Isaiah 32:7
The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
Original Language Analysis
כֵּלָ֣יו
The instruments
H3627
כֵּלָ֣יו
The instruments
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
2 of 13
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
ה֚וּא
H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְחַבֵּ֤ל
to destroy
H2254
לְחַבֵּ֤ל
to destroy
Strong's:
H2254
Word #:
7 of 13
to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e., to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of partur
עֲנִוִּים֙
H6035
עֲנִוִּים֙
Strong's:
H6035
Word #:
8 of 13
depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)
שֶׁ֔קֶר
with lying
H8267
שֶׁ֔קֶר
with lying
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
10 of 13
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
וּבְדַבֵּ֥ר
speaketh
H1696
וּבְדַבֵּ֥ר
speaketh
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Historical Context
Biblical law protected the poor, widow, orphan, and sojourner (Exodus 22:21-24, Deuteronomy 24:17-22). Yet corrupt judges took bribes, perverted justice (Isaiah 1:23, Micah 3:11). Legal systems meant to protect became tools of oppression. Jesus faced this: Sanhedrin used legal proceedings to crucify the innocent. Throughout history, the powerful have weaponized law, economics, and propaganda to crush the vulnerable who speak truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How do modern systems (legal, economic, political) get weaponized to 'destroy the poor with lying words'?
- What 'wicked devices' do the powerful employ to silence those speaking justice?
- How can you stand with 'the needy who speak right' even when it's costly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The instruments also of the churl are evil (וְכֵלַי כֵּלָיו רָעִים, vekhelay kelayv ra'im)—the כֵּלִי (keli, instruments, tools, weapons) of the כִּילַי (kilay, churl, miser) are רַע (ra, evil). He deviseth wicked devices (הוּא זִמּוֹת יָעָץ, hu zimmot ya'ats)—he plans זִמָּה (zimmah, wicked schemes, evil plots). To destroy the poor with lying words (לְחַבֵּל עֲנָוִים בְּאִמְרֵי־שֶׁקֶר, lechabvel anawim be'imrey-sheqer)—to חָבַל (chaval, ruin, destroy) the עֲנָוִים (anawim, poor, afflicted) with אִמְרֵי־שֶׁקֶר (imrey-sheqer, words of falsehood). Even when the needy speaketh right (וּבְדַבֵּר אֶבְיוֹן מִשְׁפָּט, uvedaber evyon mishpat)—even when the אֶבְיוֹן (evyon, needy) speaks מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, justice, what is right).
The churl weaponizes language and legal systems against vulnerable people. His 'instruments' (כֵּלִים, kelim) could be literal tools (false scales) or metaphorical (lies, manipulation, legal trickery). He schemes (זִמָּה, zimmah) deliberately—this isn't accidental oppression but calculated exploitation. Most perversely, he silences those speaking מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, justice)—using lies to destroy the righteous claims of the poor. Proverbs 17:23 condemns: 'A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.'