Isa 48:1-5 | JFB | STEP | 1. the waters of Judah-- spring from the fountain of Judah ( ; ; ; Margin). Judah has the "fountain" attributed to it, because it survived the ten tribes, and from it Messiah was to spring. swear by ... Lord-- ( ; ; ). mention-- in prayers and praises. not in truth-- ( ; ).

‏ Isaiah 48:1-5

CHAPTER 48 Is 48:1-22. The Things That Befall Babylon Jehovah Predicted Long before, lest Israel Should Attribute Them, in Its "Obstinate" Perversity, to Strange Gods (Is 48:1-5).

1. the waters of Judah--spring from the fountain of Judah (Nu 24:7; De 33:28; Psa 68:26; Margin). Judah has the "fountain" attributed to it, because it survived the ten tribes, and from it Messiah was to spring.

swear by ... Lord--(Is 19:18; 45:23; 65:16).

mention--in prayers and praises.

not in truth--(Jr 5:2; Joh 4:24).

2. For--Ye deserve these reproofs; "for" ye call yourselves citizens of "the holy city" (Is 52:1), but not in truth (Is 48:1; Ne 11:1; Da 9:24); so the inscription on their coins of the time of the Maccabees. "Jerusalem the Holy."

3. former--things which have happened in time past to Israel (Is 42:9; 44:7, 8; 45:21; 46:10).

suddenly--They came to pass so unexpectedly that the prophecy could not have resulted from mere human sagacity.

4. obstinate--Hebrew, "hard" (De 9:27; Eze 3:7, Margin).

iron sinew--inflexible (Ac 7:51).

brow brass--shameless as a harlot (see Jr 6:28; 3:3; Eze 3:7, Margin).

5. (See on Is 48:1; Is 48:3).