King James Version

What Does Isaiah 50:1 Mean?

Isaiah 50:1 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is i...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.”

Isaiah 50:1 · KJV

Context

1

Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

2

Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

3

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

Read Isaiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's rhetorical question 'Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away?' asserts that He never broke covenant despite Israel's exile. The 'bill of divorcement' (Deuteronomy 24:1) was required for legal separation, but God produced none - the relationship suspension was discipline, not abandonment. The accusation 'for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves' shifts blame to Israel's sin, not God's unfaithfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Exilic despair questioned whether God divorced Israel permanently. Isaiah clarifies that exile was temporary discipline for sin, not covenant dissolution. This grounds hope for restoration and anticipates Hosea's remarriage imagery (Hosea 2:19-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God never 'divorced' His people despite their sin assure you of eternal security in Christ?
  2. In what ways have you 'sold yourself' to sin while blaming God for consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 23

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵ֣י4 of 23
H335

where? hence how?

זֶ֠ה5 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

סֵ֣פֶר6 of 23

“Where is the bill”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

כְּרִית֤וּת7 of 23

“divorcement”

H3748

a cutting (of the matrimonial bond), i.e., divorce

אִמְּכֶֽם׃8 of 23

“is your mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שֻׁלְּחָ֥ה10 of 23

“put away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

א֚וֹ11 of 23
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

מִ֣י12 of 23
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

מִנּוֹשַׁ֔י13 of 23

“or which of my creditors”

H5383

to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest

אֲשֶׁר14 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִמְכַּרְתֶּ֔ם15 of 23

“have ye sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

אֶתְכֶ֖ם16 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ל֑וֹ17 of 23
H0
הֵ֤ן18 of 23
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

בַּעֲוֹנֹֽתֵיכֶם֙19 of 23

“you Behold for your iniquities”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

נִמְכַּרְתֶּ֔ם20 of 23

“have ye sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

וּבְפִשְׁעֵיכֶ֖ם21 of 23

“yourselves and for your transgressions”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

שֻׁלְּחָ֥ה22 of 23

“put away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אִמְּכֶֽם׃23 of 23

“is your mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

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 50:1 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 50:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:30Jeremiah 3:8Matthew 18:252 Kings 4:1Nehemiah 5:5Isaiah 52:3

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