57:16 57:16

Isaiah 57:17

57:18 57:18

Bible Versions

¶ For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
For the iniquity {H5771} of his covetousness {H1215} was I wroth {H7107}, and smote {H5221} him: I hid {H5641} me, and was wroth {H7107}, and he went on {H3212} frowardly {H7726} in the way {H1870} of his heart {H3820}.
It was because of their flagrant greed that I was angry and struck them; I hid myself and was angry, but they continued on their own rebellious way.
I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him; I hid my face and was wroth; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

Isaiah 57:17 reveals God's righteous indignation and disciplinary action against His people, Israel, specifically highlighting the sin that provoked His wrath. The verse underscores the severe consequences of persistent rebellion and the nature of God's judgment when His warnings are ignored.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Isaiah (chapters 56-57) where the prophet strongly condemns the spiritual and moral corruption prevalent among the Israelites, including their idolatry, unfaithfulness, and social injustices. While earlier verses in chapter 57 detail their turning to pagan worship and immoral practices, verse 17 pinpoints "the iniquity of his covetousness" as a core reason for divine displeasure. God's response—to "smote him" and "hid me"—signifies a period of judgment and withdrawal of divine favor, often experienced as hardship or a sense of God's absence. Despite this divine discipline, the people's response was to continue "frowardly in the way of his heart," indicating a stubborn and unrepentant attitude.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Wrath: God's anger is not arbitrary but a righteous response to sin, particularly greed and injustice. The phrase "was I wroth, and smote him" speaks to a just and active judgment.
  • The Destructive Nature of Covetousness: This verse identifies covetousness (or unjust gain) as a significant sin that provokes God's wrath. It highlights how unchecked desire for material things can lead to spiritual decay and divine discipline. For more on this, consider Colossians 3:5, which calls covetousness idolatry.
  • Consequences of Sin and Divine Withdrawal: God's act of "hiding Himself" (withdrawal of His manifest presence or blessing) is a form of discipline, intended to bring His people to repentance. This concept is also seen in Deuteronomy 31:17.
  • Human Stubbornness and Rebellion: The phrase "he went on frowardly in the way of his heart" emphasizes the people's persistent, defiant pursuit of their own sinful desires despite the consequences and God's attempts to correct them. The deceitfulness of the human heart is a recurring biblical theme.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Covetousness" (Hebrew: betsa`, בֶּצַע): This word often denotes dishonest gain, ill-gotten profit, or greed, especially when it involves exploitation or oppression. It's more than just wanting; it's about acquiring unjustly.
  • "Wroth" (Hebrew: qatsaph, קָצַף): Signifies intense anger or indignation, indicating God's strong displeasure.
  • "Frowardly" (Hebrew: shuvav, שׁוֹבָב): Means backsliding, rebellious, or stubbornly turning away. It describes a deliberate and persistent refusal to change one's ways, despite facing consequences.

Practical Application

Isaiah 57:17 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of greed and spiritual stubbornness. For believers today, it highlights several important truths:

  • Examine Your Heart: We are called to guard against covetousness, recognizing it as a serious sin that can lead to spiritual separation from God's blessing and presence. What are the true desires of your heart?
  • Respond to Discipline: When we experience hardships or a sense of God's distance, it may be His loving discipline calling us to repentance, not abandonment. This echoes the sentiment found in Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."
  • Beware of Stubbornness: Persisting in sin despite God's warnings and discipline only deepens the spiritual divide. True wisdom lies in humility and a willingness to turn back to God when convicted of wrongdoing.
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.

  • Isaiah 56:11

    Yea, [they are] greedy dogs [which] can never have enough, and they [are] shepherds [that] cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

  • Jeremiah 6:13

    For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Colossians 3:5

    ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • 2 Peter 2:14

    Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

  • Ephesians 5:3

    ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

  • Ephesians 5:5

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Jeremiah 5:3

    O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
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