Isaiah 32 6

Isaiah 32:6 kjv

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 nkjv

For the foolish person will speak foolishness, And his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, To utter error against the LORD, To keep the hungry unsatisfied, And he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

Isaiah 32:6 niv

For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.

Isaiah 32:6 esv

For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink.

Isaiah 32:6 nlt

For fools speak foolishness
and make evil plans.
They practice ungodliness
and spread false teachings about the LORD.
They deprive the hungry of food
and give no water to the thirsty.

Isaiah 32 verses

Isaiah 32 6 meaning

Isaiah 32:6 describes the characteristics and actions of the morally deficient "fool" (navál), highlighting their inner corruption and its outward manifestations. It states that their speech is filled with wickedness and foolishness, originating from a heart preoccupied with iniquity. Their purpose is to practice ungodliness and spread spiritual error against the LORD. Furthermore, their depravity is demonstrated through their neglect and active harm of the vulnerable, specifically by withholding basic provisions from the hungry and thirsty. This verse presents a stark contrast to the righteous reign previously described, emphasizing the moral decay that true righteousness must address and overcome.

Isaiah 32 6 Context

Isaiah chapter 32 is a prophecy of hope, contrasting the current desolate state of Judah with a future golden age under a righteous king. Verses 1-5 describe the blessings of this reign, where the king (understood as the Messiah) and his princes will rule righteously, providing protection, spiritual clarity, and insight. People's understanding will be transformed, and their speech and actions will be corrected.

Verse 6, along with verse 7, acts as a stark interruption to this vision of righteousness, depicting the antithesis of the coming age. It describes the character of the "fool" and the "schemer," representing the unrighteousness and spiritual blindness prevalent in Isaiah's contemporary society. This contrast emphasizes the need for the Messiah's rule to bring about genuine moral transformation. Historically, this prophecy was likely spoken during a time when Judah faced internal moral decay and external threats, where corrupt leaders and general societal sin contributed to its vulnerability, particularly before the Assyrian threat. The prophet uses this description to highlight the nature of sin that stands in opposition to God's ideal kingdom.

Isaiah 32 6 Word analysis

• For the fool (כִּ֤י נָבָל֙ - kiy navál):
  • navál (נָבָל): This Hebrew term goes beyond mere lack of intelligence. It signifies a person who is morally corrupt, ungodly, and despicable in character. It implies a deliberate disregard for God and moral standards, leading to unethical behavior.
  • Significance: In biblical thought, the "fool" is not intellectually challenged, but rather ethically depraved, one who rebels against God's wisdom (e.g., Psa 14:1, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'"). This sets the foundation for the entire verse.
• speaks folly (יְדַבֵּ֥ר נְבָלָ֖ה - yedaber nebaláh):
  • yedaber: From dāḇar (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak, to say, to declare." It refers to active verbal communication.
  • nebaláh (נְבָלָה): This is the noun form of 'navál', meaning "folly, villainy, disgraceful act, disgraceful deed." It specifically refers to the wicked substance of what is spoken.
  • Significance: The inner corruption of the "navál" finds expression in their speech. Their words are not just empty or ignorant; they are inherently wicked and morally bankrupt. This highlights a consistent character, where heart and mouth align.
• and his heart is busy with iniquity (וּלִבּוֹ֙ יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה אָ֔וֶן - u'libo ya'aseh 'āven):
  • u'libo: "And his heart." The "heart" (lēḇ/lēḇāḇ) in Hebrew thought is the center of one's entire being, including intellect, will, emotion, and moral decision-making.
  • ya'aseh: From ‘āśāh (עָשָׂה), meaning "to do, make, accomplish, perform." Here, "busy with" indicates an active, sustained engagement or occupation.
  • 'āven (אָוֶן): Meaning "iniquity, wickedness, trouble, sorrow, false dealing." It denotes evil acts, mischief, or unjust practices, often with a sense of malice or harmful intent.
  • Significance: This phrase reveals the internal source of the fool's actions and speech. Their "heart" is actively engaged in perpetrating wickedness; it is not accidental or unintentional. It signifies a premeditated and devoted commitment to evil, showing inner motivation and disposition.
• to practice ungodliness (לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת חֹ֗נֶף - la'asot chōnef):
  • la'asot: From ‘āśāh (עָשָׂה), "to do, practice." Reinforces active performance.
  • chōnef (חֹ֫נֶף): Meaning "ungodliness, profaneness, godless act." It describes an impious attitude and actions that violate God's sacred order and law. It implies corruption or defilement.
  • Significance: This specifies the nature of the "iniquity" – it is specifically aimed at defiling what is holy and disrespecting God. It indicates a systematic living in defiance of divine standards.
• and to utter error against the LORD (וּלְדַבֵּ֥ר אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה תּוֹעָֽה - ul'daber el-YHWH to'ah):
  • ul'daber: "And to speak."
  • el-YHWH: "Against the LORD." Directly specifies the target of their harmful speech. This is not merely human error but speech directly opposing or misrepresenting God.
  • to'ah (תֹעָה): Meaning "error, delusion, going astray, perverseness." It refers to doctrinal error, spiritual deception, or teaching that leads others away from truth.
  • Significance: This highlights the blasphemous and deceptive nature of the fool's speech. Their words are not merely foolish but lead people astray from God, demonstrating their spiritual blindness and actively undermining God's truth. This could imply false prophecy or spreading falsehoods about divine matters.
• to leave the hungry empty (לְהָרִ֣יק נֶ֣פֶשׁ רָעֵ֔ב - lehariq nefesh ra'ev):
  • lehariq: From hîq (הֵרִיק), meaning "to empty, to make empty." Here, it signifies depriving someone of what they need, leaving them devoid.
  • nefesh ra'ev: "The soul/person of the hungry." ra'ev (רָעֵב) means "hungry." "Nefesh" here is a common way to refer to the person or life.
  • Significance: This moves from abstract wickedness to concrete social injustice. The fool actively or passively neglects the basic human needs of the vulnerable. This action reveals a complete lack of compassion and disregard for God's laws concerning social justice and care for the poor.
• and deny the thirsty drink (וּמַשְׁקֵ֖ה צָמֵ֥א יַמְנִֽיעַ - u'mashqeh tzame ya'mni'a):
  • u'mashqeh: "And drink." Refers to that which is given for drinking.
  • tzame (צָמֵא): Meaning "thirsty."
  • yamni'a: From māna‘ (מָנַע), meaning "to deny, withhold, restrain, prevent." It implies an active act of refusal or prohibition.
  • Significance: This parallels the previous phrase, reinforcing the fool's active role in depriving others of life's necessities. It’s not just inaction but a willful denial, reflecting utter selfishness and moral callousness. It embodies a stark contrast to God's righteous king who would provide for his people.

Isaiah 32 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word navál (fool) in the Old Testament tradition, particularly in wisdom literature and the Psalms, carries a much stronger condemnation than a simple lack of intelligence. It is often synonymous with spiritual apostasy and moral depravity. The "navál" is someone who rejects God's authority and wisdom, lives as if God does not exist or does not matter, and consequently acts in a way that is utterly repugnant to divine order. This moral recklessness leads to the kind of harmful actions described in the latter half of the verse. This passage implicitly carries a polemic against those within society, perhaps even leaders or wealthy individuals, who professed piety but demonstrated their "folly" through injustice and disregard for God's commands regarding the poor and marginalized. It directly challenges any claim to righteousness not backed by a compassionate heart and just actions.

Isaiah 32 6 Commentary

Isaiah 32:6 offers a profound insight into the nature of spiritual and moral decay, presenting the "fool" not as intellectually inept, but as someone whose entire being is set against God and neighbor. The progression is significant: it begins with speech ("speaks folly") but immediately links it to the heart's intention ("his heart is busy with iniquity"). This demonstrates that evil speech and actions are not isolated incidents but spring from an inner disposition utterly devoted to wickedness.

The description then broadens to specific manifestations of this inward corruption: practicing "ungodliness" (defiance of divine principles) and uttering "error against the LORD" (spiritual deception or blasphemy). This highlights the dual nature of their offense—both a lifestyle of impiety and a verbal undermining of truth, making them dangerous spiritual influences.

Crucially, the verse culminates in the concrete, tangible harm they inflict on the most vulnerable members of society: "to leave the hungry empty, and deny the thirsty drink." This illustrates that true godliness, or its lack, is not merely theoretical but has direct social consequences. Neglecting the basic needs of others is presented as a definitive mark of the "fool" and their deep-seated iniquity. This connection between spiritual posture, verbal pronouncements, and practical care for the needy is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, underlining that genuine faith involves justice and compassion (cf. Matt 25:42-43; Jas 2:15-16). This verse serves as a foil to the righteous rule envisioned in the preceding verses, showing the moral darkness that the Messiah's light is meant to dispel.