What Does Isaiah 65:15 Mean?

God pronounces judgment on the rebellious: "And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee." Their name becomes a byword for divine judgment—others will use it as a curse formula (Jeremiah 29:22). The Hebrew shevuah (curse/oath) suggests their name exemplifies what happens to those who rebel against God. "The Lord GOD shall slay thee" uses hemit (put to death), indicating decisive judgment. Then comes the glorious contrast: "and call his servants by another name." God's servants receive new identity—shem acher (another name) replacing the old. This anticipates Revelation 2:17's "new name" and 3:12's writing of God's name on overcomers. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the total identity transformation in salvation. The old name (identity in Adam, defined by sin and rebellion) is replaced by a new name (identity in Christ, defined by righteousness and adoption). The wicked remain defined by their rebellion and face its consequences; the righteous receive new identity rooted in God's gracious naming.