Isaiah 1 Interpretation

January 17, 2004

The numbered verses are from a copy of Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. Included is my interpretation of the verse, and notes regarding the possible meanings. Chapter 1

(1) The vision of Isaiah, { & yod & } son of Amots which he envisioned about Judah and Jerusalem { & yod & } in the days { & waw & } of Uzziah, Yotham, Achaz, { & Ye & } hizkiah kings of Judah

(.cj…This is the vision of Isaiah regarding Judaism and Jerusalem for the days of Uzziah, Yotham, Yehizkiah, kings of Judah. Note: we have three kings named here, probably the names of people who Isaiah knew during the time of the vision, who would be in control of the countries which Judaism is prevalent at the time of the “End of Days“. A guess, GWB, AS, ObL. What, can‘t be ObL? Why not, Islam includes the prophets of Judaism in their beliefs, much like Christianity includes the same ones. And the Jews consider both as outsiders.)

(2) Hear O heavens and give ear O earth because YHWH declares: I have raised and matured sons and they have transgressed against me.

(.cj…Listen up spiritual and earthy people, God is speaking. We have matured now, and we are messing up.)

(3) The ox knows his purchaser and the ass the feeding trough of his owner. Israel does not know and my people do not consider.

(.cj…We are dumber than animals for not knowing God by now, and for not even thinking about changing.)

(4) Woe sinning nation! a people burdened with faults, a seed of evil ones, perverted sons, they have abandoned YHWH, they have spurned the Holy One of Israel, they are estranged backward.

(.cj…Pity the sinning nation! You are a people loaded with faults, from which evil comes, which perverts your children. You have abandoned God, and disrespected the Holy One of Israel, by turning your back on him.)

(5) Why are you yet being struck, you add rebellion, the whole head is sick every heart is faint.

(.cj…Why did they strike you? Because you caused them to rebel, because your head is sick and your heart is faint. Note: Could be a reference to WTC attack and the reason for it. The group which was responsible was rebelling against the USA’s interference in Middle Easter affairs.)

(6) From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it but wounds and bruises and new sores they are not closed up nor bandaged, nor softened with oil.

(.cj…From head to toe it is not sound, because of wounds and bruises and new sores that are not scabbed over or bandaged, or softened with oil. Note: This verse is continuing to represent the country as a body, and describes the country as unsound and in need of healing, though the country‘s problems are not being addressed.)

(7) Your land is desolate, your cities burned with fire, your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and his desolation is upon her, as the overthrowing of strangers.

(.cj…Your country is destroyed, your cities burned, you are invaded by people who could care less about you, Note: We are obviously not there yet.)

(8) and the daughter of Zion is left behind as a shed in a vineyard, and like a hut in a cucumber field, like a Nazarene city.

(.cj…and the USA is abandoned by the rest of the world like a worthless building. Note: daughter of Zion could be symbolic for the USA, since our country was founded by Christians, which are a branch from Zion, or Judah. I will substitute USA for “daughter of Zion” until it makes no sense with the rest of the interpretation. It can always be changed later.)

(9) Unless YHWH of Hosts had caused a very small remnant of us to remain we would be like Sodom, we would resemble Gomorrah.. (PP)

(.cj…Without God of Prophets helping a very few of us to remain, we would all be like Sodom and resemble Gomorrah. Note: I think that means that without the current few spiritually enlightened individuals and those through the ages, we would all be living for ourselves and the pleasures life can provide, which would have caused a complete destruction.)

(10) Hear the word of YHWH princes of Sodom and give ear to the Torah of our God people of Gomorrah.

(.cj…Listen to what God is saying, leaders of the USA, and hear what God has given us through scripture. Note: Since the vision has so far been directed at the daughters of Zion, or the USA, and continues by comparing us to the people of Sodom, our leaders would be the “princes of Sodom“.)

(11) What are they to me, your multiplied sacrifices, says YHWH, I am sated with holocausts of rams and the fat of fatlings, and in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats I have no delight.

(.cj…Don’t think you are going to buy your way out of trouble, God said He‘s got plenty of dead animals laying everywhere, and He‘s not happy about it.)

(12) When you come to see my face to make this request from your hands treading my courtyard.

(.cj…When you wish to enter his courtyard to make your request,)

(13) Do not continue to bring empty gifts, Incense is an abomination to me, new moon and Sabbaths, calling of reading meetings, I am not able to endure even the sacred assembly.

(.cj…stop offering empty gifts, your incense is nauseating, and I tire of your monthly and weekly services, your group prayers, and your church meetings.)

(14) Your new moons and seasonal feasts my soul hates, they are a burden to me, I am tired of bearing them.

(.cj…I am tired of bearing your celebrations and holiday feasts, which my soul hates.)

(15) And when you spread your hands I will hide my eyes from you, also when you multiply prayer I will not listen, your hands are full of blood. [+and your fingers+] [Aramaic] [+of iniquity+]

(.cj…And when you spread your hands, I will not look at you, and when your group prays, I will not listen because your hands are full of blood and your fingers full if evil. Note, this could indicate our unjust invasion of Iraq, which could lead to more conflict.)

(16) Wash and make yourselves clean and turn away the evil of your habitual practices from before my eyes, stop doing evil.

(.cj…Cleanse yourself and stop the evil things you are habitually doing. Stop the evil.)

(17) Learn to do well, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, judge the orphan, contend for the widow. (PP)

(.cj…Learn to do good, find justice, encourage the oppressed, judge the orphan, and support the widow. Note, this could be an indication that those of us who are still around should concentrate on helping the children learn, and women survive.)

(18) Please come and let us reason together says YHWH, if your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow if they be as red as crimson they shall be as wool.

(.cj…God said we should talk to each other, and include Him. This is how we relieve ourselves from our sins.)

(19) If you are obedient and you give heed then of the good of the Land [{you shall eat.}]

(.cj…If you listen, and do what you should, the you shall eat from the good of the Land.)

(20) But if you refuse and you rebel you will be devoured by the sword because the mouth of YHWH has said it.

(.cj…Or, if you refuse and rebel you will die in war, because these are the words of God.)

(21) How is the faithful city become like a harlot, it was full of justice, righteousness lodged [{in her and now}] murderers.

(.cj…How could a city born of faith, justice, and righteousness become like a brothel, full of murderers.)

(22) Your silver is like dross and your liquor is diluted with water.

(.cj…Your quality of your silver is poor, and your liquor is watered down.)

(23) Your princes [{are rebels}] and friends of thieves, all of them love a bribe, and are pursuing graft, the fatherless you do [{not judge and contending for the}] widow does not come to them.

(.cj…Your leaders are rebellious and hang with thieves. They love bribes and are constantly pursuing them while ignoring their duties to help the helpless.)

(24) Therefore says the lord, YHWH of hosts [{the Mighty One of Israel}]. It will be I will be comforted about my foes and I will be avenged on my enemies.

(.cj…That is why, says God of prophets the Mighty One of Israel. I will be comforted when I avenge myself on my enemies.)

(25) And my hand will be turned upon you and I [{will purge with lye}] your dross and I will remove all of your tin.

(.cj…And you will be my enemy, and I will scour away the waste till I have removed all your impurities.)

(26) And I will restore your judges as at the first and [{your advisors }] as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the Righteous City, the Faithful City.

(.cj…And I will restore your judges and your advisors, as in the beginning. Then you will be known as the Righteous City, the Faithful City.)

(27) Zion with judgment shall be redeemed and her repenters with justice.

(.cj…Judaism and those who repent will be redeemed with justice.)

(28) And the transgressors and sinners shall be broken together and those who abandon YHWH shall be terminated.

(.cj…And those who are messing up real bad and the sinners they lead will be broken against each other and those who abandon God will be terminated.)

(29) Because you shall be ashamed of the oak idols which you have longed for and you will be confused by the gardens which you have chosen.

(.cj…You will no longer worship the cross and will wonder why you built such a garden)

(30) because you shall become like a fading oak leaf on it and like a garden which has no water.

(.cj…because you will be like a drying oak leaf on it, in a garden without water.)(31) And the strong [+your+] shall be like lint and the fashioner [+your+] of it like a spark and both of them shall burn together and no one shall extinguish them. (PP)

(.cj…And your army will be like lint and the leader of it like a spark and both will burn together with no one to put them out.)

Chapter 1 could be an overview of what the book is about. It appears to be a strong warning that the USA will be the aggressor in a war which doesn’t go well for us. It also explains that our concept of worshipping God is flawed, as well as our system of government, which will be restored to represent what our founding fathers had in mind in the beginning, but only after our butts have been well kicked. The overall message seems to be that we have become a people who hide behind our church and political leaders, who are leading us astray from God, and to seek those He has sent through the ages, and who are present now, who He speaks and has spoken through. This warning is also intended to head off war, and gives us a choice at verse 19.

If you are interested in participating in the modern interpretation of the Book of Isaiah , visit Our World Too - Biblical Interpretations by following the link below. We would like to hear your thoughts regarding this interpretation.

cj

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