King James Version

What Does Isaiah 2:6 Mean?

Isaiah 2:6 in the King James Version says “Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsaye... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. from: or, more than the please: or, abound with the

Isaiah 2:6 · KJV


Context

4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. pruninghooks: or, scythes

5

O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

6

Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. from: or, more than the please: or, abound with the

7

Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

8

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's 'forsaking' His people results from their forsaking Him through syncretism—'replenished from the east' suggests adopting foreign religious practices, while 'soothsayers like the Philistines' indicates occult divination prohibited in Torah (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). The phrase 'please themselves in the children of strangers' may denote inter-marriage or commercial alliances that compromise covenant distinctiveness. Divine abandonment is judicial: God gives them over to chosen idolatry (Romans 1:24-28), demonstrating that persistent rebellion leads to covenant judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

During the 8th century BC, Judah increasingly absorbed surrounding nations' religious practices, despite the first commandment's exclusivity. Cultural assimilation threatened covenant identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What contemporary 'eastern' influences or cultural practices compromise our covenant distinctiveness?
  2. How does God's 'forsaking' function as both judgment and the natural consequence of our forsaking Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּ֣י1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָטַ֗שְׁתָּה2 of 13

Therefore thou hast forsaken

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

עַמְּךָ֙3 of 13

thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בֵּ֣ית4 of 13

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יַעֲקֹ֔ב5 of 13

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

כִּ֤י6 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָלְאוּ֙7 of 13

because they be replenished

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

מִקֶּ֔דֶם8 of 13

from the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וְעֹֽנְנִ֖ים9 of 13

and are soothsayers

H6049

figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., practise magic

כַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים10 of 13

like the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וּבְיַלְדֵ֥י11 of 13

themselves in the children

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

נָכְרִ֖ים12 of 13

of strangers

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

יַשְׂפִּֽיקוּ׃13 of 13

and they please

H5606

to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by implication of satisfaction, to be enough; by implication of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 2:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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