Isaiah 63:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 63:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.
Isaiah 63:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 63

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.

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 he said, surely they are my people, &c.] Not in common with the rest of mankind, being his creatures, and the care of his providence; but his special people, whom he had chosen to be such, and had made a covenant with; he had avouched them for his people, and they had avouched him to be the Lord their God; and this covenant interest was the ground and foundation of the actual donation and application of all the blessings of grace and goodness to them before mentioned. These are the words of Jehovah himself, related by the prophet; and are applicable to all the elect of God, whom he has chosen in Christ; taken into the covenant of grace made with him; and who appear manifestly to be his…”
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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
“he--Jehovah "said," that is, thought, in choosing them as His covenant-people; so "said" (Psa 95:10). Not that God was ignorant that the Jews would not keep faith with Him; but God is here said, according to human modes of thought to say within Himself what He might naturally have expected, as the result of His goodness to the Jews; thus the enormity of their unnatural perversity is the more vividly set forth. lie--prove false to Me (compare Psa 44:17). so--in virtue of His having chosen them, He became their Saviour. So the "therefore" (Jer 31:33). His eternal choice is the ground of His actually saving men (Eph 1:3-4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For he said - Yahweh had said. That is, he said this when he chose them as his unique people, and entered into solemn covenant with them. Surely they are my people - The reference here is to the fact that he entered into covenant with them to be their God. Children that will not lie - That will not prove false to me - indicating the reasonable expectation which Yahweh might have, when he chose them, that they would be faithful to him. So he was their Saviour - Lowth renders this, ‘And he became their Saviour in all their distress;’ connecting this with the first member of the following verse, and translating that, ‘it was not an envoy, nor an angel of his presence that saved them.’ So the…”
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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
“He said - When he made a covenant with our fathers, and brought them out of Egypt. Not lie - That will keep my covenant. So he - Not Cyrus, Zerubbabel, or Nehemiah, but Christ himself. Isaiah 63:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“63:8 They are my very own people: God’s possession of and commitment to his people was central to the covenant (see 43:1). • they will not betray me: The Lord expected his own people to honor their relationship with him, unlike the nations, whose story is a history of treachery (Gen 3–11). But Israel, too, betrayed their God (Isa 63:10). • their Savior: God rescued and protected his people (see 43:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Surely: Isa 41:8; Gen 17:7; Exo 3:7, Exo 4:22, Exo 4:23, Exo 6:7, Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Rom 11:1, Rom 11:2, Rom 11:28 children: Isa 57:11; Exo 24:7; Psa 78:36, Psa 78:37; Zep 3:7; Joh 1:47; Eph 4:25; Col 3:9 so he: Isa 12:2, Isa 43:3, Isa 43:11; Deu 33:29; Psa 106:21; Jer 14:8; Hos 13:4; Jo1 4:14; Jde 1:25 Isaiah 63:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification