Isaiah 2 · a question people ask

"Man is brought low, and mankind is humbled; therefore don’t forgive them" (2:9). Who says this, and to whom?

In the text

At 2:6 the chapter turns to someone it calls you: "For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob" (2:6). The one addressed has "the house of Jacob" as his people; the verses don't give his name. They go on: "they are filled from the east, with those who practice divination" (2:6); "Their land is full of silver and gold" (2:7); "Their land also is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands" (2:8). Then 2:9 ends, "therefore don’t forgive them" (2:9). The chapter doesn't name the speaker of 2:6-9 beyond its heading, which calls the whole chapter "what Isaiah the son of Amoz saw" (2:1). In Hebrew forgive here is nasa, the verb the chapter uses for raised and lifted up (tap lifted up). The same chapter also holds the call, "House of Jacob, come, and let’s walk in the light of the LORD" (2:5), and the book's first chapter holds the LORD's own words, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (1:18). The chapter doesn't explain how 2:9 stands beside those words, so these notes don't either; they let each verse say what it says.

The verses

““Come now, and let’s reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 · World English Bible
“This is what Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 2:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 2

Isaiah 2: The LORD alone will be exalted

The LORD's mountain is "raised above the hills" (2:2), and his day is "for all the hills that are lifted up" (2:14): in Hebrew raised and lifted up are one verb. One mountain is raised; on the LORD's day "all that is lifted up" "shall be brought low" (2:12), "and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day" (2:11).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Isaiah 2

All questions about Isaiah →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions