Text -- Isaiah 43:26-28 (NET)

43:26 Remind me of what happened! Let’s debate! You, prove to me that you are right! 43:27 The father of your nation sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. 43:28 So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 43:26

¹ tn Heb “you, tell in order that you may be right”; NAB “prove your innocence.”

NET Notes: Isa 43:27

¹ tn Heb “your first father.” This could refer to Abraham (see 51:2), but elsewhere in Isaiah he does not appear in a negative light (see 29:22; 41:8; 63:16). A more likely candidate is Jacob/Israel, also referred to as the nation’s “father” elsewhere (see 58:14; 63:16).

² tn On the meaning of the term לִיץ (lits), see HALOT 590 s.v. מֵלִיץ. This may refer to the nation’s prophets, priests, and/or kings.

NET Notes: Isa 43:28

¹ tn The word “subjected” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.