Isaiah 1

Jehovah

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Isaiah 1:2

Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, speaks like a parent who raised Israel as His own children, and they turned away from Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the holy God who made covenants with Israel

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Isaiah 1:4

Isaiah's favorite title for the Lord. The Book of Mormon uses the same title for Christ, the one who keeps the gate to eternal life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel.

Jehovah, Lord of the sacrifices

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. Isaiah 1:11–15

The sacrifices of the law of Moses pointed to Christ, but Jehovah Himself says they mean nothing when offered by people who will not repent. The offerings were about Him; He wanted their hearts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Cleansing through the Atonement

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Isaiah 1:16–18

Jehovah invites sinners to come to Him and promises that even the deepest stains can be made white. Latter-day Saints read this as the power of Christ's Atonement to make a repentant person fully clean.

• alluded to by Revelation 7:14 — Robes made white in the blood of the Lamb.
• alluded to by Alma 5:21 — Garments washed white through the blood of Him who was to come.
• alludes to Psalm 51:7 — Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Mighty One of Israel

Mighty One of Israel — the strong champion and protector of Israel

Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: Isaiah 1:24–26

Jehovah takes a title of strength and promises to refine His people like metal in a furnace, removing the dross and restoring a faithful city. Later in Isaiah the same title is joined to Savior and Redeemer.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 49:26 — I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
• the same title in Isaiah 60:16 — The LORD thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
• alluded to by Malachi 3:2-3 — The Lord comes like a refiner's fire to purge His people as gold and silver.

Redeemer of Zion

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. Isaiah 1:27

The promise that Zion will be redeemed echoes the work of the Redeemer, who buys back and restores His people.