King James Version

What Does Isaiah 9:17 Mean?

Isaiah 9:17 in the King James Version says “Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for ev... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. folly: or, villany

Isaiah 9:17 · KJV


Context

15

The ancient and honourable , he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

16

For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. the leaders: or, they that call them blessed led of: or, called blessed of destroyed: Heb. swallowed up

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. folly: or, villany

18

For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

19

Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. fuel: Heb. meat


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Universal corruption explains why God shows no mercy—even young men, orphans, and widows (normally protected classes) find no favor. 'Therefore' indicates logical consequence. 'Every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer' declares total corruption. 'Every mouth speaketh folly' shows sin's comprehensive nature—words reveal hearts (Matthew 12:34). The refrain returns: despite this judgment, God's anger continues and His hand remains stretched out. Even severe judgment hasn't accomplished repentance, necessitating further discipline.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By the late 8th century BC, northern Israel was thoroughly corrupt across all social classes. Archaeological evidence shows wealth disparity, exploitation of the poor, and syncretistic religion permeating society. Even widows and orphans—usually objects of divine protection—were corrupted. This comprehensive moral failure justified God's comprehensive judgment. Hosea and Amos also described this total societal corruption during the same period.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does societal corruption reach a point where even normally protected groups participate in evil?
  2. What does 'every mouth speaketh folly' teach about the relationship between speech and heart condition?
  3. When does God's patience with corporate sin reach its limit and judgment become inevitable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
עַל1 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֨ן2 of 29
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עַל3 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בַּחוּרָ֜יו4 of 29

in their young men

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

לֹֽא5 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשְׂמַ֣ח׀6 of 29

shall have no joy

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

אֲדֹנָ֗י7 of 29

Therefore the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

וְאֶת8 of 29
H853

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

יְתֹמָ֤יו9 of 29

on their fatherless

H3490

a bereaved person

וְאֶת10 of 29
H853

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

אַלְמְנוֹתָיו֙11 of 29

and widows

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

לֹ֣א12 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְרַחֵ֔ם13 of 29

neither shall have mercy

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

כִּ֤י14 of 29
H3588

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

כֻלּוֹ֙15 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חָנֵ֣ף16 of 29

for every one is an hypocrite

H2611

soiled (i.e., with sin), impious

וּמֵרַ֔ע17 of 29

and an evildoer

H7489

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

וְכָל18 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

פֶּ֖ה19 of 29

and every mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

דֹּבֵ֣ר20 of 29

speaketh

H1696

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

נְבָלָ֑ה21 of 29

folly

H5039

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

בְּכָל22 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זֹאת֙23 of 29
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לֹא24 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁ֣ב25 of 29

is not turned away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אַפּ֔וֹ26 of 29

For all this his anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְע֖וֹד27 of 29
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

יָד֥וֹ28 of 29

but his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נְטוּיָֽה׃29 of 29

is stretched out still

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)


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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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