Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Therefore the Lord {H136} shall have no joy {H8055} in their young men {H970}, neither shall have mercy {H7355} on their fatherless {H3490} and widows {H490}: for every one is an hypocrite {H2611} and an evildoer {H7489}, and every mouth {H6310} speaketh {H1696} folly {H5039}. For all this his anger {H639} is not turned away {H7725}, but his hand {H3027} is stretched out still {H5186}.

Therefore Adonai takes no joy in their young men and has no compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone is ungodly and does evil, every mouth speaks foolishly. Even after all this, his anger remains, his upraised hand still threatens.

Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Commentary

Isaiah 9:17 is a solemn declaration of God's judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) due to their deep-seated corruption and refusal to repent. It continues a series of pronouncements detailing the severe consequences of their persistent rebellion.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle in Isaiah chapters 9 and 10, which describes the severe judgment awaiting Israel. The phrase "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still" acts as a recurring refrain (Isaiah 9:12, 9:21, 10:4), emphasizing the unwavering nature of God's wrath in response to their unyielding sin. The preceding verses depict military defeat and internal strife, yet the people remained defiant, leading to this further intensification of divine displeasure against a nation steeped in spiritual and moral decay.

Key Themes

  • Widespread Moral Decay: The verse highlights that the problem is not isolated; "every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly." This indicates a pervasive moral corruption that has infected all levels of society, from leaders to the common person.
  • Withdrawal of Divine Mercy: God declares He will have "no joy in their young men" and "neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows." This is particularly striking because the Old Testament law often emphasizes God's special care for these vulnerable groups. The withdrawal of mercy signifies the extreme nature of Israel's apostasy, where even those typically deserving of compassion are caught in the general judgment due to the nation's overwhelming sin.
  • Persistent Divine Anger: The concluding phrase underscores that despite all the calamities they have faced, God's anger remains unabated. Their actions have solidified His judgment, indicating that the punishment is far from over and will continue until His purposes are fulfilled.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "hypocrite" here is chaneph (Χ—ΦΈΧ Φ΅Χ£), which carries a stronger meaning than mere pretense. It often refers to someone who is "godless," "profane," or "impious," indicating a deep moral corruption and alienation from God.
  • "Folly" translates the Hebrew nevalah (Χ Φ°Χ‘ΦΈΧœΦΈΧ”), which is more than simple foolishness. It denotes moral depravity, disgraceful behavior, and a senseless rejection of divine wisdom and proper conduct.

Practical Application

Isaiah 9:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the serious consequences of persistent sin and hypocrisy. It teaches us that:

  • God's Justice is Real: While God is merciful and long-suffering, His justice is equally true. When a society or individual refuses to repent and embraces widespread corruption, divine judgment is inevitable.
  • Sin's Pervasive Impact: The corruption described affects all segments of society, even the seemingly innocent. Our actions, whether individual or collective, have far-reaching consequences that can impact future generations and societal well-being.
  • Call to Sincere Repentance: The contrast implied is the mercy and joy God *would* have if people genuinely turned from their wicked ways. This verse indirectly calls for a sincere turning from hypocrisy and evil towards true righteousness, a vital theme central to the Old and New Testaments for both individuals and nations.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 18:21

    Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their [blood] by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and [be] widows; and let their men be put to death; [let] their young men [be] slain by the sword in battle.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Isaiah 5:25

    Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Isaiah 27:11

    When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

  • Isaiah 9:12

    The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Matthew 12:34

    O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

  • Isaiah 9:21

    Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.
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