Isaiah 3:15 Meaning and Explanation
“What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God demands to know why they crush and oppress the powerless.
The Context of Isaiah 3:15
God's rhetorical challenge to the oppressors, expressing His outrage at their violence.
What Does Isaiah 3:15 Mean?
God's question is rhetorical and outraged. What reason could possibly justify beating His people to pieces or grinding the faces of the poor into the dust? The brutal language—beating, grinding, crushing—conveys the savagery of the leaders' exploitation. The poor have no defence, no recourse, and nowhere to turn except to God.
By calling them 'My people' and 'the poor,' God reasserts ownership and protection. The Lord has seen the violence; He has felt the affront. This question introduces His verdict: such abuse will not stand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 3:15
What does Isaiah 3:15 mean?
God demands to know why they crush and oppress the powerless.
What is the context of Isaiah 3:15?
God's rhetorical challenge to the oppressors, expressing His outrage at their violence.