For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
They call themselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel, the LORD of armies is his name.
The writer is describing people who identify themselves as belonging to God's holy city and claim to trust in Israel's God, whose name is the LORD of armies.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Isaiah's prophecy, the people of Judah were proudly identifying themselves as inhabitants of the holy city, Jerusalem, and claiming to rely on the God of Israel, even as they engaged in hypocritical practices. This verse highlights their superficial faith during a time of national crisis, when threats from empires like Assyria and Babylon loomed, serving as a warning that mere association with God's people was insufficient without true obedience. Isaiah, active in the 8th century BC, was addressing a society that often mixed idolatry with outward religious observance.
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