scene is one of judgment. God is the judge, his people the accused, heaven and earth the witnesses. The charge is that Judah has rebelled against God. Even animals are grateful for what their masters do for them, but the people of Judah show no gratitude to their heavenly Father... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 1:2

Hear, heavens. Figure of speech Apostrophe . App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch ( App-92 ). It commences like the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1 . See notes, p. 283), and is the commentary on it. Note the connection of the two books, Isaiah the necessary sequel to Deuteronomy. This verse was put on the title-page of early English Bibles, claiming the right of all to hear what Jehovah hath spoken. for. Note the reason given. the Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . hath spoken: i.e., articulately. Not... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Isaiah 1:2

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me,"This whole prophecy is very largely devoted to the great apostasy of the chosen people and their consequent loss of their status as being anything special in the eyes of God. There are many even today who simply have failed to understand this essential message of Isaiah. The appeal to heaven and earth to "hear" suggests a formal arraignment in a court of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 1:2

Isaiah 1:2. Hear, O heavens, &c.— We have observed, that this first part of the book of Isaiah is comprehended in five sermons to the Jews; the first of which is contained in this chapter, the second in the chapters ii, iii, 4: the third in chap. 5: the fourth in chap. 6: the fifth in chap. 7:—xii. The first sermon contains a judicial appeal, urged by the prophet in the name of God, against the Jews and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as covenant-breakers and hypocrites; in which he sharply... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 1:2

2. The very words of Moses ( :-); this implies that the law was the charter and basis of all prophecy (Isaiah 8:20). Lord—Jehovah; in Hebrew, "the self-existing and promise-fulfilling, unchangeable One." The Jews never pronounced this holy name, but substituted Adonai. The English Version, LORD in capitals, marks the Hebrew "Jehovah," though Lord is rather equivalent to "Adonai" than "Jehovah." children— (Isaiah 8:20- :). rebelled—as sons (Isaiah 8:20- :) and as subjects, God being king in the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 1:2-3

God Himself charged the Israelites with their sin. He called the heavens and earth to witness His indictment against His people (cf. Deuteronomy 30:19; Deuteronomy 32:1). His people had not only violated His covenant but common decency and good sense. Isaiah’s references to the Mosaic Covenant were less explicit than Jeremiah’s were, though both men viewed the covenant as the basis of Israelite life.It was unthinkable that children should revolt against a loving father who nurtured them. Even... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 1:2-9

2. Israel’s condition 1:2-9Israel was guilty of forsaking her God and, as a result, she had become broken and desolate. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 1:1-31

Jehovah’s Arraignment of His PeopleThis chapter is general in character, and much of it (e.g. Isaiah 1:10-17) might refer to almost any period. This general character of the prophecy renders it especially suitable as an introduction, and may account for its position at the beginning of the book. It gives us a picture of the internal condition of Judah in Isaiah’s age, and not only brings out his characteristic teaching, but more than any other OT. passage indicates the general line of prophetic... read more