Isaiah 63:17

KJV

O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

O LORD {H3068}, why hast thou made us to err {H8582} from thy ways {H1870}, and hardened {H7188} our heart {H3820} from thy fear {H3374}? Return {H7725} for thy servants {H5650}' sake, the tribes {H7626} of thine inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, why do you let us wander from your ways and harden our hearts, so that we do not fear you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes who are your possession.

Berean Standard Bible

Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.

American Standard Version

O Jehovah, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 63:17 is a profound lament from the prophet, voiced on behalf of a distressed Israel, questioning God's apparent withdrawal and the spiritual hardening of His people. It expresses a deep theological tension, as the nation grapples with its spiritual decline and attributes it, in part, to divine allowance or action, while simultaneously appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and pleading for His merciful return to His chosen inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a sustained prayer of lament and intercession found in Isaiah 63:7-64:12. This section immediately follows a vivid depiction of God's righteous vengeance against His enemies and His past acts of salvation for Israel, particularly the Exodus. The sharp shift in tone to a collective cry of anguish highlights the profound disconnect between God's past faithfulness and the nation's current state of spiritual desolation and perceived abandonment. The people acknowledge their sinfulness and unworthiness, yet they appeal to God's enduring compassion and His covenant relationship, recalling His past mercies and expressing a desperate longing for His renewed presence and intervention. This lament serves as a climactic prayer within the book, encapsulating the spiritual struggle of a people who feel distant from their God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period reflected in Isaiah 63-64 is most likely the post-exilic era, or perhaps a time of deep national distress following the Babylonian exile. The people have returned to their land, but the glorious restoration prophesied has not fully materialized. Instead, they face hardship, spiritual apathy, and a sense of God's absence. Culturally, lament was a recognized and vital form of prayer in ancient Israel, allowing the community to express confusion, pain, and even accusation towards God in times of suffering, while simultaneously reaffirming trust in His ultimate goodness and power. The concept of Israel as God's "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, *nachălâh*) was deeply rooted in their covenant identity, stemming from God's choice of them as His treasured possession among all peoples, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 4:20](/deuteronomy/4-20 "Deuteronomy 4:20 - Israel, God's Inheritance"). Their plea for God to "return" resonates with the historical reality of His perceived withdrawal during periods of judgment and exile.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 63:17 introduces and reinforces several critical themes. The most prominent is the profound tension between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility**. The lament "why hast thou made us to err... and hardened our heart" is a rhetorical question born of anguish, not necessarily a theological statement denying human culpability. It reflects the people's struggle to reconcile their suffering and spiritual decline with God's omnipotence, acknowledging that even their hardened state is somehow within the scope of His permissive will or judgment, a theme echoed in [Romans 9:18](/romans/9-18 "Romans 9:18 - God's Sovereignty in Hardening"). Another key theme is **Lament and Supplication**, showcasing the raw honesty permitted in biblical prayer, where confusion and pain are brought directly to God. The verse is also a fervent **Plea for Restoration**, as the people cry out for God to "Return," appealing to His covenant faithfulness and their unique status as "thy servants" and "the tribes of thine inheritance," a designation that underscores God's prior commitment to them as His chosen people, as highlighted in [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel as God's Chosen People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **err (Hebrew, _tâʻâh'_):** From H8582, meaning "to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both; (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way." In this context, the people are lamenting their spiritual wandering and deviation from God's righteous path, questioning why God has allowed or even seemingly caused them to stray. This is a cry of bewilderment and pain, attributing their spiritual decline to a divine allowance or judgment rather than solely their own will.
* **hardened (Hebrew, _qâshach'_):** From H7188, a primitive root meaning "to be (causatively, make) unfeeling; harden." When applied to the heart, it denotes a spiritual insensitivity, an unwillingness to respond to God's commands, warnings, or invitations. The lament suggests that their hearts have become unresponsive to divine influence, and they are asking why this state has been permitted or brought about by God.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** From H3820, a form of _lêbâb_, meaning "the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything." In ancient Hebrew thought, the heart was not merely the seat of emotion but the core of one's being, the center of thought, will, and moral decision. Thus, a hardened heart signifies a profound spiritual condition where the very essence of their being has become resistant to God's "fear" or reverence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways,"**: This opening clause is a poignant rhetorical question, a direct address to God (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068). The people, in their anguish, attribute their spiritual wandering and deviation from God's righteous "ways" (derek, H1870 - a course of life or mode of action) to a divine act or allowance. It's a desperate attempt to understand their spiritual decline, not necessarily a theological assertion of God forcing sin, but rather an expression of feeling abandoned or left to their own devices, leading to apostasy.
* **"[and] hardened our heart from thy fear?"**: This continues the lament, extending the divine action to the spiritual insensitivity of their "heart" (lêb, H3820). To be hardened "from thy fear" (yirʼâh, H3374 - reverence, dread) means they have lost their awe and reverence for God, becoming unresponsive to His commands and presence. The question implies that this spiritual state, too, is perceived as being under God's sovereign hand, either as a direct judgment or a consequence of His withdrawal.
* **"Return for thy servants' sake,"**: This is the turning point of the lament, a fervent plea for God to "return" (shûwb, H7725 - to turn back, restore). Despite their hardened hearts and straying, they appeal to God's character and their relationship with Him. They call themselves "thy servants" (ʻebed, H5650), emphasizing their identity as those belonging to Him and serving Him, even if imperfectly. This is a call for divine intervention and restoration of fellowship.
* **"the tribes of thine inheritance."**: This final phrase reinforces the basis of their appeal. They remind God of their unique status as "the tribes" (shêbeṭ, H7626 - a clan, tribe) of His "inheritance" (nachălâh, H5159 - something inherited, an estate, patrimony). This invokes the covenant relationship where Israel was chosen by God as His special possession, appealing to His faithfulness to His own promises and His commitment to His people, despite their failures.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 63:17 is rich in literary techniques that amplify its emotional and theological weight. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("O LORD, why hast thou made us to err... and hardened our heart?"), which expresses deep anguish, confusion, and a challenge to divine providence, rather than seeking a literal answer. This form of questioning is characteristic of biblical **Lament**, a genre that allows for honest, even confrontational, dialogue with God in times of suffering. The verse also employs **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "hardened our heart," attributing to God an action that might otherwise be understood as a consequence of human will or divine judgment. This reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God's ultimate sovereignty over all aspects of human experience, including spiritual states. Furthermore, the use of **Parallelism** in "made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear" links the acts of straying and spiritual insensitivity as two facets of the same spiritual decline. The concluding appeal, "Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance," uses **Appeals to Identity and Relationship**, reminding God of His covenant bond with Israel as His chosen people and possession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 63:17 encapsulates a profound theological tension concerning divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a theme woven throughout biblical theology. While the lament questions God's role in their spiritual hardening, it simultaneously underscores the desperate human need for divine grace and intervention. It highlights that even in their deepest spiritual decline, Israel's hope rests not in their own merit but in God's unchanging covenant faithfulness and His identity as the God of their "inheritance." This verse sets the stage for a deeper understanding of God's justice and mercy, demonstrating that even when His people stray, He remains the ultimate source of restoration and hope, and their only recourse is to appeal to His character. The lament ultimately points to the necessity of God's active work in softening hearts and drawing people back to Himself, acknowledging that true spiritual vitality is a gift from Him.

* [Exodus 4:21](/exodus/4-21 "Exodus 4:21 - God Hardening Pharaoh's Heart")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant and God's Law on Hearts")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 63:17 offers a powerful paradigm for contemporary believers facing spiritual struggles or seasons of perceived divine distance. It validates the practice of honest lament, encouraging us to bring our deepest questions, doubts, and even accusations before God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our raw emotions and sincere struggles. When we feel our hearts have grown cold, our spiritual walk has strayed, or our reverence for God has diminished, this verse serves as a profound reminder to cry out to Him. It teaches us to appeal not to our own righteousness, but to His unchanging character, His covenant love, and our identity as His children and His inheritance. Our hope for spiritual renewal and restoration always lies in His willingness to "Return" to us, to soften our hearts, and to draw us back into His ways. It is a call to humility, acknowledging our dependence on His grace for spiritual vitality and perseverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel you have "erred from God's ways" or that your "heart has hardened from His fear"?**
* **How comfortable are you bringing your honest laments and difficult questions to God in prayer?**
* **What does it mean to appeal to God as "thy servants" and "the tribes of thine inheritance" in your own prayer life today?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility in spiritual matters?**

### FAQ

**Does Isaiah 63:17 imply that God actively causes people to sin or hardens their hearts against their will?**

Answer: This verse is a lament, not a systematic theological treatise. While it rhetorically attributes Israel's spiritual decline ("made us to err," "hardened our heart") to God, it's crucial to understand this within the context of biblical thought on divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The Hebrew concept often implies God's permissive will or a judicial act where He allows or delivers people over to the consequences of their persistent rebellion. For instance, in [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Up"), God "gives them up" to their desires, which is a form of judgment. God does not tempt people to sin ([James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God Does Not Tempt")), but He can, in His righteous judgment, allow hearts to become unresponsive as a consequence of prolonged disobedience. The lament in Isaiah 63:17 is the cry of a people struggling to comprehend their spiritual state and appealing to God's ultimate control, even over their own spiritual apathy, in a desperate plea for Him to reverse it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 63:17, with its poignant lament and desperate plea for God's return and the softening of a hardened heart, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The very "ways" from which Israel erred are perfectly embodied in Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way")). The hardening of hearts, a consequence of sin and a barrier to God's "fear," is overcome through the new covenant established in Christ's blood. Where the old covenant could only reveal sin and the inability of human hearts to consistently follow God's ways, the new covenant promises a radical transformation: God Himself will "put my laws into their mind, and write them on their hearts" ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Promise")). The "return" that Israel so desperately sought is realized in the incarnation of Christ, God dwelling among His people ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and in the sending of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and empowers them to walk in God's ways ([Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - God's Spirit in New Hearts")). Furthermore, the "tribes of thine inheritance" now expands to include all who are in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, who become God's "peculiar people" and "a royal priesthood" through His redemptive work ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - God's Chosen People")). Thus, the lament of Isaiah 63:17, while expressing a profound human spiritual struggle, ultimately points to the divine solution found only in the person and work of Jesus, who makes possible the very spiritual renewal and intimate relationship with God that Israel longed 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

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Joshua 11:20

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Ezekiel 14:7

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Ezekiel 14:9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Deuteronomy 2:30

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as [appeareth] this day.

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Numbers 10:36

And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.