Hear you this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
which are
Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Genesis 35:10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
2 Kings 17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;
come
Numbers 24:7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
Deuteronomy 33:28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
Psalm 68:26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
which swear
Isaiah 44:5 One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isaiah 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
make mention
Isaiah 26:13 O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
Isaiah 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
not in truth
Isaiah 1:10-14 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah…
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Psalm 50:16-20 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? …
you who are called by the name of Israel
The name "Israel" signifies the covenant relationship between God and His people. It recalls the transformation of Jacob's name to Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28), symbolizing a new identity and mission. This phrase underscores the privilege and responsibility of being God's people, called to live according to His statutes.
who have descended from the line of Judah
Judah is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, from which the Davidic line and ultimately Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would come. This reference to Judah highlights the royal lineage and the fulfillment of God's promises through this tribe. It also connects to prophecies concerning the Messiah's descent from David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
who swear by the name of the LORD
Swearing by the name of the LORD indicates making oaths or promises invoking God's name, which is a serious commitment. This practice is rooted in the understanding of God's holiness and the binding nature of His name. However, the context suggests a critique of insincere or hypocritical oaths, as the people are not living up to their commitments.
who invoke the God of Israel
Invoking God implies calling upon Him in prayer or worship. This phrase suggests a form of religious practice or ritual. However, the subsequent critique indicates that their invocation lacks genuine faith and obedience, pointing to a disconnect between their religious actions and their hearts.
but not in truth or righteousness
This phrase is a rebuke of the people's insincerity and moral failure. "Truth" and "righteousness" are central to God's character and His expectations for His people. The lack of these qualities indicates a superficial relationship with God, where outward religious practices are not matched by inner integrity and ethical living. This critique aligns with other prophetic calls for genuine repentance and justice (Isaiah 1:16-17).
“Listen to this” (Isaiah 48:1) is God’s urgent command.
• He is not suggesting but summoning, as He did at Sinai: “Now if you will indeed listen to My voice…” (Exodus 19:5).
• The whole “house” is addressed—every generation, every household. Compare Deuteronomy 32:1 and Proverbs 4:1, where the call to “listen” demands humble, ready hearts.
• The warning is loving: ignoring the word always leads to loss (Jeremiah 25:4-7).
Being “called by the name” marks ownership and covenant privilege (2 Chron 7:14).
• God changed Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32:28, binding the nation to His own reputation.
• With privilege comes accountability; misusing the name dishonors Him (Exodus 20:7).
• For believers today, being “called Christians” (Acts 11:26) carries the same weight—we bear His name before a watching world (1 Peter 2:12).
Lineage is literal: they are physical descendants of Judah, the royal tribe (Genesis 49:10).
• The tribe was promised leadership; ultimately Messiah springs from Judah (Matthew 1:1-3, Revelation 5:5).
• God reminds them that bloodline alone cannot secure blessing; faith must accompany heritage (Romans 2:28-29).
They “swear” or take oaths in His name (Deuteronomy 6:13).
• Such oaths should confirm truth (Hebrews 6:16), yet empty vows profane His name (Leviticus 19:12).
• Jesus pressed the point: let your “Yes” be yes (Matthew 5:33-37); integrity is non-negotiable for God’s people.
They “invoke” Him in worship and prayer (Psalm 50:15).
• Formal prayers, sacrifices, and festivals filled their calendar (Isaiah 1:11-15), but activity without sincerity offends God.
• True invocation seeks His face, not mere relief (2 Chron 7:14; Isaiah 55:6-7).
Here is the tragedy: the right words, lineage, and rituals, but hearts far away.
• Isaiah had already exposed this hypocrisy: “This people draw near with their mouths… but their hearts are far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13; echoed by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9).
• “Truth” points to genuine faithfulness; “righteousness” points to moral obedience (Micah 6:8). Both were missing.
• God’s standard has never changed: “Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Isaiah 48:1 confronts a nation proud of its heritage, vocabulary, and religious routine yet empty of sincerity. God lovingly calls them to listen, remember their covenant name, acknowledge their royal lineage, make honest vows, and call on Him with authentic hearts. The verse warns against hollow religion and invites every hearer—then and now—to respond in truth and righteousness.
XLVIII.(1) Are come forth out of the waters of Judah.--The words limit the wider terms of Jacob and Israel to the Judaean exiles. For the phrase, comp. "ye that are of the fountains of Israel" (Psalm 68:26). The ideal attributes of Israel, "swearing by the name of Jehovah . . ." are pressed in contrast with their actual state of hypocrisy and unrighteousness.
Verse 1. - Jacob... Israel (camp. Isaiah 40:27; Isaiah 41:8, 14; Isaiah 43:1, 22; Isaiah 44:1, etc.). "Jacob" is the natural and secular designation; "Israel" is a spiritual or covenant name (Cheyne). Both terms being appropriate to the ten tribes no less than to the two, and the present address being intended especially for the Jewish captives, a further designation is appended - which are come forth out of the waters of Judah (comp. Psalm 68:26, "Ye that are of the fountain of Israel," marginal rendering). Which swear by the Name of the Lord. Swearing "by the Name of the Lord" is an evidence of true religion, to a certain extent (Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20). It indicates that there has been, at any rate, no open apostasy. Still, it does not necessarily prove more than this; and, in the present case, it scarcely showed anything beyond mere outward formal conformity. The bulk of the captives "swore by the Name of Jehovah, and made mention of the God of Israel" (camp. Joshua 23:7), but did so not in truth, nor in righteousness; i.e. "without their state of mind or mode of action corresponding to their confession, so as to prove that it was sincerely and seriously meant" (Delitzsch). The condition of the majority of the exiles was that expressed in the words, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but in their hearts are far from me" (Matthew 15:8).