King James Version

What Does Isaiah 26:10 Mean?

Isaiah 26:10 in the King James Version says “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustl...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.”

Isaiah 26:10 · KJV

Context

8

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

9

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

10

Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

11

LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. at: or, toward thy people

12

LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. in us: or, for us

Read Isaiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD." This verse provides sobering contrast to verse 9—while some learn righteousness through God's judgments, the wicked remain unteachable even when shown favor. "Let favour be shewed to the wicked" (יֻחַן רָשָׁע/yuchan rasha)—yuchan means to be shown favor, given grace, treated mercifully. Rasha is the wicked, ungodly, morally wrong person. Even when God extends undeserved kindness, "yet will he not learn righteousness" (בַּל־לָמַד צֶדֶק/bal-lamad tzedeq)—bal is a strong negative (not, never). The wicked refuse to learn (lamad) righteousness (tzedeq) despite favorable conditions.

"In the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly" (בְּאֶרֶץ נְכֹחוֹת יְעַוֵּל/be'eretz nekhochot ye'awwel)—even when placed in eretz nekhochot (a land of uprightness, straightness, equity), the wicked ye'awwel (deals unjustly, acts perversely). The environment doesn't determine the heart. Surrounded by righteousness, the wicked still choose wickedness. "And will not behold the majesty of the LORD" (וּבַל־יִרְאֶה גֵּאוּת יְהוָה/uval-yireh ge'ut YHWH)—bal-yireh (will not see) indicates willful blindness. Ge'ut means majesty, glory, excellence, exaltation. The wicked refuse to see God's glory even when manifested. This is judicial hardening—the settled refusal to acknowledge God despite abundant evidence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah witnessed this pattern repeatedly. King Ahaz refused to trust God despite miraculous signs offered (Isaiah 7:10-13). Israel experienced God's blessings during prosperous times but plunged deeper into idolatry and injustice. Pharaoh's hardened heart despite ten plagues exemplified this (Exodus 7-12). Jesus later confronted the same problem: "Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him" (John 12:37). Paul describes this judicial hardening in Romans 1:18-32—repeated rejection of truth leads to God giving people over to their chosen blindness. This warns that grace can be resisted to the point of no return.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge the assumption that improved circumstances or more evidence will convince unbelievers?
  2. What is the difference between those who 'learn righteousness' from God's judgments (v.9) and the wicked who won't learn despite favor (v.10)?
  3. In what areas might you be experiencing God's favor while still dealing unjustly or refusing to see His majesty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
יֻחַ֤ן1 of 12

“Let favour be shewed”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

רָשָׁע֙2 of 12

“to the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

וּבַל3 of 12

“and will not”

H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

לָמַ֣ד4 of 12

“learn”

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

צֶ֔דֶק5 of 12

“righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ6 of 12

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נְכֹח֖וֹת7 of 12

“of uprightness”

H5229

properly, straightforwardness, i.e., (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth

יְעַוֵּ֑ל8 of 12

“will he deal unjustly”

H5765

to distort (morally)

וּבַל9 of 12

“and will not”

H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִרְאֶ֖ה10 of 12

“behold”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

גֵּא֥וּת11 of 12

“the majesty”

H1348

the same as h1346

יְהוָֽה׃12 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 26:10 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 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 5:37-38Hosea 11:7Romans 2:4-5Ecclesiastes 3:16Exodus 8:31-32Revelation 2:21

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