Isaiah 48:1-11

A Recapitulation of the Argument from Prophecy. To the original text a redactor has added a commentary (bracketed below) from a different standpoint. Whereas the prophet regarded Israel as having more than paid the penalty of her sins, the additions represent her as obstinately and inveterately sinful, and long addicted to the worship of images.

Hearken, says Yahweh to His people [proud of their nationality and attached to His cultus]. Long ago I predicted what later I suddenly accomplished. [Knowing thine inveterate obstinacy, Isaiah 48:4] I announced beforehand my intentions [lest thou shouldst attribute the events to thine idols, Isaiah 48:5 b]. Thou hast heard. wilt thou not admit it? Now I announce things hitherto unrevealed [lest thou shouldst say, I knew them, Isaiah 48:7 c] unheard and unknown by thee [because I knew that thou hast ever been a traitor. For My own sake I am not destroying thee. I have refined thee in a furnace, but no silver did I gain, Isaiah 48:8 b - Isaiah 48:10]. For My name's sake I do it [how it is profaned!] and share My glory with none other.

Isaiah 48:1 f. All after Jacob is from the redactor: note the change from 2nd to 3rd person. waters: read loins.

Isaiah 48:6. Render, I am showing (cf. mg.).

Isaiah 48:8. Read, thine ear have I not opened (LXX).

Isaiah 48:9. Yahweh will not extirpate His people because then His cultus would come to an end. Read, and for my praise do I spare thee.

Isaiah 48:10. Render, but not with gain of silver. Read perhaps, I have tried (mg.) thee in the furnace in vain.

Isaiah 48:11 a. Read simply, For my name's sake will I do it.