Isaiah 43:27

The father of your nation ¹  sinned; your spokesmen ²  rebelled against me.

Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me.

"Your first forefather sinned, And your spokesmen have transgressed against Me.

From the very beginning, your ancestors sinned against me––all your leaders broke my laws.

Your original ancestor started the sinning, and everyone since has joined in.

Your first father was a sinner, and your guides have gone against my word.

Your first ancestor sinned, and your interpreters transgressed against me.

Your first father sinned, And your mediators have transgressed against Me.

The father of your nation ¹  sinned; your spokesmen ²  rebelled against me.

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.