Isaiah 3:15
What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Original Language Analysis
מַלָּכֶם֙
H4100
מַלָּכֶם֙
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תְּדַכְּא֣וּ
What mean ye that ye beat
H1792
תְּדַכְּא֣וּ
What mean ye that ye beat
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
2 of 10
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
עַמִּ֔י
my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּפְנֵ֥י
the faces
H6440
וּפְנֵ֥י
the faces
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תִּטְחָ֑נוּ
and grind
H2912
תִּטְחָ֑נוּ
and grind
Strong's:
H2912
Word #:
6 of 10
to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)
Historical Context
The prophets consistently linked authentic covenant worship with economic justice. Ritual observance while oppressing the poor was spiritual hypocrisy (Isaiah 1:15-17; Amos 5:21-24).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might we 'grind the faces of the poor' through economic or social systems?
- How does God's ownership of 'my people' inform our treatment of the marginalized?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question 'What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?' employs violent imagery for economic exploitation. 'Grinding faces' suggests crushing, dehumanizing treatment. The possessive 'my people' emphasizes that oppressing the poor violates God's ownership and care for His covenant community. This reflects the principle that mistreatment of the vulnerable constitutes offense against God Himself (Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 25:40), anticipating Jesus' identification with 'the least of these.'