The Meaning of Isaiah 63:19 Explained

Isaiah 63:19

KJV: We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

YLT: We have been from of old, Thou hast not ruled over them, Not called is Thy name upon them!

Darby: We have become like those over whom thou never barest rule, those not called by thy name.

ASV: We are become as they over whom thou never barest rule, as they that were not called by thy name.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

We are [thine]: thou never  barest rule  over them; they were not called  by thy name. 

What does Isaiah 63:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Israelites had become like those nations with whom Yahweh had no special relationship. Isaiah"s reason for pursuing this line of argument was to move the Lord to act in salvation for His people, and change their hearts.

Context Summary

Isaiah 63:10-19 - Salvation Obstructed By Rebellion
The exhortation of the Apostle against grieving the Holy Spirit is based on Isaiah 63:10. See Ephesians 4:30. There is no limit to the gracious work which the Holy Spirit will do in and for us, if only we will take jealous care of our behavior toward Him. Be especially heedful about thy speech! The least uncharitableness hurts Him, as frost the spring-blossoms.
But God never forgets the blessed past and labors to restore it. See what He will do! His power shall work through a human wrist, Isaiah 63:12. Before Him the waters part and leave a path for His chosen. All that would cause us to stumble is taken out of the way and we are led as on a level plain. As cattle descend into the hollows of the hills at noon, to escape the sultry heat, so will God's Spirit cause us to rest. Oh, claim that these promises be realized! He is Father, Redeemer, the Eternal, the Lover of souls! Even when we believe not and have forfeited all claim on Him, He remaineth faithful and cannot deny Himself! [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 63

1  Christ shows who he is
2  What his victory over his enemies
7  And what his mercy toward his church
10  In his just wrath he remembers his free mercy
15  The church, in her prayer
17  And complaint, professes her faith

What do the individual words in Isaiah 63:19 mean?

We have become [like] those of old never You ruled over whom Those who were called by Your name upon
הָיִ֗ינוּ מֵֽעוֹלָם֙ לֹֽא־ מָשַׁ֣לְתָּ בָּ֔ם נִקְרָ֥א שִׁמְךָ֖ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם

הָיִ֗ינוּ  We  have  become 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
מֵֽעוֹלָם֙  [like]  those  of  old 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
לֹֽא־  never 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
מָשַׁ֣לְתָּ  You  ruled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: מָשַׁל  
Sense: to rule, have dominion, reign.
בָּ֔ם  over  whom 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
נִקְרָ֥א  Those  who  were  called 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
שִׁמְךָ֖  by  Your  name 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם  upon 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.