Isaiah 48:2

2 For they be called of the holy city (For they call themselves citizens of the holy city), and be stablished on the God of Israel, the Lord of hosts is his name.

Isaiah 48:2 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city
The city Jerusalem, so called because the temple, the place of divine worship, was in it, the residence of the Holy One of Israel: they valued themselves, not only upon their being of the family of Jacob, and of the tribe of Judah, but that they were inhabitants of Jerusalem, the holy city; as many now call themselves fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, when they are strangers both to God and his people in the experimental knowledge of things: and stay themselves upon the God of Israel;
professed to trust in the Lord, and lean upon him, and rely upon his power and providence, his mercy and goodness, and expect all needful things from him, renouncing all confidence in the creature; and yet at the same time acted an hypocritical part, their faith was feigned: see ( Micah 3:11 ) . The Lord of hosts is his name;
whom they professed to be their God and Father, their Lord and Husband, their Saviour and Redeemer; who has all power in heaven and in earth, and does according to his will in both worlds, having the hosts of angels and armies of men at his command, and therefore so called.

Isaiah 48:2 In-Context

1 The house of Jacob, that be called by the name of Israel, and went out of the waters of Judah, hear these things, which swear in the name of the Lord, and have mind on God of Israel, not in truth, neither in rightfulness. (Hear ye these things, the house of Jacob, who be called by the name of Israel, and who went out of the seed, or the descendants, of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord, and who remember the God of Israel, but not in truth, or in righteousness.)

2 For they be called of the holy city (For they call themselves citizens of the holy city), and be stablished on the God of Israel, the Lord of hosts is his name.

3 From that time I told (of) the former things, and those went out of my mouth; and I made them known; (then) suddenly I wrought (them), and those things came (to be).

4 For I knew that thou art hard, and thy noll is (like) a sinew of iron, and thy forehead is (like) of brass.

5 I before-said to thee from that time; before that those things came, I showed (them) to thee; lest peradventure thou wouldest say, Mine idols did these things, and my graven images, and my molten images, sent these things, (I told thee before the time; before that those things came, I showed them to thee; lest thou wouldest say, My idols did these things, yea, my carved idols, and my cast idols, have commanded these things to be.)