King James Version

What Does Isaiah 63:16 Mean?

Isaiah 63:16 in the King James Version says “Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our fa...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 63 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. our redeemer: or, our redeemer from everlasting is thy name”

Isaiah 63:16 · KJV

SalvationEternal Life

Context

14

As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

15

Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? the sounding: or, the multitude

16

Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. our redeemer: or, our redeemer from everlasting is thy name

17

O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

18

The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

Read Isaiah 63 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.' Even if patriarchs wouldn't recognize the current generation (so changed by suffering and sin), God remains Father and Redeemer. The Hebrew 'ab' (father) is emphasized twice. Relationship transcends human lineage.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This remarkable confession acknowledges a relationship to God deeper than Abrahamic descent. It anticipates New Testament teaching about spiritual sonship through faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How is your relationship with God more fundamental than any human connection?
  2. What comfort comes from calling God 'Father' when all other relationships fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֤י1 of 16

“Doubtless”

H3588

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

אַתָּ֣ה2 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָבִ֔ינוּ3 of 16

“art our father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כִּ֤י4 of 16

“Doubtless”

H3588

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

אַבְרָהָם֙5 of 16

“though Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לֹ֣א6 of 16

“be ignorant”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדָעָ֔נוּ7 of 16
H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל8 of 16

“of us and Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֹ֣א9 of 16

“be ignorant”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַכִּירָ֑נוּ10 of 16

“acknowledge”

H5234

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (

אַתָּ֤ה11 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְהוָה֙12 of 16

“us not thou O LORD”

H3068

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

אָבִ֔ינוּ13 of 16

“art our father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

גֹּאֲלֵ֥נוּ14 of 16

“our redeemer”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

מֵֽעוֹלָ֖ם15 of 16

“is from everlasting”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

שְׁמֶֽךָ׃16 of 16

“thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

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 63:16 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 63:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 64:8Malachi 2:10Deuteronomy 32:6Jeremiah 3:19Isaiah 41:14Malachi 1:6

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