Translations
Modern
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
Traditional
Thus saith the Lord, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Literal
Thus says YHWH: “Where is this certificate of divorce of your mother, whom I have sent away? Or which of My creditors—whom did I sell you to him? Behold, by your iniquities you have sold yourselves, and by your transgressions your mother has been sent away.
Latin
Hæc dicit Dominus: Quis est hic liber repudii matris vestræ, quo dimisi eam? aut quis est creditor meus, cui vendidi vos? Ecce in iniquitatibus vestris venditi estis, et in sceleribus vestris dimisi matrem vestram.
Original
Hebrew
English
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
Notes
God was not responsible for the people's problems; their sin caused their exile (see also Isaiah 59:1–15).
Jerusalem, the main city of Judah (Psalm 87:5–6), was destroyed, and the people of Judah went into exile in 586 BC.
This argument shows that God was not forced to abandon Israel. Therefore, he could choose to accept the nation back as his people if he wished.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
Glossary
Banker, Banking Certificate of Divorce Church Criminal Law and Punishment Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature Scribe
Topics
Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Divorce: Figurative Divorce: Illustrative of God's Casting off of the Jewish Church Jesus, the Christ: Rejected