Isaiah 65:1-2

Jehovah's overtures have been rejected by an obdurate people.

1 Render: I was to be enquired of by those that asked not, I was to be found by them that sought me not, etc.

The first verb in each line is of the form Niphal, which is to be understood not as a simple passive, but in its tolerativesense: "I let myself be enquired of," i.e. "I was ready to answer," exactly as Ezekiel 14:3; Ezekiel 20:3; Ezekiel 20:31; Ezekiel 36:37: "I let myself be found," as ch. Isaiah 55:6. Jehovah's readiness to hear is contrasted with the people's unwillingness to pray.

Behold me, behold me Cf. ch. Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:6; Isaiah 58:9.

that was not called by my name We should read, changing the vowels in accordance with the Old Versions: that did not call on my name.