Isaiah 1:17
What does Isaiah 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 1:17 means
Isaiah 1:17 calls God’s people to active righteousness. “Learn to do well” implies a continuous process of moral development, not a one-time act. “Seek justice” goes beyond passive observation, urging believers to actively pursue fairness and righting wrongs. “Relieve the oppressed” highlights a compassionate response to those suffering under injustice, suggesting intervention and aid. The commands to “judge the fatherless” and “plead for the widow” specifically emphasize advocating for the most vulnerable in society, who often lacked legal or social protection. These actions collectively paint a picture of a faith that is demonstrated through tangible, ethical engagement with the community, reflecting God's character in practical ways.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Take pleasure in well-doing; let your ways be upright, keep down the cruel, give a right decision for the child who has no father, see to the cause of the widow.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive <FI>for<Fi> the widow.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890learn to do well: seek judgment, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Context
Isaiah 1:17 sits within a prophetic discourse where God, through Isaiah, confronts the nation of Judah concerning their spiritual and moral corruption. Preceding this verse, God denounces their empty rituals and sacrifices, indicating that their outward religious observances are meaningless given their internal wickedness and social injustice. The call to "learn to do well" and "seek justice" immediately follows this condemnation, presenting a stark contrast and a divine imperative for genuine repentance and reform. This verse then sets the stage for promises of forgiveness and restoration if they obey, or further judgment if they refuse, establishing a crucial turning point in the chapter's argument for true devotion over mere religiosity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 22:15
Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him.
- Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that ye shall do: Speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates;
- Isaiah 1:23
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
- Proverbs 31:9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
- Zephaniah 2:3
Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.
- Daniel 4:27
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
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