Isaiah 9:17
What does Isaiah 9:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 9:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 9:17 means
Because of the pervasive wickedness and deceit within the nation, God declares that He will withheld compassion, even from those typically deserving of pity, such as "young men," "fatherless," and "widows." This is not because God is unmerciful by nature, but because "every one is profane and an evil-doer," and "every mouth speaketh folly." The corruption is so widespread and deeply ingrained that even the most vulnerable segments of society are implicated in the general apostasy. This further underscores the relentless nature of God's judgment, concluding again with the refrain: "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause the Lord will have no pleasure in their young men, and no pity on their widows and the children without fathers: for they are all haters of God and evil-doers, and foolish words come from every mouth. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore, over its young men the Lord rejoiceth not, And its orphans, and its widows He pitieth not, For every one <FI>is<Fi> profane, and an evil doer, And every mouth is speaking folly. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men: neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless, and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth hath spoken folly. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore the Lord will not rejoice in their young men, neither will he have mercy on their fatherless and on their widows; for every one is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.
Context
Building on the widespread destruction caused by corrupt leadership, this verse emphasizes the depth of Israel's corruption by stating God will not have compassion even on the vulnerable. It illustrates the totality of the nation's profanity. This context is crucial because it demonstrates the pervasive nature of their sin, leading to an even more intense description of God's burning wrath that consumes the land and its people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee; and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
- Jeremiah 18:21
Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men smitten of the sword in battle.
- Isaiah 13:18
Andtheirbows shall dash the young men in pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
- Psalms 147:10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
- Job 15:34
For the company of the godless shall be barren, And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.
- Jeremiah 5:1
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth; and I will pardon her.
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