Isaiah 47:4
Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Isaiah 47:4
Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't a continuation of God's judgment on Babylon, but a sudden, powerful interjection of praise from the perspective of Israel. It acts like a divine mic drop, revealing that behind Babylon's downfall is their own faithful Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, and the Holy One of Israel.
The prophet is vividly describing the fall of Babylon, portraying its former glory and power being stripped away in humiliation. Amidst this detailed prophecy of judgment against the oppressor, this verse breaks in as a sudden, exclamatory declaration of God's identity and role for His people, contrasting Babylon's powerlessness with Israel's divine protector. The focus then returns to Babylon's impending destruction in the following verses.
When God's judgment is being declared, who would expect a sudden outburst of praise? Yet, that's exactly what happens here. This verse isn't just a declaration of judgment; it's a divine interruption filled with hope.
The context of Isaiah 47 is a harsh judgment against Babylon. However, verse 4 breaks in with a declaration of who God is for His people. Scholars debate whether this was a note added by a scribe or an intentional part of the prophecy, perhaps a chorus interjecting praise.
God doesn't just have a name; He has names, and each one reveals something crucial about His character and His actions towards us. In this verse, two powerful titles are given.
This verse reveals two essential aspects of God's identity: His power and His absolute purity.
The LORD of Hosts: This title emphasizes God's immense power and authority. 'Hosts' refers to armies, both heavenly and earthly. It signifies that God is the commander of all powers, ensuring that nothing can thwart His plans. When Babylon, a mighty empire, is judged, it's by the ultimate power, the Lord of all armies.
The Holy One of Israel: This title speaks to God's perfect moral character and His unique covenant relationship with Israel. Holiness means being set apart, pure, and distinct from sin. As the 'Holy One of Israel,' God is not only powerful but also righteous and just, guaranteeing that His actions, including judgment and redemption, are aligned with His perfect nature. This holiness also sets Israel apart, making them His special possession.
Understand the original words
go'el · Hebrew Noun (Participle)
One who buys back or rescues someone from slavery, captivity, or debt; in a theological sense, the One who acts on behalf of His people to deliver them from their enemies and restore them to Himself.
YHWH Tzeva'ot · Hebrew Proper Noun Phrase
A divine title reflecting God’s sovereignty over the entire heavenly host (angels, stars, and celestial powers) and His omnipotence as the Commander of all creation.
Qadosh Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun Phrase
A title emphasizing God's absolute moral purity, transcendence, and set-apart nature, marking Him as distinct from all idols and human powers.
This verse, likely an interjection by the prophet or a chorus, highlights God's role as the ultimate Redeemer of Israel even as Babylon is being judged. The historical context of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent rise of Cyrus the Great underscore the immense suffering of God's people and the powerful intervention of their God on their behalf.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria to Assyria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its people and marking a significant loss of national sovereignty. This event would have been a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting its people, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its First Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and intensifying the exile of the Judean people to Babylon. This is a catastrophic event for Israel.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Persian tribes and begins expanding his empire, setting the stage for the eventual conquest of Babylon. His rise offers a glimmer of hope for the exiles.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah 47:4 by stating, 'I am the Holy One in your midst; I will not come as a man.' It reinforces the divine nature and redemptive power of God that is emphasized in our verse.
Jeremiah 50:34This verse refers to Israel's Redeemer as 'their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name.' It shows a consistent theme of God's redemptive power and his title as 'LORD of hosts' in relation to His people's deliverance.
This psalm praises God as the one who 'does marvelous things' and declares that His 'glorious name' is blessed, with the people saying 'Amen and Amen.' It resonates with the sense of awe and declaration found in Isaiah 47:4.
In this passage, Job declares, 'I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.' This highlights the profound assurance and hope found in the concept of a divine Redeemer, a theme central to Isaiah 47:4.
pulpitIsaiah 47:4: "As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel."
Verse 4. - As for our Redeemer, etc. Mr. Cheyne suspects, with some reason, that this is "the marginal note of a sympathetic scribe, which has made its way by accident into the text." It is certainly quite unlike anything else in the song, which would artistically be improved by its removal. If, however, it be retained, we must regard it as a parenthetic ejaculation of the Jewish Church on hearing the fir…
barnesIsaiah 47:4: "As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel."
As for our Redeemer - This verse stands absolutely, and is not connected with the preceding or the following. It seems to be an expression of admiration, or of grateful surprise, by which the prophet saw Yahweh as the Redeemer of his people. He saw, in vision, Babylon humbled, and, full of the subject, he breaks out into an expression of grateful surprise and rejoicing. 'O! our Redeemer! it is the work of…
This verse isn't a continuation of God's judgment on Babylon, but a sudden, powerful interjection of praise from the perspective of Israel. It acts like a divine mic drop, revealing that behind Babylon's downfall is their own faithful Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, and the Holy One of Israel.
The prophet is vividly describing the fall of Babylon, portraying its former glory and power being stripped away in humiliation. Amidst this detailed prophecy of judgment against the oppressor, this verse breaks in as a sudden, exclamatory declaration of God's identity and role for His people, contrasting Babylon's powerlessness with Israel's divine protector. The focus then returns to Babylon's impending destruction in the following verses.
The prophet is vividly describing the fall of Babylon, portraying its former glory and power being stripped away in humiliation. Amidst this detailed prophecy of judgment against the oppressor, this verse breaks in as a sudden, exclamatory declaration of God's identity and role for His people, contrasting Babylon's powerlessness with Israel's divine protector. The focus then returns to Babylon's impending destruction in the following verses.
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539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Babylonian Empire. This event is pivotal for the Jewish people, as Cyrus will later issue a decree allowing them to return to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great issues a decree permitting the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
"Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." — This verse isn't a continuation of God's judgment on Babylon, but a sudden, powerful interjection of praise from the perspective of Israel. It acts like a divine mic drop, revealing that behind Babyl…