Isaiah 1:17
Isaiah 1:17 in Multiple Translations
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Take pleasure in well-doing; let your ways be upright, keep down the cruel, give a right decision for the child who has no father, see to the cause of the widow.
Learn to do good; strive for justice, condemn those who oppress others; support the rights of orphans, take up cases to defend widows.
Learne to doe well: seeke iudgement, relieue the oppressed: iudge the fatherlesse and defend the widowe.
Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
Learn to do things that are good! Try to cause people to do what is just. Help people who are ◄oppressed/treated cruelly►. Defend orphans and widows when people take them to court.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 1:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 1:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לִמְד֥וּ
הֵיטֵ֛ב
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
אַשְּׁר֣וּ
חָמ֑וֹץ
שִׁפְט֣וּ
יָת֔וֹם
רִ֖יבוּ
אַלְמָנָֽה
לִמְד֥וּ
lâmad
H3925
to learn
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
הֵיטֵ֛ב
yâṭab
H3190
be good
V-Hiphil-Ptc
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ
dârash
H1875
to seek
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms
אַשְּׁר֣וּ
ʼâshar
H833
to bless
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
חָמ֑וֹץ
châmôwts
H2541
oppression
N-ms
שִׁפְט֣וּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
יָת֔וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
N-ms
רִ֖יבוּ
rîyb
H7378
to contend
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אַלְמָנָֽה
ʼalmânâh
H490
widow
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 1:17
לִמְד֥וּ
lâmad
H3925
"to learn"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To learn or teach in the Bible means to guide someone, like using a rod to direct an animal. It is about instructing or training someone, as seen in Proverbs and Psalms. Teaching is an important theme in the Bible.
Definition: : teach 1) to learn. teach, exercise in 1a) (Qal) to learn 1b) (Piel) to teach 1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: (un-) accustomed, [idiom] diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -ing). See also: Deuteronomy 4:1; Psalms 119:66; Psalms 18:35.
הֵיטֵ֛ב
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
דִּרְשׁ֥וּ
dârash
H1875
"to seek"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To seek or ask is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe seeking God or worshiping him. It can also mean to investigate or enquire about something.
Definition: 1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) 1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a2a) of God 1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers 1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a3a) God 1a3b) heathen deities 1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require 1a5) to investigate, enquire 1a6) to ask for, require, demand 1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application 1a8) to seek with care, care for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) 1b2) to be sought, be sought out 1b3) to be required (of blood)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 9:5; Ezra 10:16; Psalms 9:11.
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
אַשְּׁר֣וּ
ʼâshar
H833
"to bless"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To bless means to make someone happy or content. In the Bible, it can also mean to guide or lead someone in the right direction, like in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress 1a)(Qal) to go straight on, make progress 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to go straight on, advance 1b2) to lead on (causative) 1b3) to set right, righten 1b4) to pronounce happy, call blessed 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be advanced, be led on 1c2) to be made happy, be blessed
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (call, be) bless(-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve. See also: Genesis 30:13; Proverbs 23:19; Psalms 41:3.
חָמ֑וֹץ
châmôwts
H2541
"oppression"
N-ms
This word means oppression or a robber, implying violence. It describes someone who takes advantage of others by force. The KJV Bible translates it as oppressed.
Definition: the oppressor, the ruthless
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: oppressed. See also: Isaiah 1:17.
שִׁפְט֣וּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
יָת֔וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
רִ֖יבוּ
rîyb
H7378
"to contend"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to argue or contend with someone, like in a lawsuit or a heated debate. It is used in various forms, such as physically fighting or verbally complaining. This concept appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) to strive, contend 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to strive 1a1a) physically 1a1b) with words 1a2) to conduct a case or suit (legal), sue 1a3) to make complaint 1a4) to quarrel 1b) (Hiphil) to contend against
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. See also: Genesis 26:20; Job 40:2; Psalms 35:1.
אַלְמָנָֽה
ʼalmânâh
H490
"widow"
N-fs
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, often left alone and vulnerable. The Bible teaches care and compassion for widows, as seen in the stories of Ruth and Naomi. God commands his people to look out for them.
Definition: widow
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: desolate house (palace), widow. See also: Genesis 38:11; Job 29:13; Psalms 68:6.
Study Notes — Isaiah 1:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 1:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:17
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
- Sermons on Isaiah 1:17
Context — Meaningless Offerings
15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
16Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
17Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micah 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? |
| 2 | Jeremiah 22:3 | This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. |
| 3 | Psalms 82:3–4 | Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:23 | Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. |
| 5 | Proverbs 31:9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 6 | Zechariah 7:9–10 | “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ |
| 7 | Zechariah 8:16 | These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, |
| 8 | Jeremiah 22:15–16 | Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. |
| 9 | Daniel 4:27 | Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” |
| 10 | Zephaniah 2:3 | Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. |
Isaiah 1:17 Summary
[Isaiah 1:17 teaches us to learn what is right and to do it, which means studying God's word and following His commands, as seen in Psalm 119:105. It also tells us to seek justice, defend those who cannot defend themselves, and care for the needy, like the fatherless and widows, as Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46. By doing so, we reflect God's love and character, and we demonstrate our love for Him and our neighbors. As we obey this verse, we can trust that God will guide and empower us, as promised in Isaiah 41:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'learn to do right' in Isaiah 1:17?
To 'learn to do right' means to study and practice God's commands and will, as seen in Psalm 119:66, and to seek a heart of obedience, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 10:12-13. It is a call to align our actions with God's word and character.
Why is seeking justice and correcting the oppressor important in this verse?
Seeking justice and correcting the oppressor is crucial because it reflects God's heart for the vulnerable, as seen in Exodus 22:22-24 and Deuteronomy 27:19. It demonstrates our love for God and our neighbors, as taught in Matthew 22:37-40.
How can we defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow as mentioned in Isaiah 1:17?
Defending the fatherless and pleading the case of the widow involves advocating for their rights, providing for their needs, and treating them with kindness and respect, as instructed in James 1:27 and Exodus 22:22-24. This can be done through volunteering, donating to organizations that support them, and being a voice for them in our communities.
Is this verse only for Israelites or does it apply to all believers?
While Isaiah 1:17 was originally addressed to the Israelites, its principles apply to all believers, as we are all called to live justly and love our neighbors, as taught in Micah 6:8 and Luke 10:25-37. We are to reflect God's character in our actions and treatment of others, regardless of our cultural or national background.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can 'learn to do right' in my daily life, and how can I prioritize seeking God's will and commands?
- How can I identify and correct oppression in my community, and what role can I play in seeking justice for the marginalized?
- What are some practical ways I can defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow in my community, and how can I involve my church or family in this effort?
- How does my treatment of the vulnerable reflect my relationship with God, and what changes can I make to better demonstrate God's love and character?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well,.... Which men are naturally ignorant of; to do good they have no knowledge; nor can they that are accustomed to do evil learn to do well of themselves; but the Lord can teach them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Seek judgment - justice, as magistrates, instead of seeking bribes (Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 22:16).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well; begin and inure yourselves to live soberly, righteously, and godly. Seek judgment; show your religion to God, by studying and practising justice to men, and neither give nor procure any unrighteous judgment. Relieve the oppressed; be not only just, but merciful. Judge the fatherless; defend and deliver them, as this word is used, ,11 9:4, and oft elsewhere. Plead for the widow; maintain the righteous cause of poor and helpless persons, against their unjust and potent adversaries; whereby you will show your love to justice and mercy, and that you fear God more than men.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.Ver. 17. Learn to do well.] Turn over a new leaf, take out a new lesson. "Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest God’ s soul depart from thee." Deliver thyself wholly up to his discipline; religion is the best learning - Philosophia sacra; to know Christ and him crucified is as much as St Paul cared for; Deum cognoscere et colere to know and honour God, is the whole duty of man; add this to the former. Negative goodness profiteth not. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, &c.] Look to the duties of the second table, those of your own particular places especially; exercise your general calling in your particular, and think not to set off with God by your sacrifices for your oppressions: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." Primo praecepto reliquorum omnium observantia praecipitur, saith Luther. All God’ s laws were in David’ s sight, all his ways in God’ s sight. What a good justicer and householder both he was, see Psalms 101:1-8 Relieve the oppressed.] Heb., Righten the soured or leavened. Judge the fatherless; plead for the widow.] These are God’ s own clients.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
(17) Relieve the oppressed.—More accurately, correct the oppressor. The prophet calls on the rulers not merely to acts of benevolence, but to the courageous exercise of their authority to restrain the wrong-doing of the men of their own order. We are reminded of what Shakespeare says of Time, that it is his work— “To wrong the wronger till he render right.” (Rape of Lucrece.) Judge the fatherless.—The words are still primarily addressed to men in office. They are told that they must be true to their calling, and that the “fatherless” and the “widow,” as the typical instances of the defenceless, ought to find an advocate in the judge.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
Verse 17. Relieve the oppressed - "Amend that which is corrupted"] אשרו חמוץ asheru chamots. In rendering this obscure phrase I follow Bochart, (Hieroz. Part i., lib. ii., cap. 7.,) though I am not perfectly satisfied with this explication of it.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:17
17. relieve the oppressed] E.V. seems here to follow the LXX. The Hebrew must be translated set right the oppressor (R.V. marg.)—restrain him within the bounds of justice. fatherless … widow] those who have no natural protectors, and are always exposed to wrong when the administration of justice is weak or corrupt (cf. Isaiah 1:23; ch. Isaiah 10:2). To defend such is specially the duty of the judge, but it is also an obligation lying on every one who has influence in the community. The prophet addresses his hearers (“rulers” and “people” Isaiah 1:10) as members of the state; and his demand is that by “seeking judgment” they shall exercise the fundamental virtue of citizenship. The righteousness which he requires is social righteousness, iustitia civilis, a public life so ordered as to secure for each individual his personal rights. The prophets’ passion for justice is always inspired by a deep sense of the value of the human personality in the sight of God.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well - , To learn here is to become accustomed to, to practice it. To do well stands opposed to all kinds of evil. “Seek judgment.” The word “judgment” - משׁפט mishpâṭ - here means justice.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:17
17. Seek judgment — Better, the concrete word, justice. As rulers and magistrates they had sought bribes rather than to do justice.
Sermons on Isaiah 1:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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What Is Prophetic? - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being prepared to preach the word of God. He reflects on the example of Moses and the depth of God's dealing with him durin |
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Integrity: Prosperity Gospel by Femi Adeley by Femi Adeleye | This sermon addresses the dangers and misconceptions of the prosperity gospel, highlighting how it can lead to materialism, misinterpretation of Scripture, and a focus on personal |
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God's Wrath and His Love by Steve Hill | This sermon delves into a courtroom battle where the verdict is about to be delivered, highlighting the consequences of sin and the need for God's mercy through the blood of Jesus. |
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Missions, Poverty and Children - Part 1 by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of valuing and caring for children, highlighting how Jesus welcomed and blessed them, showing their significance in the Kingdom of God. It sha |
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No Longer a Slum Dog - New Book by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon by K.P. Yohannan, President of Gospel for Asia, focuses on the plight and suffering of children, particularly the Dalit community in India and neighboring nations. He s |
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William Booth Recording (Audio Restored) by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the various struggles and hardships faced by different groups of people in society. He mentions the unemployed, criminals, and women engaged |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 3 by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding properly to God's call, highlighting the consequences of improper responses seen in various biblical examples. It discusses the |