Isaiah 48:1

“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—

2 who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.

3 I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—
KJV
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.
WEB
“Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come out of the waters of Judah. You swear by the LORD’s name, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness—
ASV
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
DARBY
Hear ye this, 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, not in truth, nor in righteousness.
BLB
[“] Hear this, O house of Jacob, those being called by the name of Israel and having come forth from the wellsprings of Judah, and those swearing by the name of YHWH and calling to mind the God of Israel, not in truth and not in righteousness!
ÅB
Hør dette, dere av Jakobs hus, dere som kalles med Israels navn og er runnet av Judas kilde, dere som sverger ved Herrens navn og priser Israels Gud, men ikke i sannhet og rettskaffenhet!
OTB
"Hør dette, etterkommere av Jakob, dere som kalles ved navnet Israel og har kommet fra Judas vann, som sverger ved Herrens navn og påkaller Israels Gud— men ikke i sannhet eller rettferdighet—
B1930
Hør dette, I av Jakobs hus, I som kalles med Israels navn og er runnet av Judas kilde, I som sverger ved Herrens navn og priser Israels Gud, men ikke i sannhet og rettskaffenhet!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 4:2

    and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”

    Read in context
  • Psalms 68:26

    Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 1:10–14

    Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 5:2

    Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 65:16

    Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My sight.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 6:13

    Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 7:9–10

    Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

    Read in context
  • Genesis 32:28

    Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”

    Read in context