Isaiah 48:4

48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; obstinate: Heb. hard

KJV

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Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass;

Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass;

48:5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

What does Isaiah 48:4 mean?

Isaiah 48:4 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דַּעַת (daʻath), קָשֶׁה (qâsheh), עֹרֶף (ʻôreph). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Because

knewדַּעַתdaʻath/dah'-ath/H1847knowledge

that

thou

art

obstinate,קָשֶׁהqâsheh/kaw-sheh'/H7186severe (in various applications)

and

thy

neckעֹרֶףʻôreph/o-ref'/H6203the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)

ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel/bar-zel'/H1270iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

sinew,גִּידgîyd/gheed/H1517a thong (as compressing); by analogy, a tendon

and

thy

browמֵצַחmêtsach/may'-tsakh/H4696the forehead (as open and prominent)

brass;נְחוּשָׁהnᵉchûwshâh/nekh-oo-shaw'/H5154copper

obstinate:

Heb.

hard

Commentary on Isaiah 48:4

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 48:4

div 1. As we read this verse, it shows why good men, when they come to understand things aright, will not envy the prosperity of evil-doers. When they see the house of the wicked, how full it is perhaps of all the good things of this life, they are tempted to envy; but when they wisely consider it, when they look upon it with an eye of faith, when they see God overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness, that there is a curse upon their habitation which will certainly be the ruin of it ere long, they see more reason to despise them, or pity them, than to fear or envy them. 2. Some give another sense of it: The righteous man (the judge or magistrate, that is entrusted with the execution of justice, and the preservation of public peace) examines the house of the wicked, searches it for arms or for stolen goods, makes a diligent enquiry concerning his family and the characters of those about him, that he may by his power overthrow the wicked for their wickedness and prevent their doing any further mischief, that he may fire the nests where the birds of prey are harboured or the unclean birds. 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Here we have the description and doom of an uncharitab

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 32:20

And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. of me: Heb. my face

Genesis 43:11

And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

1 Samuel 25:35

So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

Isaiah 17:8

And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. images: or, sun images

Isaiah 19:6

And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

Matthew 6:3

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

Matthew 6:4

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Topics

Self-Will Self-Will and Stubbornness Sinews

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 48:4.

Deuteronomy 31:27

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

Job 20:24

He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.

Job 28:2

Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. earth: or, dust

Leviticus 26:19

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 48:4 say?

Isaiah 48:4 (King James Version) reads: "Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; obstinate: Heb. hard"

Is Isaiah 48:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 48:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 48:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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