Keraia
Isaiah 2

Isaiah 2:6

The Day of Reckoning · Isaiah 2:5–22
Read Isaiah 2

Translations

Modern
For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines; they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
Traditional
Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
Literal
For You have left Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled from the east, and they practice divination like the Philistines, and with the sons of foreigners they strike hands.
Latin
Projecisti enim populum tuum, domum Jacob, quia repleti sunt ut olim, et augeres habuerunt ut Philisthiim, et pueris alienis adhæserunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with influences from the east; they are soothsayers like the Philistines; they strike hands with the children of foreigners.

Notes

Isaiah 2:6

  • The Lord had rejected his people to discipline them (Isaiah 8:17). Although not permanent, this rejection seriously threatened their hopes for a glorious future.

  • soothsayers: These were people who practiced pagan religion and magic. God had clearly forbidden this practice in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10–11).

  • The Philistines were ancient enemies of Israel (Isaiah 9:12; 11:14; 14:29, 31).

Isaiah 2:5–22

The prophet warned of judgment and mocked human pride. All human systems (religious, economic, military, and social) will face God's examination and be found lacking on the Day of the Lord. This is the final day in history when God will judge the wicked once and for all (1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:7–15).

Sometimes, prophets used the phrase the day of the Lord (or others like it, such as that day) to describe specific times when God judged wickedness throughout history (see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Obadiah 1:15). On the Day of the Lord, only God will be honored. All human wickedness and pride will be defeated. This glorious day of God's arrival will fill wicked and arrogant people with fear (Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21).

Isaiah 2:5–4:1

Isaiah condemned Israel and Judah for their pride and self-importance. He warned them that only God should be honored. All attempts by humans to lift themselves up will actually result in humiliation.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah The Philistines Salvation in Isaiah

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah Isaiah, Book of Lord Soothsayer

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Provoke the Anger of God Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Divination: Practised by Soothsayers Divination: The Jews Prone To Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Palmistry The Philistines: Character of Superstitious Titles and Names of the Wicked: Children of Strangers