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Isaiah 48:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 48:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “(for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

(for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):
Isaiah 48:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Hear 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
2(for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):
3I have declared the former things from of old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
4Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
5therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
← Isaiah 48:1Isaiah 48:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For they call themselves of the holy city, &c.] 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 experimental knowledge of things: and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; professed to trust in the Lord, and lean upon him, and rely upon his power and providence, his mercy and goodness, and expect all…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For--Ye deserve these reproofs; "for" ye call yourselves citizens of "the holy city" (Isa 52:1), but not in truth (Isa 48:1; Neh 11:1; Dan 9:24); so the inscription on their coins of the time of the Maccabees. "Jerusalem the Holy."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 was deemed sacred by the Jews, and they regarded it as sufficient proof of goodness, it would seem, that they had dwelt there. Even in Babylon they would pride themselves on this, and suppose, perhaps,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Though - They glory that they are citizens of Jerusalem, a city sanctified by God, to be the place of his true worship, and gracious presence. And stay - Not by a true faith, but a vain confidence. Isaiah 48:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they call: Isa 52:1, Isa 64:10, Isa 64:11; Neh 11:1, Neh 11:18; Psa 48:1, Psa 87:3; Dan 9:24; Mat 4:5, Mat 27:53; Rev 11:2, Rev 21:2, Rev 22:19 and stay: Isa 10:20; Jdg 17:13; Sa1 4:3-5; Jer 7:4-11, Jer 21:2; Mic 3:11; Joh 8:40, Joh 8:41; Rom 2:17 The Lord: Isa 47:4, Isa 51:13; Jer 10:16 Isaiah 48:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification