Isaiah 48:1
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
Study Note
Study Note
God addresses the house of Jacob as those called by the name of Israel and who swear by the Lord 'but not in truth, nor in righteousness' — naming Israel while indicting the emptiness of her covenant claims. The passage (48:1-11) confronts a characteristic Isaianic tension: Israel uses the right theological vocabulary ('I called upon the God of Israel') while her actual trust is misplaced. The confession of the divine name without corresponding faithfulness is a form of blasphemy — taking the name in vain in the deepest sense. Jesus' critique of those who 'say, Lord, Lord' but do not do the Father's will (Matthew 7:21-23) works with the same theological logic of name-use without covenant substance.
Other Translations
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, Who are called by the name of Israel, And from the waters of Judah came out, Who are swearing by the name of Jehovah, And of the God of Israel make mention, Not in truth nor in righteousness.
Give ear to this, O family of Jacob, you who are named by the name of Israel, and have come out of the body of Judah; who take oaths by the name of the Lord, and make use of the name of the God of Israel, but not truly and not in good faith.
Cross References
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power …
And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel …
And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of …
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am …
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king …
And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, …
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by …
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; …
Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the Lord, neither do they after their statutes, …