Isaiah 59:14
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Original Language Analysis
אָחוֹר֙
backward
H268
אָחוֹר֙
backward
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
2 of 14
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט
And judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט
And judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וּצְדָקָ֖ה
and justice
H6666
וּצְדָקָ֖ה
and justice
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
4 of 14
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
מֵרָח֣וֹק
afar off
H7350
מֵרָח֣וֹק
afar off
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
5 of 14
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
תַּעֲמֹ֑ד
standeth
H5975
תַּעֲמֹ֑ד
standeth
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
6 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָשְׁלָ֤ה
is fallen
H3782
כָשְׁלָ֤ה
is fallen
Strong's:
H3782
Word #:
8 of 14
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
אֱמֶ֔ת
for truth
H571
אֱמֶ֔ת
for truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
10 of 14
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
וּנְכֹחָ֖ה
and equity
H5229
וּנְכֹחָ֖ה
and equity
Strong's:
H5229
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, straightforwardness, i.e., (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Habakkuk 1:4Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.Isaiah 5:23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!Isaiah 1:21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Ecclesiastes 3:16And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.Isaiah 59:4None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.Amos 5:7Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,
Historical Context
Streets and gates were where justice was administered in ancient Israel. When truth falls there, society collapses. This depicts utter moral breakdown.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it look like when truth 'falls in the street' in modern society?
- How can equity be restored where it has been blocked from entering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.' Personified virtues are in retreat: judgment turns back, justice stands distant, truth has fallen, equity is barred entry. The Hebrew 'nagas' (approach/enter) shows equity blocked from the public square.