Isaiah 9:17
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֨ן
H3651
כֵּ֨ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּחוּרָ֜יו
in their young men
H970
בַּחוּרָ֜יו
in their young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
4 of 29
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׂמַ֣ח׀
shall have no joy
H8055
יִשְׂמַ֣ח׀
shall have no joy
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
6 of 29
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
אֲדֹנָ֗י
Therefore the Lord
H136
אֲדֹנָ֗י
Therefore the Lord
Strong's:
H136
Word #:
7 of 29
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְרַחֵ֔ם
neither shall have mercy
H7355
יְרַחֵ֔ם
neither shall have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
13 of 29
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֻלּוֹ֙
H3605
כֻלּוֹ֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חָנֵ֣ף
for every one is an hypocrite
H2611
חָנֵ֣ף
for every one is an hypocrite
Strong's:
H2611
Word #:
16 of 29
soiled (i.e., with sin), impious
וּמֵרַ֔ע
and an evildoer
H7489
וּמֵרַ֔ע
and an evildoer
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פֶּ֖ה
and every mouth
H6310
פֶּ֖ה
and every mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
19 of 29
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
דֹּבֵ֣ר
speaketh
H1696
דֹּבֵ֣ר
speaketh
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 29
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
נְבָלָ֑ה
folly
H5039
נְבָלָ֑ה
folly
Strong's:
H5039
Word #:
21 of 29
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
24 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁ֣ב
is not turned away
H7725
שָׁ֣ב
is not turned away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
25 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַפּ֔וֹ
For all this his anger
H639
אַפּ֔וֹ
For all this his anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
26 of 29
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְע֖וֹד
H5750
וְע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Isaiah 10:6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Jeremiah 18:21Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.Isaiah 9:12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 27:11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.Isaiah 10:4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Isaiah 9:21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Psalms 147:10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Historical Context
By the late 8th century BC, northern Israel was thoroughly corrupt across all social classes. Archaeological evidence shows wealth disparity, exploitation of the poor, and syncretistic religion permeating society. Even widows and orphans—usually objects of divine protection—were corrupted. This comprehensive moral failure justified God's comprehensive judgment. Hosea and Amos also described this total societal corruption during the same period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does societal corruption reach a point where even normally protected groups participate in evil?
- What does 'every mouth speaketh folly' teach about the relationship between speech and heart condition?
- When does God's patience with corporate sin reach its limit and judgment become inevitable?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Universal corruption explains why God shows no mercy—even young men, orphans, and widows (normally protected classes) find no favor. 'Therefore' indicates logical consequence. 'Every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer' declares total corruption. 'Every mouth speaketh folly' shows sin's comprehensive nature—words reveal hearts (Matthew 12:34). The refrain returns: despite this judgment, God's anger continues and His hand remains stretched out. Even severe judgment hasn't accomplished repentance, necessitating further discipline.