Isaiah 1:6

KJV

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

KJV (with Strong's)

From the sole {H3709} of the foot {H7272} even unto the head {H7218} there is no soundness {H4974} in it; but wounds {H6482}, and bruises {H2250}, and putrifying {H2961} sores {H4347}: they have not been closed {H2115}, neither bound up {H2280}, neither mollified {H7401} with ointment {H8081}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From the sole of the foot to the head there is nothing healthy, only wounds, bruises and festering sores that haven't been dressed or bandaged or softened up with oil.

Berean Standard Bible

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness— only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.

American Standard Version

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 1:6 presents a stark and graphic depiction of the nation of Judah's profound spiritual and moral decay. Through the prophet Isaiah, God employs the powerful metaphor of a grievously wounded and neglected body to illustrate the pervasive sickness within His covenant people. This verse highlights their widespread rebellion and the dire consequences of their unaddressed sin, emphasizing a complete lack of spiritual health from the highest echelons of society to its lowest members, all suffering from festering, untreated spiritual injuries that signify their deep alienation from God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 1:6 is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Isaiah, often referred to as "The Great Arraignment" or "The Lord's Controversy." This chapter serves as a comprehensive indictment of Judah's spiritual apostasy, setting the tone for the entire prophetic book. The preceding verses establish God's parental complaint against His ungrateful children who have "forsaken the Lord" and "provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger" as detailed in [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2-4 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - God's Indictment of Rebellious Israel"). The imagery of a diseased body in verse 6 vividly portrays the physical manifestation of this spiritual rebellion, explaining *why* they are "a sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity" as stated in [Isaiah 1:4](/isaiah/1-4 "Isaiah 1:4 - A Sinful Nation"). It immediately follows a description of their backsliding and the futility of further divine chastisement, suggesting that their condition is already critical and deeply entrenched.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a period of relative political stability and economic prosperity in Judah, spanning the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c. 740-687 BC). Despite this outward success, the nation was plagued by deep spiritual decline, idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial religiosity that masked a profound lack of true devotion to Yahweh. The people engaged in outward rituals and sacrifices while their hearts were far from God, a hypocrisy powerfully critiqued in [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Justice"). The imagery of wounds and sores would have been familiar to an ancient audience, as medical practices involved cleaning, binding, and anointing wounds with oil or balm to promote healing and prevent infection. The absence of such care in the verse underscores the severity and neglect of Judah's spiritual malady, implying a self-inflicted and unaddressed condition that has been allowed to fester.
* **Key Themes:** The imagery in [Isaiah 1:6](/isaiah/1-6 "Isaiah 1:6 - The Nation's Spiritual Sickness") contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Profound Spiritual Corruption**, portraying a deep-seated and widespread spiritual sickness that affects the entire nation, "from the sole of the foot even unto the head." This isn't a superficial problem but a systemic decay affecting every aspect of their society and leadership, indicating a complete absence of spiritual health or moral integrity. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Rebellion and Consequences**, as the injuries are not accidental but are the direct result of Judah's persistent disobedience and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. Their rebellion has left them spiritually broken and diseased, much like a body that has suffered severe harm, highlighting the inevitable outcome of forsaking the Lord. Lastly, it emphasizes the **Lack of Repentance and Healing**, as the phrase "they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment" highlights the nation's stubborn refusal to acknowledge their dire condition or seek the divine healing that God offered. It points to a pervasive spiritual apathy and an unwillingness to return to the Lord, despite His repeated calls for repentance found throughout [Isaiah 1](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - God's Case Against Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soundness (Hebrew, _mᵉthôm'_):** From H4974, this word denotes wholeness, integrity, or health. Its use in the negative ("no soundness") emphasizes a complete absence of spiritual health, moral integrity, or spiritual well-being throughout the entire nation. It implies a state of utter corruption where no part is healthy or intact, reflecting a profound internal decay.
* **Bruises (Hebrew, _chabbûwrâh'_):** From H2250, this term refers to a weal or a black-and-blue mark, typically resulting from blows or stripes. In this context, it suggests contusions or welts, possibly hinting at the chastisement or judgment Judah had already endured or was about to endure from God, yet without any resulting repentance or healing, indicating a hardened heart.
* **Mollified (Hebrew, _râkak'_):** From H7401, meaning "to soften." This word, used in the negative ("neither mollified"), describes the absence of soothing care applied to the wounds. In ancient medical practice, wounds were often softened with oil or balm to alleviate pain, promote healing, and make them pliable for binding. The lack of mollification signifies the complete neglect of these spiritual wounds, allowing them to fester and worsen, demonstrating a profound spiritual apathy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it":** This opening clause employs hyperbole to convey the pervasive and total nature of Judah's spiritual sickness. It signifies that no part of the nation—from the lowest common person to the highest leader—is untouched by sin or spiritually healthy. The corruption is absolute and comprehensive, indicating that the entire societal and spiritual fabric is diseased.
* **"[but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores":** This segment specifies the types of injuries afflicting the nation, moving from general unhealth to particular afflictions. "Wounds" (Hebrew: _petsaʻ_) refer to fresh cuts or gashes, indicating recent injuries or active transgressions. "Bruises" (Hebrew: _chabbûwrâh_) are contusions or welts, suggesting older, perhaps repeatedly inflicted damage from past disobedience and divine chastisement. "Putrifying sores" (Hebrew: _makkâh ṭârîy_) describes fresh, raw, festering wounds, emphasizing the unhealed, worsening, and infectious nature of their spiritual condition, which is actively decaying and spreading its corruption.
* **"they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment":** This final clause highlights the critical neglect of these spiritual injuries. "Closed" (Hebrew: _zûwr_) implies pressing together or tightening, suggesting the lack of proper cleansing or initial treatment to prevent further damage. "Bound up" (Hebrew: _châbash_) refers to wrapping or bandaging, indicating the absence of ongoing care to protect and support healing, leaving the wounds exposed. "Mollified with ointment" (Hebrew: _râkak_ with _shemen_) points to the failure to apply soothing oil or balm, which was crucial for pain relief and promoting recovery in ancient medicine. This triple negative underscores the nation's stubborn refusal to acknowledge their condition or seek divine remedy, allowing their spiritual wounds to remain open, untreated, and worsening, leading to profound spiritual putrefaction.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 1:6 is rich in powerful literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is the **Metaphor** of the nation of Judah as a grievously wounded and diseased body. This extended metaphor allows the prophet to vividly portray the spiritual and moral corruption as a tangible, physical ailment, making it relatable and impactful to the audience. The phrase "From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it" employs **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the damage to emphasize its totality and pervasiveness. This suggests that no part of the nation, from its lowest to its highest members, is free from spiritual sickness, indicating a complete systemic failure. Furthermore, the verse employs vivid **Imagery**, appealing to the reader's senses with descriptions of "wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores." This visceral imagery evokes disgust and alarm, underscoring the severity and repulsive nature of Judah's unaddressed sin. The detailed description of the lack of medical care ("not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment") further enhances this imagery, highlighting the profound neglect and the worsening condition of the spiritual malady, emphasizing the self-inflicted nature of their suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 1:6 profoundly illustrates the theological concept of sin as a spiritual disease that corrupts and debilitates. God, as the divine Physician, laments not only the presence of this widespread sickness but also the nation's stubborn refusal to accept the healing He offers. This passage underscores that spiritual rebellion leads to a pervasive internal decay, affecting every aspect of life and society, much like a physical illness that leaves no part of the body untouched. The unhealed wounds symbolize the accumulating consequences of unconfessed and unrepented sin, leading to a state of spiritual putrefaction. God's indictment is not merely a statement of fact but a lament over His people's self-inflicted suffering and their rejection of His grace, which alone could bring restoration and soundness. This passage highlights God's justice in allowing the natural consequences of sin to manifest, even as it implicitly calls for repentance as the only path to true healing.

* [Jeremiah 8:22](/jeremiah/8-22 "Jeremiah 8:22 - Is there no balm in Gilead?")
* [Psalm 38:3-5](/psalm/38-3-5 "Psalm 38:3-5 - David's Lament Over Sin and Sickness")
* [Hosea 5:13](/hosea/5-13 "Hosea 5:13 - Ephraim Seeks Assyria, Not God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 1:6 serves as a timeless and sobering mirror, challenging individuals and communities to honestly examine their own spiritual health. The graphic imagery compels us to recognize that unaddressed sin is not merely a superficial flaw but a deep-seated spiritual illness that can corrupt us entirely, leading to festering "wounds," "bruises," and "putrifying sores" of unresolved guilt, moral compromise, and spiritual apathy. This verse calls us to move beyond outward religious observance to a genuine internal transformation. It implores us to engage in diligent spiritual self-examination, confessing our failings and actively turning back to God, who alone is the ultimate Physician capable of providing true healing and restoration. Just as Judah was called to reason with God despite their scarlet sins in [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - God's Call to Repentance"), we are invited to bring our spiritual ailments to Him, trusting in His grace to bind up our wounds and apply the soothing balm of His forgiveness and renewal. Neglecting these spiritual "injuries" only allows them to worsen, leading to deeper decay and separation from God's life-giving presence and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be neglecting spiritual "wounds" or "bruises" that need God's healing touch?**
* **What specific "putrifying sores" of unconfessed sin or unaddressed spiritual apathy might be present in my heart or community?**
* **How does the imagery of "no soundness from head to foot" challenge my understanding of pervasive sin and the need for comprehensive spiritual renewal?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "close," "bind up," and "mollify" my spiritual wounds through repentance, confession, and seeking God's grace?**

### FAQ

**What does the phrase "no soundness in it" mean in the context of Isaiah 1:6?**

Answer: In Isaiah 1:6, "no soundness in it" means that the nation of Judah is entirely devoid of spiritual health, integrity, or wholeness. The imagery of a body covered in wounds from "the sole of the foot even unto the head" signifies that the corruption of sin has permeated every aspect of their society—from the common people to the leadership, from their personal lives to their communal institutions. There is no part of the nation that is spiritually healthy or morally intact; it is a comprehensive and pervasive spiritual sickness, indicating a complete breakdown of their covenant relationship with God.

**Why does God use such graphic and medical imagery to describe His people?**

Answer: God uses graphic medical imagery in [Isaiah 1:6](/isaiah/1-6 "Isaiah 1:6 - The Nation's Spiritual Sickness") to convey the severity and repulsive nature of Judah's spiritual condition in a way that is immediately understandable and impactful. Just as a body suffering from festering, untreated wounds evokes strong feelings of discomfort and urgency, so too does this imagery highlight the dire state of their spiritual decay. It emphasizes that their sin is not a minor ailment but a life-threatening disease that, if left unaddressed, will lead to complete destruction. This vivid language serves as a powerful indictment and a desperate call for repentance, underscoring the depth of God's concern for His people and the seriousness of their rebellion. It's a prophetic "diagnosis" intended to shock them into recognizing their urgent need for divine healing and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The graphic imagery of Isaiah 1:6, depicting a nation utterly diseased by sin and lacking any "soundness," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the Great Physician who came not for the healthy, but for the sick, as He Himself declared in [Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus Calls Sinners"). Where Judah was covered in unhealed wounds, Christ, by His own suffering, became the source of our healing. The prophet Isaiah himself foreshadows this in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"), declaring that "by His stripes we are healed." This prophecy is directly applied to Christ in the New Testament, as [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins") states, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." The "ointment" that Judah lacked is found in the precious blood of Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which cleanse, soothe, and restore. Through His sacrifice, Christ provides the ultimate "balm of Gilead" for the soul, as referenced in [Jeremiah 8:22](/jeremiah/8-22 "Jeremiah 8:22 - Is there no balm in Gilead?"), offering not just superficial treatment but complete spiritual soundness and new life to all who turn to Him in faith, transforming bodies of sin into temples of the Holy Spirit, as taught in [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 6:14

They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

Jeremiah 33:6

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Matthew 9:12

But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Jeremiah 8:21

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.

Jeremiah 8:22

[Is there] no balm in Gilead; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Psalms 38:3

[There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my sin.