Isaiah 57 17

Isaiah 57:17 kjv

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

Isaiah 57:17 nkjv

For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

Isaiah 57:17 niv

I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways.

Isaiah 57:17 esv

Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.

Isaiah 57:17 nlt

I was angry,
so I punished these greedy people.
I withdrew from them,
but they kept going on their own stubborn way.

Isaiah 57 verses

Isaiah 57 17 meaning

Isaiah 57:17 declares God's righteous indignation and judgment upon His people due to their persistent sin, specifically highlighting covetousness. God expresses that because of their profound guilt arising from unjust gain, He became angry and brought affliction upon them. As a further consequence, He withdrew His presence and protection. Despite this divine discipline and evident displeasure, the people remained unrepentant, stubbornly continuing on their self-chosen, rebellious path dictated by their hardened hearts. The verse portrays the cycle of Israel's sin, God's just response, and their unyielding resistance.

Isaiah 57 17 Context

Isaiah chapter 57 sharply condemns the rampant idolatry and moral corruption prevalent in Judah, particularly in the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. The chapter details the people's engagement in detestable practices, including child sacrifice, consulting mediums, and offering sacrifices in groves—a stark violation of the covenant. They had abandoned the LORD for foreign gods and self-serving rituals. Verse 17 fits within this overarching indictment by revealing the reason for God's severe judgment. The nation's spiritual apostasy was intrinsically linked to deep-seated social injustices and a greed-driven mentality (covetousness). This sin alienated them from God, leading to His withdrawal and a state of national decline, including the experience of exile. Despite the intense judgment described, the following verses (18-19) immediately pivot to God's compassionate nature, expressing His ultimate desire to heal and bring peace to the penitent, revealing His complex attributes of justice and mercy.

Isaiah 57 17 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces the divine explanation or justification for God's actions. It signifies "because" or "for this reason," connecting His wrath and judgment directly to the preceding discussion of the people's sinful state.
• the iniquity (עֲוֺן - ʿavon): More than just an act of sin, ʿavon encompasses the guilt, depravity, and moral twistedness associated with wrongdoing, often highlighting the personal fault and responsibility. It suggests a deep-seated spiritual flaw, not merely an isolated transgression.
• of his covetousness (בֶּ֫צַע - betsaʿ): This significant term refers to illicit gain, unjust profit, or greedy opportunism. It signifies a voracious appetite for material wealth, often at the expense of others through oppression or deceit. This goes beyond simple desire, indicating actions driven by unethical acquisition. Its inclusion pinpoints a specific and grievous moral failure underlying their apostasy.
• was I wroth (קָצַף - qatsaf): This verb denotes intense displeasure, rage, or indignation. It describes God's righteous and active anger against sin, reflecting His holiness and justice, which cannot tolerate moral evil.
• and smote him (הִכֵּה - hikkēh, Hiphil of nakah): To strike, wound, or afflict a blow. In this context, it signifies God's direct act of judgment, causing suffering or national calamity. It is a precise and intentional divine action in response to sin.
• I hid me (הִסְתַּרְתִּי - histartî, Hithpael of satar): God's act of withdrawing His visible presence, favor, protection, and communication. This is a severe form of divine judgment, leaving the people vulnerable and experiencing the absence of God's blessing, intended to prompt self-reflection and a return to Him.
• and was wroth (וָאֶקְצֹף - vaʾeqṣof): The repetition of "wroth" emphasizes the duration and intensity of God's anger. It indicates a sustained displeasure, not a fleeting emotion, reflecting the persistence of their sin.
• and he went on frowardly (וַיָּשֻׁב שׁוֹבָב - vayyashuv shovav): The verb shuv means "to turn," and shovav means "backsliding" or "rebellious." This phrase powerfully conveys the people's stubborn refusal to repent. They did not simply lapse; they actively continued in a rebellious, disobedient, and unrepentant course.
• in the way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): Signifies a path, a course of life, a chosen manner of conduct or lifestyle. It indicates the consistent trajectory of their actions.
• of his heart (לִבּוֹ - libbo): Refers to the inner person, the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. "His heart" signifies their inner inclination, their deepest desires, their stubborn resolve, which was set against God's will and determined to pursue their own chosen sinful path.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth": This phrase directly establishes a causal link between God's wrath and a specific, severe sin. It highlights that God's anger is not arbitrary but a just response to the profound moral guilt associated with exploitation and unjust gain.
• "and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth": This passage presents a multi-faceted divine judgment. "Smote him" indicates direct, active punishment. "I hid me" adds a layer of passive judgment—withdrawal of blessing and protection, a profound spiritual consequence. The repeated "was wroth" underscores the depth and continuation of God's indignation.
• "and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart": This climactic phrase highlights humanity's obstinate resistance. Despite experiencing God's anger and judgment (both active smiting and passive withdrawal), the people defiantly continued in their chosen, self-centered, and rebellious lifestyle, showing no inclination to repent or turn back to God's path.

Isaiah 57 17 Bonus section

The concept of God "hiding His face" (Hebrew: hester panim) is a significant theological motif throughout the Old Testament. It signifies more than just physical absence; it denotes the removal of divine favor, blessing, protection, and intimate communion. For a covenant people, the visible manifestation of God's presence was synonymous with prosperity and well-being. Its withdrawal, therefore, was a profound and existentially frightening experience, leading to feelings of abandonment, vulnerability, and desolation (cf. Psa 13:1, "How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?"). The fact that the people still continued in their stubborn ways despite this deeply felt divine absence highlights the profound depravity and unresponsiveness of the unrepentant heart. This dynamic sets a stark backdrop against which the Lord's subsequent offer of healing and peace (Isa 57:18-19) shines as an even greater demonstration of His boundless grace. The use of "his" in "his covetousness" and "his heart" personalizes the sin and highlights individual culpability within the collective transgression.

Isaiah 57 17 Commentary

Isaiah 57:17 presents a powerful portrayal of God's righteous governance, detailing the precise mechanism and profound reasons behind His judgment. God, whose holiness cannot endure unpunished evil, explains His wrath not as an uncontrolled outburst but as a direct, just response to Israel's betsaʿ—their deep-seated, exploitative covetousness. This was no minor transgression but an "iniquity" (ʿavon), implying systemic moral corruption. The dual nature of His judgment—active punishment ("smote him") and passive withdrawal ("I hid me")—reveals both His executive justice and His loving discipline, aiming to bring His people to their senses through the absence of His favor. Yet, the human heart's capacity for stubborn rebellion is equally pronounced. Despite experiencing such severe divine displeasure, "he went on frowardly in the way of his heart." This highlights the human will's persistent, self-willed direction away from God, prioritizing personal sinful desires over divine calls for repentance. The verse beautifully sets the stage for God's ultimate intention in the subsequent verses: though judgment is necessary, His underlying desire is to heal and restore.Example: A child warned of consequences for repeatedly touching a hot stove, continues to do so and gets burned, then defiantly seeks other dangerous objects. The parent's "wrath" (correction) and "hiding" (withholding access) are not capricious but proportional to the act and its potential for greater harm.