Isaiah 48:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-8

We may observe here, I. The hypocritical profession which many of the Jews made of religion and relation to God. To those who made such a profession the prophet is here ordered to address himself, for their conviction and humiliation, that they might own God's justice in what he had brought upon them. Now observe here, 1. How high their profession of religion soared, what a fair show they made in the flesh and how far they went towards heaven, what a good livery they wore and what a good face... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city ,.... The city Jerusalem, so called because the temple, the place of divine worship, was in it, the residence of the Holy One of Israel: they valued themselves, not only upon their being of the family of Jacob, and of the tribe of Judah, but that they were inhabitants of Jerusalem, the holy city; as many now call themselves fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, when they are strangers both to God and his people in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-2

The offence of insincerity. "Not in truth, nor in righteousness." The prophet mentions the usual outward marks of the true Israelite; but, in the case of those whom he addressed, these were mere formalities, they were disconnected from a personal and living faith in God. These people said they were Jews, but they were not. Their professions could not stand the examinations of the Heart-searcher. To the good man—and how much more to the great and holy God!—insincerity is absolutely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-9

Things worth heeding concerning God and man. "Hear ye this:" this is something well worth the earnest attention of men; their truest worth and their lasting interests are bound up in the knowledge and regard of it. I. MAN 'S CRIMINAL INCONSISTENCY WITH HIMSELF . ( Isaiah 48:1 , Isaiah 48:2 .) Men may go very far in conduct which is quite at variance with "the spirit which is in them:" they may say or do one thing, and be the very opposite. One might think that though... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

"Hear ye this," etc.; Isaiah 48:12-15 , "Hearken unto me," etc.; Isaiah 48:16-22 , "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this," etc. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

THE FIRST ADDRESS consists mainly of expostulation and complaint. Israel has not called on God "in truth and righteousness" ( Isaiah 48:1 ). They have had "necks of iron" and "brows of brass" ( Isaiah 48:4 ). God has given them prophecies of different kinds ( Isaiah 48:3-7 ); yet they have neither "heard" nor "known;" they have "dealt treacherously" and been "transgressors from the womb" ( Isaiah 48:8 ). God might justly have "cut them off" for their rebellion, but he has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

Lessons from the past to the future. Those addressed are the people "named from Israel and sprung from Judah's spring;" who swear by Jehovah's Name and render homage to Israel's God—not, alas! so sincerely as they should. Still, they have learned to find their true reliance in Zion and in Jahveh. Let them, then, hear the exhortation of Jehovah. I. THE ORACLE OF THE PAST . Jehovah has in former times predicted events by the mouth of his prophets which came to pass. Those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-22

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city . It is an indication of their real want of truth and righteousness, that they lay such stress upon what is so entirely outward and formal, as the fact of their belonging to" the holy city," Jerusalem. Compare the boast of the Jews in our Lord's time, "We be Abraham's seed" ( John 8:33 ). Stay themselves upon the God of Israel. Not resting upon him in real faith and true humble dependence, as those Israelites who are mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city - Of Jerusalem (see Isaiah 52:1; Nehemiah 11:1; Matthew 4:5; Matthew 27:53; Revelation 21:2-27). The word rendered ‘for’ here, (כי kı̂y) means, as it often does, “although”; and the sense is, although they call themselves of the holy city, they do not worship God in sincerity and truth. Jerusalem was called ‘the holy city,’ because the temple, the ark, and the symbol of the divine presence were there, and it was the place where God was worshipped. It... read more

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