Isaiah 1:21
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
Original Language Analysis
הָיְתָ֣ה
H1961
הָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְזוֹנָ֔ה
become an harlot
H2181
לְזוֹנָ֔ה
become an harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
3 of 12
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
נֶאֱמָנָ֑ה
How is the faithful
H539
נֶאֱמָנָ֑ה
How is the faithful
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
מְלֵאֲתִ֣י
it was full
H4392
מְלֵאֲתִ֣י
it was full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
6 of 12
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
of judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
of judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
צֶ֛דֶק
righteousness
H6664
צֶ֛דֶק
righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
8 of 12
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
יָלִ֥ין
lodged
H3885
יָלִ֥ין
lodged
Strong's:
H3885
Word #:
9 of 12
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
וְעַתָּ֥ה
H6258
Historical Context
Jerusalem, established by David and sanctified by Solomon's temple, was chosen as God's dwelling place. Its transformation into a center of injustice represents profound covenant betrayal.
Questions for Reflection
- How can a community move from faithfulness to spiritual harlotry?
- What safeguards protect the church from similar moral decline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The lament personifies Jerusalem as a harlot, employing marital imagery for covenant infidelity (cf. Hosea 1-3). Once 'faithful' (Hebrew 'ne'eman'—steadfast, reliable), Jerusalem now teems with murderers instead of righteousness. This stark contrast between past fidelity and present apostasy highlights the depth of moral decline. The metaphor anticipates the New Testament church as Christ's bride, called to purity and faithfulness (Ephesians 5:25-27).