Isaiah 10:1

KJV

¶ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H1945} unto them that decree {H2710} unrighteous {H205} decrees {H2711}, and that write {H3789} grievousness {H5999} which they have prescribed {H3789};

Complete Jewish Bible

Woe to those who enact unjust decrees and draft oppressive legislation

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees,

American Standard Version

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 10:1 delivers a searing prophetic denunciation, a "woe," against the legislative and judicial authorities within Judah who profoundly pervert justice. This verse condemns those who deliberately enact and enforce laws that are inherently unrighteous and designed to inflict suffering upon the populace. It powerfully underscores God's unwavering concern for equity and His severe condemnation of leaders who abuse their power to oppress the vulnerable, signaling an impending divine judgment for such systemic wickedness and moral corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 10:1 initiates a distinct oracle (Isaiah 10:1-4) that serves as a direct and scathing indictment against the internal corruption prevalent among Judah's leadership. This passage immediately follows a series of "woe" oracles found earlier in Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 5:8-23](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8-23 - Series of Woes Against Injustice")) and precedes the detailed account of Assyria's role as God's instrument of judgment against Israel and Judah (beginning in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria, God's Instrument of Wrath")). While the preceding chapters (e.g., [Isaiah 7](/isaiah/7 "Isaiah 7 - Ahaz and the Sign of Immanuel") and [Isaiah 8](/isaiah/8 "Isaiah 8 - Isaiah's Son and the Invasion")) focus heavily on the external threat posed by Assyria and the impending divine discipline upon both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, this particular "woe" shifts the prophetic lens. It directs attention inward, exposing the deep-seated moral decay and social injustice that had become institutionalized within Judah itself, revealing that the nation's own leaders, through their legislative and judicial malfeasance, were actively contributing to the conditions that made them ripe for God's righteous discipline. This emphasizes a profound theological truth: judgment often begins with God's own people and their internal failings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the 8th century BCE, the period of Isaiah's ministry, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were deeply rooted in the Mosaic Covenant, which established justice (*mishpat*) and righteousness (*tzedakah*) as non-negotiable foundations for their societal structure. Kings, judges, and elders were divinely appointed to uphold these principles, with a particular mandate to protect the vulnerable segments of society: the poor, widows, orphans, and sojourners (as seen in [Deuteronomy 24:17-22](/deuteronomy/24-17-22 "Deuteronomy 24:17-22 - Justice for the Vulnerable")). However, by Isaiah's era, there was widespread social stratification, economic disparity, and rampant corruption. The powerful elite frequently exploited legal loopholes, bribed officials, or outright perverted the justice system to dispossess the weak, accumulate vast wealth, and solidify their own status and influence. Isaiah 10:1 directly confronts this systemic abuse of legislative and judicial authority, condemning those who crafted laws not for the common good or adherence to covenantal principles, but for personal gain, the oppression of the defenseless, and the perpetuation of their own power. This represented a stark and egregious violation of God's covenantal demands for a just and equitable society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that resonate throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It emphatically underscores **God's Divine Condemnation of Injustice**, revealing His immutable character as a righteous judge who will not tolerate the perversion of justice, especially when perpetrated by those entrusted with authority. It highlights the profound issue of **Abuse of Power**, demonstrating that leaders are ultimately accountable to a higher standard—God's standard—and that their legislative and judicial actions carry eternal consequences. The specific emphasis on "writing grievousness" points to **Systemic Oppression**, where injustice is not merely an isolated act of corruption but is codified, institutionalized, and deeply entrenched within the very legal framework of society, making it pervasive and difficult to escape. Implicitly, the "woe" also champions **God's Advocacy for the Vulnerable**, as His judgment falls precisely upon those who exploit the weak, affirming His unwavering concern for the marginalized and defenseless. This aligns seamlessly with prophetic calls for justice, such as the famous declaration for justice to "roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice Rolls Down Like Waters"), and the contrast between the righteous who care for the poor and the wicked who do not understand such care in [Proverbs 29:7](/proverbs/29-7 "Proverbs 29:7 - The Righteous Care for the Poor").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** This interjection is far more than a simple lament or expression of sorrow. As used by the prophets, *hôwy* is a potent prophetic declaration, a solemn warning of impending doom and divine judgment. It signals a severe pronouncement of what will inevitably come upon those who persist in their wickedness, often preceding a detailed list of their offenses and the dire consequences. It carries the full weight of a divine verdict, indicating that God's patience has run out and His righteous judgment is imminent.
* **Unrighteous (Hebrew, _ʼâven'_):** Derived from a root that suggests "to pant" or "to come to naught," *ʼâven* signifies nothingness, trouble, vanity, and, most critically in this context, wickedness or iniquity. When applied to "decrees," it describes laws that are inherently perverse, morally corrupt, and lead to emptiness, ruin, or societal breakdown. It highlights the profound moral perversion of legislation that stands in direct opposition to God's righteous character and His established standards of justice and equity. These are not merely flawed laws, but laws that are fundamentally evil.
* **Grievousness (Hebrew, _ʻâmâl'_):** This term denotes toil, wearing effort, worry, trouble, misery, and even perverseness or wickedness. It vividly describes the painful, burdensome, and oppressive consequences inflicted upon the populace by these unjust laws. The "grievousness" is not an accidental byproduct but is the intended or inevitable outcome of the "unrighteous decrees." It results in widespread suffering, hardship, and exploitation, particularly among the most vulnerable members of society, revealing the cruel intent or callous indifference of those who enacted such legislation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees":** This opening clause functions as a direct, forceful, and authoritative condemnation from God, delivered through the prophet Isaiah, against the legislative and judicial authorities of Judah. It specifically targets those in positions of power who, by virtue of their office, possess the ability to establish laws and judgments. Instead of upholding divine righteousness and covenantal principles, they actively craft and enforce statutes that are inherently unjust, morally corrupt, and contrary to God's revealed will. The repetition of the root for "decree" (verb *châqaq* and noun *chêqeq*) powerfully emphasizes the deliberate, intentional, and institutionalized nature of their sin.
* **"and that write grievousness which they have prescribed":** This second clause serves as a parallel intensification of the first, further detailing the precise nature of the leaders' transgression. The act of "write" (Hebrew: *kâthab*) signifies the formal codification and inscription of these unjust laws, making them official, binding, and deeply entrenched within the legal system. The "grievousness" (Hebrew: *ʻâmâl*) refers to the misery, trouble, and oppression that these laws inevitably inflict upon the people. The phrase "which they have prescribed" reiterates the intentionality and premeditation behind these oppressive statutes, highlighting that the widespread suffering and hardship caused are a direct and calculated result of their deliberate legislative choices and abuse of power.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 10:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of condemnation with striking force. The most prominent is the use of a **Prophetic Woe Oracle**, immediately signaled by the opening "Woe" (Hebrew: *hôwy*). This is a distinct form of prophetic speech, often characterized by a lament or an exclamation of impending judgment, serving as a solemn warning to those who defy God's will and pervert justice. The verse also exhibits strong **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Synonymous Parallelism** with an intensifying effect. The phrases "decree unrighteous decrees" and "write grievousness which they have prescribed" express similar core ideas of legislative corruption but deepen the indictment by showing both the nature of the laws (unrighteous) and their painful consequences (grievousness), as well as the active, intentional role of the leaders in both creating and formally codifying them. The repetition of the root for "decree" (*châqaq* / *chêqeq*) and the double emphasis on the act of writing and prescribing serves as a potent form of **Repetition for Emphasis**, underscoring the deliberate, pervasive, and institutionalized nature of the injustice being condemned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 10:1 stands as a timeless theological statement on divine justice and human accountability, particularly for those entrusted with positions of power. It profoundly reveals God's unwavering character as a righteous Judge who holds all authority figures to account for their governance and legislative actions. Theologically, it underscores that true law must align with God's moral order and His covenantal demands for righteousness and equity. Any deviation into "unrighteous decrees" is a direct affront to His sovereignty, His character, and His heart for humanity. The verse also highlights the pervasive nature of sin, demonstrating how it can corrupt even the most sacred and foundational institutions—like law and governance—turning them into instruments of oppression rather than justice. It implicitly calls for a society where justice "rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" ([Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice Rolls Down Like Waters")), affirming God's profound concern for the vulnerable and His condemnation of any system that exploits or marginalizes them.

* [Deuteronomy 16:18-20](/deuteronomy/16-18-20 "Deuteronomy 16:18-20 - Appointment of Judges and Just Decisions")
* [Psalm 82:3-4](/psalms/82-3-4 "Psalm 82:3-4 - Defend the Poor and Needy")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires: Justice, Mercy, and Humility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 10:1 remains profoundly relevant for every generation, serving as a powerful mirror for societies and individuals alike. It compels us to critically examine the laws, policies, and systemic structures that govern our communities and nations, asking whether they truly promote justice, equity, and the holistic well-being of all, especially the marginalized and vulnerable. As believers, this verse calls us to be vigilant advocates for righteousness, speaking out prophetically against systemic injustices and actively working to dismantle "unrighteous decrees" wherever they manifest, whether in legislation, economic practices, or social norms. It reminds us that our primary allegiance is to God's kingdom, where justice and righteousness reign supreme, and that we are called to embody His heart for the oppressed and to be instruments of His redemptive justice in the world. Furthermore, this passage serves as a solemn warning to all in positions of authority—from national leaders and policymakers to local community organizers and even those within families—that power is a sacred trust, given by God, and will ultimately be judged by His perfect standard of justice and righteousness. Our application extends to personal responsibility, ensuring our own actions, decisions, and even our silence do not contribute to the "grievousness" of others but rather promote their flourishing and uphold the dignity of every human created in God's image.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Isaiah 10:1 challenge our contemporary understanding of governmental authority and its divine accountability?**
* **In what specific ways might "unrighteous decrees" or "grievousness" manifest in our modern legal, economic, or social structures, and how can we actively identify and resist them?**
* **What is our responsibility as followers of Christ to advocate for justice and stand with the oppressed in light of this passage, and what practical steps can we take in our spheres of influence?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "Woe" pronouncement in Isaiah?**

Answer: The "Woe" (Hebrew: *hôwy*) in Isaiah is a profound prophetic literary device that carries significant weight. It is not merely an expression of sorrow or lament, but a solemn and authoritative declaration of impending divine judgment. It functions as a legal indictment, signaling God's condemnation of specific sins and warning of the inevitable, severe consequences that will follow. In Isaiah, these "woes" often introduce a series of charges against those who have defied God's covenant and perverted justice, serving as a powerful prophetic warning, as seen in the collection of "woes" in [Isaiah 5:8-23](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8-23 - Series of Woes Against Injustice").

**Who are "them that decree unrighteous decrees" in this context?**

Answer: This phrase primarily refers to the leaders, judges, and legislative authorities within Judah during Isaiah's time (the 8th century BCE). These were the individuals entrusted with the immense power to interpret, apply, and create laws for the nation. Instead of upholding the righteous standards of God's covenant, they used their positions to craft and enforce statutes that were morally corrupt, designed to exploit the poor, widows, and orphans, and to enrich themselves or their favored allies. [Isaiah 10:2](/isaiah/10-2 "Isaiah 10:2 - Exploitation of the Poor") directly details the specific victims of these unjust laws, highlighting the devastating impact of such legislative corruption on the most vulnerable members of society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 10:1 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct messianic prophecy, but in Jesus' perfect embodiment of divine justice and His ultimate authority over all earthly powers. While human rulers throughout history have "decreed unrighteous decrees" and inflicted "grievousness" upon their subjects, Jesus, as the true King and supreme Lawgiver, perfectly upholds God's righteous standards. He is the one who will "judge the world in righteousness" ([Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness")) and whose eternal kingdom is characterized by true justice, peace, and an unwavering commitment to the marginalized ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace and His Everlasting Kingdom")). Furthermore, Jesus Himself pronounced similar "woes" upon the religious leaders of His day who, like the corrupt officials in Isaiah's time, burdened the people with oppressive regulations while neglecting the "weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" ([Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - The Weightier Matters of the Law")). Christ profoundly identifies with the oppressed and vulnerable, promising ultimate judgment for those who neglect or exploit "the least of these" ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Ultimately, the "grievousness" of humanity's sin and the unrighteousness of our fallen world were borne by the Lamb of God on the cross, where divine justice and mercy perfectly converged, paving the way for a new heaven and new earth where "righteousness dwells" and all unrighteous decrees are abolished forever ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Micah 3:1

¶ And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; [Is it] not for you to know judgment?

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Matthew 23:23

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

John 19:6

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him.

Psalms 94:20

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Psalms 94:21

They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.