King James Version

What Does Isaiah 32:6 Mean?

Isaiah 32:6 in the King James Version says “For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error agai...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.”

Isaiah 32:6 · KJV

Context

4

The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. rash: Heb. hasty plainly: or, elegantly

5

The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

6

For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

7

The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. the needy: or, he speaketh against the poor in judgment

8

But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. stand: or, be established

Read Isaiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the vile person will speak villany (כִּי נָבָל נְבָלָה יְדַבֵּר, ki naval nevalah yedaber)—the נָבָל (naval) speaks נְבָלָה (nevalah, foolishness, vileness, disgrace). And his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy (וְלִבּוֹ יַעֲשֶׂה־אָוֶן לַעֲשׂוֹת חֹנֶף, velibo ya'aseh-aven la'asot chonef)—his לֵב (lev, heart) works אָוֶן (aven, iniquity) to practice חֹנֶף (chonef, hypocrisy, godlessness). And to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry (וּלְדַבֵּר אֶל־יְהוָה תּוֹעָה לְהָרִיק נֶפֶשׁ רָעֵב, uledaber el-YHWH to'ah lehriq nefesh ra'ev). And he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail (וּמַשְׁקֵה צָמֵא יַחְסִיר, umashqeh tsame yachsir).

Isaiah exposes the vile person's true nature: speech reveals heart-wickedness. The progression moves from speech (speaks villainy) to motive (heart works iniquity) to religious hypocrisy (חֹנֶף, chonef) to theological error (utters תּוֹעָה, to'ah, error against God) to social cruelty (starving the hungry, denying drink to thirsty). Jesus denounced scribes and Pharisees with similar catalogs (Matthew 23)—outward religion masking inner corruption, using theology to oppress rather than liberate. James 1:27 defines pure religion: caring for widows and orphans—the opposite of this vile person's exploitation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern society depended on powerful people showing generosity to vulnerable populations. Leaders who hoarded resources while claiming piety violated covenant obligations. Amos 8:4-6 condemns merchants who exploited poor people. Jesus faced Pharisees who 'devour widows' houses' while making 'long prayers' (Mark 12:40). Throughout church history, corrupt clergy enriched themselves while parishioners starved—vileness disguised as godliness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you recognize vile people who use religious language while practicing oppression?
  2. What's the connection between theological error and social cruelty—how does bad doctrine lead to bad ethics?
  3. In what ways might you be tempted to practice 'hypocrisy'—religious externalism while harboring selfish motives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּ֤י1 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָבָל֙2 of 19

“For the vile person”

H5036

stupid; wicked (especially impious)

נְבָלָ֣ה3 of 19

“villany”

H5039

foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment

וּלְדַבֵּ֤ר4 of 19

“and to utter”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְלִבּ֖וֹ5 of 19

“and his heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת6 of 19

“to practise”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אָ֑וֶן7 of 19

“iniquity”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת8 of 19

“to practise”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֹ֗נֶף9 of 19

“hypocrisy”

H2612

moral filth, i.e., wickedness

וּלְדַבֵּ֤ר10 of 19

“and to utter”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל11 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָה֙12 of 19

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

תּוֹעָ֔ה13 of 19

“error”

H8442

mistake, i.e., (morally) impiety, or (political) injury

לְהָרִיק֙14 of 19

“to make empty”

H7324

to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty

נֶ֣פֶשׁ15 of 19

“the soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

רָעֵ֔ב16 of 19

“of the hungry”

H7457

hungry (more or less intensely)

וּמַשְׁקֶ֥ה17 of 19

“and he will cause the drink”

H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

צָמֵ֖א18 of 19

“of the thirsty”

H6771

thirsty (literally or figuratively)

יַחְסִֽיר׃19 of 19

“to fail”

H2637

to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

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 32:6 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 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 15:19Proverbs 11:24-26Matthew 23:131 Samuel 24:13Isaiah 3:15Acts 8:21-22

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 32 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes