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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 1:4 Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/23_Isa_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 1:4 - Judah's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! 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They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. <a href="/nlt/isaiah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Oh, what a sinful nation they are— loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. <a href="/esv/isaiah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. <a href="/kjv/isaiah/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Oh, sinful nation, People weighed down with guilt, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him. <a href="/nasb/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him. <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Alas, sinful nation, People weighed down with iniquity, Offspring of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have turned away from Him. <a href="/lsb/isaiah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. <a href="/amp/isaiah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Ah, sinful nation, A people loaded down with wickedness [with sin, with injustice, with wrongdoing], Offspring of evildoers, Sons who behave corruptly! They have abandoned (rejected) the LORD, They have despised the Holy One of Israel [provoking Him to anger], They have turned away from Him. <a href="/csb/isaiah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on him. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs on Him. <a href="/asv/isaiah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly! they have forsaken Jehovah, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward. <a href="/cev/isaiah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Israel, you are a sinful nation loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned from the LORD, the holy God of Israel. <a href="/erv/isaiah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that deal corruptly: they have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged and gone backward. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "How horrible it will be for a nation that sins. [Its] people are loaded down with guilt. They are descendants of evildoers and destructive children. They have abandoned the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have turned their backs on him. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> You are doomed, you sinful nation, you corrupt and evil people! Your sins drag you down! You have rejected the LORD, the holy God of Israel, and have turned your backs on him. <a href="/isv/isaiah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Oh, you sinful nation! You people burdened down by iniquity! You offspring of those who keep practicing what is evil! You corrupt children! "They've abandoned the LORD; they've despised the Holy One of Israel; in their estrangement, they've walked away from me. <a href="/msb/isaiah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. <a href="/net/isaiah/1.htm">NET Bible</a> The sinful nation is as good as dead, the people weighed down by evil deeds. They are offspring who do wrong, children who do wicked things. They have abandoned the LORD, and rejected the Holy One of Israel. They are alienated from him. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly. They have forsaken the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward. <a href="/wbt/isaiah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward. <a href="/web/isaiah/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Oh, sinning nation, a people heavy [with] iniquity, "" A seed of evildoers, sons—corrupters! They have forsaken YHWH, "" They have despised the Holy One of Israel, "" They have gone away backward. <a href="/ylt/isaiah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Ah, sinning nation, a people heavy with iniquity, A seed of evil doers, sons -- corrupters! They have forsaken Jehovah, They have despised the Holy One of Israel, They have gone away backward. <a href="/slt/isaiah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wo! sinful nation, a people heavy with sin, a seed doing evil, sons acting wickedly; they forsook Jehovah; they despised the holy one of Israel; they separated themselves backward.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a wicked seed, ungracious children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Woe to a sinful nation, a people burdened by iniquity, a wicked offspring, accursed children. They have abandoned the Lord. They have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel. They been taken away backwards. <a href="/nabre/isaiah/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Ah! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness, evil offspring, corrupt children! They have forsaken the LORD, spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatized, <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the LORD, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, an offspring of evildoers, children that are corrupt; you have forsaken the LORD, you have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, you have gone away backward. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Woe to the sinner nation! The nation grows an evil seed doing evil, corrupt children. You have forsaken LORD JEHOVAH and you have angered the Holy One of Israel, and you have turned your back<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Ah sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A seed of evil-doers, Children that deal corruptly; They have forsaken the LORD, They have contemned the Holy One of Israel, They are turned away backward. <a href="/sep/isaiah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Ah sinful nation, a people full of sins, an evil seed, lawless children: ye have forsaken the Lord, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/1-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=36" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Judah's Rebellion</a> …3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” 4<a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">Alas,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ḥō·ṭê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">O sinful</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: gō·w (N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nation,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">a people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3515.htm" title="3515: ke·ḇeḏ (Adj-msc) -- Heavy. From kabad; heavy; figuratively in a good sense or in a bad sense.">laden</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ā·wōn (N-cs) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">with iniquity,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: ze·ra‘ (N-ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">a brood</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: mə·rê·‘îm (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">of evildoers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">children</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: maš·ḥî·ṯîm (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">of depravity!</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ‘ā·zə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">They have forsaken</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5006.htm" title="5006: ni·’ă·ṣū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To spurn, treat with contempt. A primitive root; to scorn; or by interchange for nuwts, to bloom.">they have despised</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: qə·ḏō·wōš (Adj-msc) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">the Holy</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">One of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/2114.htm" title="2114: nā·zō·rū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically to commit adultery.">and turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/268.htm" title="268: ’ā·ḥō·wr (N-ms) -- The hind side, back part. Or achor; from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence behind, backward; also the West.">their backs on Him.</a> 5Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a> “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-2</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-5.htm">Deuteronomy 32:5</a> His people have acted corruptly toward Him; the blemish on them is not that of His children, but of a perverse and crooked generation. <a href="/ezekiel/16-30.htm">Ezekiel 16:30-32</a> How weak-willed is your heart, declares the Lord GOD, while you do all these things, the acts of a shameless prostitute! / But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment. / You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband! <a href="/amos/3-2.htm">Amos 3:2</a> “Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” <a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Micah 3:9-12</a> Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, / who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. / Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” ... <a href="/jeremiah/5-23.htm">Jeremiah 5:23-25</a> But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away. / They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’ / Your iniquities have diverted these from you; your sins have deprived you of My bounty. <a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Psalm 78:8</a> Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God. <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">2 Kings 17:13-15</a> Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nehemiah 9:26</a> But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8-10</a> The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. / Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. / By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a> As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.ah sinful<a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a> Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.<a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm">Isaiah 10:6</a> I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.<a href="/isaiah/30-9.htm">Isaiah 30:9</a> That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:laden with iniquity.<a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3,4</a> But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore… <a href="/numbers/32-14.htm">Numbers 32:14</a> And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.<a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Psalm 78:8</a> And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.children<a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Jeremiah 2:33</a> Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.<a href="/ezekiel/16-33.htm">Ezekiel 16:33</a> They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.forsaken<a href="/deuteronomy/29-25.htm">Deuteronomy 29:25</a> Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:<a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.<a href="/judges/10-10.htm">Judges 10:10</a> And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.provoked<a href="/isaiah/3-8.htm">Isaiah 3:8</a> For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.<a href="/isaiah/65-3.htm">Isaiah 65:3</a> A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;<a href="/deuteronomy/32-19.htm">Deuteronomy 32:19</a> And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.the Holy<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Act</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/129-5.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Contemned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Corrupters</a> <a href="/psalms/73-8.htm">Corruptly</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-17.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/psalms/119-87.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Loaded</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-34.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/psalms/105-6.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-6.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Sinful</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Weighed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Act</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-24.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-13.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-14.htm">Contemned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Corrupters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Corruptly</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-11.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-24.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-4.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-24.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/amos/2-13.htm">Loaded</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-19.htm">Provoked</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-10.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-7.htm">Sinful</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-18.htm">Weighed</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 1</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion</a> 5. <a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">He laments her judgments</a> 10. <a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">He upbraids their whole service</a> 16. <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats</a> 21. <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments</a> 25. <a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">He promises grace</a> 28. <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">And threatens destruction to the wicked</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Alas, O sinful nation The term "alas" is a lament, expressing deep sorrow and distress. The nation referred to is Israel, which is often depicted in the Old Testament as God's chosen people who have strayed from His commandments. This lamentation sets the tone for the entire book of Isaiah, which addresses the spiritual and moral decline of Israel. The concept of a "sinful nation" is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah and Hosea, where the prophets call out the people's unfaithfulness to God.A people laden with iniquity The imagery of being "laden" suggests a heavy burden, indicating that the people's sins are numerous and weigh them down. This phrase highlights the pervasive nature of sin within the community, affecting every aspect of their lives. Iniquity refers to moral corruption and injustice, which were prevalent in Israel during this period. The burden of sin is a recurring theme in Scripture, with Jesus later offering rest to those who are weary and burdened (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a>).A brood of evildoers The term "brood" implies a generation or offspring, suggesting that the propensity for evil is being passed down through the generations. This phrase underscores the idea that the people are not only committing acts of evil but are characterized by it. The concept of a "brood of evildoers" is reminiscent of Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees as a "brood of vipers" (<a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>), indicating a deep-seated corruption.Children who act corruptly The use of "children" here emphasizes the relationship between God and Israel, where God is the Father and Israel is His child. Acting corruptly indicates a betrayal of this relationship, as the children are not living according to the covenant established with God. This corruption is seen in their idolatry, social injustice, and failure to uphold God's laws. The imagery of wayward children is also found in the parable of the prodigal son (<a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Luke 15:11-32</a>), illustrating the hope of redemption.They have forsaken the LORD Forsaking the LORD implies a deliberate abandonment of their covenant relationship with God. This is a central theme in the prophetic literature, where the prophets call the people to return to God. The act of forsaking God is often linked to idolatry and the worship of foreign gods, which was a significant issue in Israel's history. The call to return to the LORD is a recurring invitation throughout the book of Isaiah.They have despised the Holy One of Israel The "Holy One of Israel" is a title for God that emphasizes His purity, righteousness, and unique relationship with Israel. To despise God is to reject His authority and holiness. This rejection is not just a matter of neglect but an active disdain for God's character and commands. The title "Holy One of Israel" is used frequently in Isaiah, underscoring the contrast between God's holiness and the people's sinfulness.And turned their backs on Him Turning their backs signifies a complete rejection and turning away from God. This imagery suggests a willful decision to ignore God's presence and guidance. In biblical times, turning one's back was a sign of disrespect and defiance. This act of turning away is contrasted with the call to repentance, where the people are urged to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness. The theme of turning away and returning is central to the message of the prophets and is fulfilled in the New Testament through the call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> The prophet who conveyed God's message to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He is known for his prophecies concerning judgment and redemption. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_jerusalem.htm">Judah and Jerusalem</a> The southern kingdom of Israel and its capital, which were the primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. They were experiencing moral and spiritual decline. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who is depicted as being forsaken and despised by His people in this passage. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_one_of_israel.htm">The Holy One of Israel</a> A title for God emphasizing His holiness and unique relationship with Israel. It underscores the gravity of the people's rebellion against Him. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sinful_nation.htm">Sinful Nation</a> Refers to the collective moral and spiritual state of the people of Judah, characterized by sin and rebellion against God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_sin.htm">Recognition of Sin</a> Acknowledge the reality of sin in our lives and communities. Just as Judah was laden with iniquity, we must be aware of our own moral failings. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_forsaking_god.htm">Consequences of Forsaking God</a> Understand that turning away from God leads to spiritual and moral decay. The people of Judah experienced this, and it serves as a warning for us. <a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a> Reflect on the holiness of God and His rightful place in our lives. The title "Holy One of Israel" reminds us of God's purity and our call to live in accordance with His standards. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a> Emphasize the need for repentance and returning to God. Despite the people's rebellion, God's desire is for restoration and relationship. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> Recognize the collective responsibility of a community to uphold righteousness. The "sinful nation" serves as a reminder that our actions affect the broader community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 1</a> <a href="/q/why_does_malachi_4_conflict_with_grace.htm">Why does Malachi 4's emphasis on judgment seem to conflict with other biblical passages that portray God's grace and mercy toward evildoers?</a> <a href="/q/effects_of_unconfessed_sin.htm">What are the effects of unconfessed sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'gathered_to_his_people'_mean.htm">Is sin a barrier between us and God?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_verify_isaiah_3_1-3's_event.htm">Isaiah 3:1–3: How can we verify a historical event where God supposedly removes all forms of leadership and resources without clear archaeological evidence of sudden societal collapse? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Ah, sinful nation . . .--The Hebrew interjection is, like our English "Ha!" the expression of indignation rather than of pity.A seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters.--The first phrase in the Hebrew idiom does not mean "the progeny of evil-doers," but those who, as a seed or brood, are made up of such. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm" title="You shall not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, and slain your people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.">Isaiah 14:20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-23.htm" title="They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.">Isaiah 65:23</a>.) The word "children" (better, as in <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm" title="Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.">Isaiah 1:2</a>, sons) once more emphasises the guilt of those who ought to have been obedient.They have forsaken the Lord . . .--The three verbs paint the several stages of the growth in evil. Men first forsake, then spurn, then openly apostatise. (Comp. <a href="/luke/16-13.htm" title="No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.">Luke 16:13</a>). In the "Holy One of Israel" we have the Divine name on which Isaiah most delights to dwell, and which had been impressed on his mind by the Trisagion, which accompanied his first call to the office of a prophet (<a href="/isaiah/6-3.htm" title="And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.">Isaiah 6:3</a>). The thought expressed by the name is that all ideas of consecration, purity, and holiness are gathered up in God. The term occurs fourteen times in the first part of Isaiah, and sixteen times in the second. A corrupt people needed to be reminded ever more and more of the truth which the name asserted. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Ah sinful nation. These are the words of Isaiah, not of Jehovah. The prophet, having delivered God's message in vers. 2 and 3, proceeds to impress and enforce it on the people by remarks of his own. He begins with a lamentation over their wickedness and impenitence; "Ah sinful nation!" or "Alas for the sinful nation! "the nation called to be holy (<a href="/exodus/19-6.htm">Exodus 19:6</a>; <a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a>, etc.), but sunk in sin and wickedness. How sad their condition! How almost hopeless! Laden with iniquity; literally, heavy with guilt. But our version well expresses the sense. As the psalmist says, "My sins have gone up over my head, and are like a sore burden, toe heavy for me to bear" (<a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a>; cf. <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28</a>). A seed of evil-doers. Not descendants of evil-doors, but "an evil-doing seed, "or "race" (σπέρμα πονηρόν, LXX.; comp. <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Isaiah 14:20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/61-9.htm">Isaiah 61:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-23.htm">Isaiah 65:23</a>). Children that are corrupters; literally, sons that do corruptly. It is not their corrupting of others, though that might follow, but the corruption that was in themselves, which is spoken cf. The corruption was both moral and doctrinal (see ver. 21). In corroboration of the fact, see <a href="/2_chronicles/27-2.htm">2 Chronicles 27:2</a>. They have forsaken the Lord. Not by renouncing his worship, which they still continued (see vers. 11-15), but by reducing it to a formality. The people "honored him with their lips, while their hearts were far from him" (<a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>). They have provoked to anger; rather, despised (Revised Version), or scorched (Kay, Cheyne), or rejected with disdain (Lowth), in allusion to their disobeying his commandments (see vers. 21-23). The Holy One of Israel. This title of God is a favorite one with Isaiah (see <a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Isaiah 5:19, 24</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-17.htm">Isaiah 10:17, 20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/12-6.htm">Isaiah 12:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/17-7.htm">Isaiah 17:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-19.htm">Isaiah 29:19, 23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-11.htm">Isaiah 30:11, 12, 15</a>; <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Isaiah 37:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14, 16, 20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-3.htm">Isaiah 43:3, 14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/45-11.htm">Isaiah 45:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-7.htm">Isaiah 49:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/55-5.htm">Isaiah 55:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/60-9.htm">Isaiah 60:9, 14</a>), and is very rarely used by the other sacred writers. We find it thrice in the Psalms (<a href="/psalms/71-22.htm">Psalm 71:22</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Psalm 78:41</a>; <a href="/psalms/89-18.htm">Psalm 89:18</a>); once in Kings (<a href="/2_kings/19-22.htm">2 Kings 19:22</a>), but then in the mouth of Isaiah; twice in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:29; 51:5); and once in Ezekiel (<a href="/ezekiel/39-7.htm">Ezekiel 39:7</a>). According to Isaiah's conception of God, holiness is the most essential element of his nature (see <a href="/isaiah/6-3.htm">Isaiah 6:3, 5, 7</a>). They are gone away backward; literally, they are estranged backwards; or, as Bishop Lowth paraphrases, "they are estranged from him; they have turned their back upon him." Instead of looking to God, and following after him, they "followed a multitude to do evil (<a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Exodus 23:2</a>)." <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/1-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Alas, ה֣וֹי ׀ (hō·w) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> Ah! alas! ha! O sinful חֹטֵ֗א (ḥō·ṭê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn nation, גּ֣וֹי (gō·w) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts a people עַ֚ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock laden כֶּ֣בֶד (ke·ḇeḏ) Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3515.htm">Strong's 3515: </a> Heavy with iniquity, עָוֺ֔ן (‘ā·wōn) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity a brood זֶ֣רַע (ze·ra‘) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity of evildoers, מְרֵעִ֔ים (mə·rê·‘îm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad children בָּנִ֖ים (bā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of depravity! מַשְׁחִיתִ֑ים (maš·ḥî·ṯîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> Perhaps to go to ruin They have forsaken עָזְב֣וּ (‘ā·zə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> To loosen, relinquish, permit the LORD; יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel they have despised נִֽאֲצ֛וּ (ni·’ă·ṣū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5006.htm">Strong's 5006: </a> To spurn, treat with contempt the Holy קְד֥וֹשׁ (qə·ḏō·wōš) Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary One of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc [and] turned נָזֹ֥רוּ (nā·zō·rū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery their backs on Him. אָחֽוֹר׃ (’ā·ḥō·wr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> The hinder part, behind, backward, the West <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation a people loaded (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>