Isaiah Chapter 48

“Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, &c.] Who were of the house and family of Jacob, his descendants and posterity; and who were of the house of the God of Jacob, had a name and a place there, at least in profession: which are called by the name of Israel; a name given to Jacob, because of his prevalence with God in prayer; but these had only the name, not the thing, however not as yet; they were neither praying Jacobs, nor prevailing Israels; they were not Israelites indeed: and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; that is, were of the seed of Judah, as the Targum, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi interpret it; these were…”

“THE THINGS THAT BEFALL BABYLON JEHOVAH PREDICTED LONG BEFORE, LEST ISRAEL SHOULD ATTRIBUTE THEM, IN ITS "OBSTINATE" PERVERSITY, TO STRANGE GODS (Isa 48:1-5). (Isa. 48:1-22) the waters of Judah--spring from the fountain of Judah (Num 24:7; Deu 33:28; Psa 68:26; Margin). Judah has the "fountain" attributed to it, because it survived the ten tribes, and from it Messiah was to spring. swear by . . . Lord-- (Isa 19:18; Isa 45:23; Isa 65:16). mention--in prayers and praises. not in truth-- (Jer 5:2; Joh 4:24).”

“Hear ye this - This is an address to the Jews regarded as in Babylon, and is designed to remind them of their origin, and of their privileges as the descendants of Jacob, and having the name of Israel (compare the notes at Isaiah 43:1). And are come forth out of the waters of Judah - This metaphor is taken from a fountain which sends forth its streams of water, and the idea is, that they owed their origin to Judah, as the streams flowed from a fountain. A similar figure is used by Balaam in describing the vast increase of the Jews: Numbers 34:0 ‘He shall pour the waters out of his buckets, and his seed shall be…”

“Called - Who are Israelites in name, but not in truth. Are come - From the lineage of your progenitor, Judah, as waters flow from a fountain. Swear - Who profess the true religion; (one act of religion being put for all) and call themselves by his name. Isaiah 48:2”

“48:1-22 The Lord here calls on Israel to forsake her historic rebelliousness and listen to what he says. The Hebrew word translated listening is often synonymous with obeying or acting upon what is heard. 48:1-11 This prophecy is a disputation, a speech in which the prophet argues a set of points against his audience. 48:1-2 Israel was religious but not truly committed to the Lord. 48:1 Jacob . . . Judah: Although Isaiah’s normal focus was on Judah, here he addressed all the tribes of Israel.”

“which are: Gen 32:28, Gen 35:10; Kg2 17:34; Joh 1:47; Rom 2:17, Rom 2:28, Rom 2:29, Rom 9:6, Rom 9:8; Rev 2:9; Rev 3:9 come: Num 24:7; Deu 33:28; Psa 68:26; Pro 5:16 which swear: Isa 44:5, Isa 45:23, Isa 65:16; Deu 5:28, Deu 6:13, Deu 10:20; Psa 63:11; Zep 1:5 make mention: Isa 26:13, Isa 62:8; Exo 23:13 not in truth: Isa 1:10-14; Lev 19:12; Psa 50:16-20, Psa 66:3 \*marg. Jer 4:2, Jer 5:2, Jer 7:9, Jer 7:10; Mal 3:5; Mat 15:8, Mat 15:9, Mat 23:14; Joh 4:24; Ti1 4:2; Ti2 3:2-5 Isaiah 48:2”

“This third portion of the trilogy ( Isa 46:1-13, Isa 47:1-15, 48) stands in the same relation to Isa 47:1-15, as Isa 46:3. to Isa 46:1-2. The prophecy is addressed to the great body of the captives. "Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have flowed out of the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of Jehovah, and extol the God of Israel, not in truth and not in righteousness! For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel, Jehovah of hosts His name." The summons to hear is based upon the Israelitish nationality of those who are summoned,…”