King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Complete Jewish Bible:
learn to do good! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend orphans, plead for the widow.
Berean Standard Bible:
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
American Standard Version:
learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Learn{H3925} to do well{H3190}; seek{H1875} judgment{H4941}, relieve{H833} the oppressed{H2541}, judge{H8199} the fatherless{H3490}, plead{H7378} for the widow{H490}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 22:3
- Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Micah 6:8
- He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Psalms 82:3
- Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psalms 82:4
- Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 31:9
- Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Isaiah 1:23
- Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
Zechariah 7:9
- Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 1:17
Isaiah 1:17 is a verse that comes from the prophetic book of Isaiah, which is part of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible and the Tanakh in Judaism. The book of Isaiah is attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE, and it addresses the southern kingdom of Judah during a period of moral decay and idolatry. The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of social injustice and religious apostasy in Judah, where the people had turned away from God's laws and were engaging in corrupt practices.
The verse itself, Isaiah 1:17, encapsulates a call to repentance and a return to righteous living. It urges individuals to actively pursue justice and to defend those who are vulnerable in society. The themes of the verse include:
1. **Moral Responsibility**: "Learn to do well" suggests a personal commitment to moral improvement and the active pursuit of good deeds.
2. **Justice**: "Seek judgment" is a call to establish fair legal practices and to ensure that justice prevails in the community.
3. **Compassion**: "Relieve the oppressed" implores the audience to take action to alleviate the suffering of those who are being mistreated.
4. **Advocacy**: "Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow" emphasizes the need to protect and provide for the most vulnerable members of society—orphans and widows—who lacked social and economic power in ancient Israelite society.
In essence, Isaiah 1:17 is a powerful directive to the people of Judah, and by extension to all readers, to live justly, to care for the less fortunate, and to uphold the rights of the marginalized. It reflects the broader prophetic concern for social justice and the proper application of God's law, which is a central theme throughout the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3925
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָמַד
Transliteration: lâmad
Pronunciation: law-mad'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive); (un-) accustomed, [idiom] diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -ing). - Strong's Number: H3190
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָטַב
Transliteration: yâṭab
Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). - Strong's Number: H1875
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּרַשׁ
Transliteration: dârash
Pronunciation: daw-rash'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H833
There are 361 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָשַׁר
Transliteration: ʼâshar
Pronunciation: aw-shar'
Description: or אָשֵׁר; a primitive root; to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, proper; (call, be) bless(-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve. - Strong's Number: H2541
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָמוֹץ
Transliteration: châmôwts
Pronunciation: khaw-motse'
Description: from חָמֵץ; properly, violent; by implication, a robber; oppressed. - Strong's Number: H8199
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפַט
Transliteration: shâphaṭ
Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. - Strong's Number: H3490
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָתוֹם
Transliteration: yâthôwm
Pronunciation: yaw-thome'
Description: from an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person; fatherless (child), orphan. - Strong's Number: H7378
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיב
Transliteration: rîyb
Pronunciation: reeb
Description: or רוּב; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend; adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. - Strong's Number: H490
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַלְמָנָה
Transliteration: ʼalmânâh
Pronunciation: al-maw-naw'
Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; a widow; also a desolate place; desolate house (palace), widow.