Isaiah 59:14

KJV

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

KJV (with Strong's)

And judgment {H4941} is turned away {H5253} backward {H268}, and justice {H6666} standeth {H5975} afar off {H7350}: for truth {H571} is fallen {H3782} in the street {H7339}, and equity {H5229} cannot {H3201} enter {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus justice is repelled, righteousness stands apart, at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public court, and uprightness cannot enter.

Berean Standard Bible

So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter.

American Standard Version

And justice is turned away backward, and righteousness standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 59:14 presents a stark and lamentable portrait of a society in profound moral and spiritual decline, where the foundational pillars of righteous governance and societal integrity have collapsed. The prophet Isaiah vividly describes a public sphere where justice and judgment are perverted and inaccessible, truth is openly disregarded and trampled, and fairness finds no entry. This verse serves as a powerful indictment of a nation whose pervasive sinfulness has led to a catastrophic breakdown of civil order and a deep separation from God's intended standards of uprightness, highlighting the dire consequences of a people's rebellion against divine principles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 59 functions as a powerful prophetic lament and indictment, immediately following a series of chapters (Isaiah 56-58) that meticulously critique Israel's superficial religiosity and profound moral failings. In chapter 59, Isaiah directly confronts the people, asserting that their pervasive sins, rather than any divine limitation, have created an insurmountable chasm between them and their Creator, preventing their prayers from being heard and their needs from being met, as articulated in [Isaiah 59:1-2](/isaiah/59-1-2 "Isaiah 59:1-2 - God's Arm Not Shortened, Ear Not Heavy"). The chapter then meticulously details a comprehensive catalogue of societal transgressions, including rampant violence, pervasive deceit, systemic injustice, and a complete erosion of integrity, leading to a state of profound spiritual blindness and moral darkness described in [Isaiah 59:3-8](/isaiah/59-3-8 "Isaiah 59:3-8 - A Catalogue of Israel's Sins"). Verse 14 specifically articulates the devastating consequences of this widespread wickedness, illustrating how the very structures designed to uphold order and righteousness have been corrupted and rendered utterly ineffective. This dire societal condition then sets the stage for God's eventual, decisive intervention as the sole agent of salvation, as humanity's efforts have proven futile, a theme powerfully developed in [Isaiah 59:15-20](/isaiah/59-15-20 "Isaiah 59:15-20 - God's Righteous Indignation and Promise of Redemption").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely spanning the reigns of several Judean kings (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah). While the precise historical setting for chapter 59 is debated (pre-exilic or post-exilic), the descriptions resonate deeply with periods of profound moral decline and societal corruption common in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, including Judah. The "street" (Hebrew: _rᵉchôb_) would have been the public square or city gate, which served as the primary locus for legal proceedings, commercial transactions, and public discourse. For justice to be "turned away backward" or "stand afar off" in such a setting implied a radical perversion of the very institutions designed to administer law and uphold order. The cultural expectation, deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, was that elders and judges at the city gate would ensure equitable and truthful judgments, reflecting the divine mandate for justice found throughout the Torah. The catastrophic failure of these foundational systems indicated a deep-seated spiritual sickness affecting all levels of society, from corrupt leadership to complacent common citizens, signaling a profound departure from the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 59:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the prophetic book of Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores the pervasive theme of **Israel's Sin and Rebellion**, demonstrating how their unrighteousness has alienated them from God and plunged society into chaos. The verse vividly portrays the comprehensive nature of this moral decay, where even the most fundamental societal virtues are corrupted. Secondly, it highlights the critical theme of the **Breakdown of Justice and Righteousness**, lamenting the profound absence of integrity in the public sphere and the systemic perversion of legal systems. This is a recurring prophetic concern throughout Isaiah, as seen in earlier indictments of Jerusalem's corruption in [Isaiah 1:21-23](/isaiah/1-21-23 "Isaiah 1:21-23 - The Corrupt City and Empty Worship"). Thirdly, the verse subtly but powerfully introduces the theme of **Divine Absence and Necessary Intervention**. While God is not explicitly stated as having withdrawn, the dire state of affairs implies His judgment and the urgent need for His ultimate intervention, as human efforts to restore order have utterly failed. This sets the stage for the dramatic shift later in the chapter where God Himself "saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor," prompting His own decisive action, as described in [Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Intervention"). Finally, it speaks to the severe **Consequences of Apostasy**, demonstrating how a departure from covenant faithfulness leads not only to spiritual alienation but also to tangible societal breakdown and moral decay.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** 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. In this context, _mishpâṭ_ refers to the established legal and moral order, representing the righteous administration of justice. Its being "turned away backward" signifies a complete reversal or perversion of its intended function, where justice is not merely absent but actively subverted, and what is right is deemed wrong.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _ʼemeth'_):** Contracted from אָמַן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. _ʼemeth_ denotes faithfulness, reliability, and objective reality. The powerful image of truth "fallen in the street" suggests that honesty and integrity, which should be openly upheld and accessible, are instead publicly disgraced, abandoned, and trampled upon, lying exposed and vulnerable in the very public spaces where life unfolds.
* **Equity (Hebrew, _nᵉkôchâh'_):** Feminine of נָכֹחַ; properly, straightforwardness, i.e. (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth; equity, right (thing), uprightness. _Nᵉkôchâh_ signifies moral rectitude, fairness, and uprightness. The phrase "equity cannot enter" conveys that there is no space, acceptance, or avenue for integrity to penetrate or influence the corrupt systems and practices of society; it is actively barred from having any impact, highlighting a pervasive resistance to moral correction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And judgment is turned away backward":** This clause vividly describes the profound perversion of the legal system and the moral order. "Judgment" (_mishpâṭ_) refers to the righteous administration of justice and the upholding of divine law. To be "turned away backward" (from _nâçag_ and _ʼâchôwr_) implies a complete reversal of its proper course, where what is right is deemed wrong, and legal decisions are made unjustly, against the very principles they should uphold. This signifies a society where the foundational principles of justice are fundamentally undermined.
* **"and justice standeth afar off":** Following the perversion of judgment, "justice" (_tsᵉdâqâh_, righteousness) is depicted as being distant and inaccessible. It is not merely absent but has retreated, becoming an unattainable ideal rather than a practical reality in the daily lives of the people or in the courts. This signifies a society where moral integrity and equitable treatment are no longer present or practiced, creating a chasm between the ideal and the reality.
* **"for truth is fallen in the street":** This vivid metaphor illustrates the public abandonment and degradation of honesty and faithfulness. "Truth" (_ʼemeth_), representing reliability and integrity, is not merely hidden but has "fallen" (_kâshal_, stumbled/fallen) in the "street" (_rᵉchôb_, public square). This indicates that truth is openly disregarded, exposed to contempt, and trampled underfoot by the populace, speaking to a profound societal moral decay where integrity has lost all public value and is publicly shamed.
* **"and equity cannot enter":** This final clause emphasizes the complete obstruction of fairness and uprightness. "Equity" (_nᵉkôchâh_), signifying straightforwardness and moral rectitude, is unable to "enter" (_bôwʼ_, come in). This suggests that the societal systems are so entrenched in corruption that there is no room or acceptance for integrity to penetrate or exert any influence, highlighting a system utterly resistant to reform or moral correction, effectively barring any hope of uprightness from taking root.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 59:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of pervasive societal decay. **Personification** is prominently used, as abstract concepts like "judgment," "justice," "truth," and "equity" are given human-like actions: judgment is "turned away backward," justice "standeth afar off," truth "is fallen," and equity "cannot enter." This imbues these concepts with a sense of agency and suffering, making their absence or perversion more palpable and tragic. The phrase "truth is fallen in the street" is a striking **metaphor**, likening truth to a physical entity that has stumbled and lies disgraced in a public place, emphasizing its public abandonment, vulnerability, and the open contempt it faces. The cumulative effect of these images, describing multiple pillars of society in a state of collapse, creates a powerful sense of **hyperbole** and **lament**, underscoring the overwhelming and comprehensive nature of the nation's moral failure. The parallel structure of the clauses also contributes to the **rhythmic intensity** and reinforces the pervasive and systemic nature of the problem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 59:14 serves as a profound theological statement on the indispensable nature of justice, truth, and equity for a society's well-being and its relationship with God. It reveals that when these divine attributes are abandoned, the result is not merely social disorder but a deep spiritual chasm between humanity and its Creator. The prophet's lament underscores the biblical conviction that true righteousness is not just a personal virtue but a societal imperative, reflecting God's own character and His desire for His people to embody His attributes. The perversion of justice and the public abandonment of truth are seen as direct affronts to God's holy nature, necessitating His intervention. This passage resonates with the broader prophetic tradition that consistently calls for social justice as an integral part of covenant faithfulness, arguing that ritual worship is meaningless without ethical living and a commitment to righteousness in all spheres of life.

* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [Psalms 11:3](/psalms/11-3 "Psalms 11:3 - When Foundations Are Destroyed")
* [Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Intervention When There Is No One")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 59:14 offers a timeless and sobering reflection on the fragility of societal order when its moral foundations erode. For believers today, this verse is a powerful call to examine the state of our own communities and hearts. Are we, individually and collectively, contributing to the perversion of justice, the disregard for truth, or the obstruction of equity? The "street" where truth has fallen can represent our public discourse, media, legal systems, and even our personal interactions and relationships. This passage challenges us to be active agents of righteousness, speaking truth in love, advocating for the marginalized, and upholding integrity in all spheres of life, even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or costly. It reminds us that our faith is not merely private piety but has profound implications for how we engage with and seek to transform the world around us, reflecting God's character in a fallen world. While the picture painted in this verse is bleak, the subsequent verses in Isaiah 59 point to God's ultimate intervention, offering profound hope that even in the darkest times, His justice and salvation will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "judgment be turned away backward" or "justice stand afar off" in our contemporary society, our local communities, or even within our personal spheres of influence?**
* **Where do we observe "truth fallen in the street" today, and what is our individual and collective responsibility in upholding or restoring it in public discourse and private interactions?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as the church, actively work to ensure that "equity can enter" and thrive in our communities, institutions, and relationships, especially for the vulnerable?**
* **What specific, tangible actions can I take this week to embody truth, justice, and equity in my daily life and sphere of influence, reflecting the character of God?**

### FAQ
**What does "truth is fallen in the street" mean metaphorically?**

Answer: Metaphorically, "truth is fallen in the street" signifies the public abandonment, degradation, and disregard for honesty, integrity, and faithfulness. It suggests that truth, which should be openly upheld and accessible, is instead openly disgraced, trampled underfoot, and rendered ineffective in the very public spaces where life unfolds, such as legal proceedings, commerce, and general discourse. This powerful imagery conveys a profound moral decay where the foundational pillar of integrity has collapsed, and genuine veracity is no longer valued or sought after, but rather lies exposed to contempt.

**Is there hope for a society described in Isaiah 59:14?**

Answer: While Isaiah 59:14 paints a dire picture of societal collapse due to pervasive sin, the broader context of Isaiah 59, and indeed the entire book of Isaiah, offers profound hope. Immediately following this lament, Isaiah describes God's response to the absence of justice and intercession. Because "there was no man" to help, God Himself intervenes, putting on righteousness as a breastplate and salvation as a helmet, and executing judgment with zeal, as seen in [Isaiah 59:16-17](/isaiah/59-16-17 "Isaiah 59:16-17 - God's Divine Warrior"). This foreshadows God's ultimate act of redemption and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. Therefore, the hope for such a society lies not in its own ability to reform but in God's sovereign and just intervention to bring salvation and establish lasting righteousness, ultimately through the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 59:14, with its lament over the devastating absence of judgment, justice, truth, and equity, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah, in this very chapter, sets the stage for God's direct intervention because "there was no man" to intercede or bring justice, and "no one to uphold" righteousness ([Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Righteous Indignation and Intervention")). This divine intervention is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who is the very **Truth** made flesh, declaring Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He did not allow truth to fall in the street but lived a life of perfect integrity, speaking and embodying divine reality, even to the point of death. Jesus is also the embodiment of perfect **Justice** and **Righteousness**, fulfilling the Law and establishing a new covenant where righteousness is imputed to believers through faith, as God's righteousness is revealed through faith in Christ ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Where human judgment was "turned away backward" and justice "stood afar off," Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, provided the means for humanity to be reconciled to a holy God, thereby establishing true justice and **Equity** by making those who believe righteous in God's sight ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His inaugurated kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). Thus, the despair of Isaiah 59:14 is transformed into the glorious hope of the Gospel, where Christ, the righteous King and divine Intercessor, brings about the very justice, truth, and equity that humanity so desperately lacked and continues to long for.

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

Habakkuk 1:4

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Amos 5:11

Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

Isaiah 5:23

Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Ecclesiastes 3:16

¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there.

Isaiah 1:21

¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Jeremiah 5:27

As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

Jeremiah 5:28

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.