Isaiah 1:21 Meaning and Explanation
“How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem, once characterized by justice and righteousness, has become like an unfaithful woman inhabited by those who commit murder.
The Context of Isaiah 1:21
Lamentation over Jerusalem's moral transformation from justice to murder.
What Does Isaiah 1:21 Mean?
The exclamation 'How is the faithful city become an harlot!' begins a section that grieves what Jerusalem has become. A 'harlot' in biblical language represents unfaithfulness, betrayal of covenant commitment, and exchange of sacred relationship for corrupt gain. The prophet's tone shifts from direct command to lamentation, mourning the loss of what the city once was. This grief gives the message emotional power: what is lost is not insignificant but the very core of Jerusalem's identity.
The contrast between past and present is vivid: once 'full of judgment, righteousness lodged in it'—a place where justice and right-living were at home—now 'murderers' dwell. The substitution of murderers for righteous people represents complete moral inversion. The poem captures the tragedy that a city founded on covenant faithfulness has become a place where the worst crimes occur.
Isaiah 1:21 in the Original Language
qiryâh (קִרְיָה), 'city' — often refers to Jerusalem; here personified as an unfaithful woman.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 1:21
What does Isaiah 1:21 mean?
Jerusalem, once characterized by justice and righteousness, has become like an unfaithful woman inhabited by those who commit murder.
What is the context of Isaiah 1:21?
Lamentation over Jerusalem's moral transformation from justice to murder.