King James Version

What Does Isaiah 1:4 Mean?

Isaiah 1:4 in the King James Version says “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken th... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. laden: Heb. of heaviness gone: Heb. alienated, or, separated

Isaiah 1:4 · KJV


Context

2

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

3

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

4

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. laden: Heb. of heaviness gone: Heb. alienated, or, separated

5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. revolt: Heb. increase revolt

6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. ointment: or, oil


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Four parallel descriptions intensify the portrait of Judah's corruption: sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, seed of evildoers, and corrupt children. The phrase 'Holy One of Israel' (qadosh Yisrael) appears 25 times in Isaiah, emphasizing God's transcendent purity in contrast to their defilement. The progressive verbs indicate complete apostasy: forsaken, provoked, and gone backward.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite outward religious observance, eighth-century Judah had absorbed Canaanite practices and social injustice, provoking divine judgment while trusting in political alliances rather than covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are there areas where you maintain religious appearances while harboring secret sins?
  2. How does understanding God's holiness affect your view of sin's seriousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
ה֣וֹי׀1 of 19

Ah

H1945

oh!

גּ֣וֹי2 of 19

nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

חֹטֵ֗א3 of 19

sinful

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

עַ֚ם4 of 19

a people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כֶּ֣בֶד5 of 19

laden

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

עָוֹ֔ן6 of 19

with iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

זֶ֣רַע7 of 19

a seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

מְרֵעִ֔ים8 of 19

of evildoers

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

בָּנִ֖ים9 of 19

children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מַשְׁחִיתִ֑ים10 of 19

that are corrupters

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

עָזְב֣וּ11 of 19

they have forsaken

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת12 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֗ה13 of 19

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נִֽאֲצ֛וּ14 of 19

they have provoked

H5006

to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom

אֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קְד֥וֹשׁ16 of 19

the Holy One

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל17 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נָזֹ֥רוּ18 of 19

they are gone away

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

אָחֽוֹר׃19 of 19

backward

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 1:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study