Isaiah 5:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →They corrupt justice itself by acquitting the guilty for payment and stripping the righteous of their due.
The Context of Isaiah 5:23
Judicial corruption: accepting bribes to pervert judgment.
What Does Isaiah 5:23 Mean?
This describes the judicial perversion at the heart of covenant collapse. Judges who take bribes and reverse verdicts undermine the entire social order. Justice is the foundation of covenant community; once judges accept reward to acquit the wicked, that foundation crumbles.
'Take away the righteousness of the righteous' means the just are denied vindication. They may have justice on their side, but corrupt judges rob them of it. This twofold corruption—protecting the wicked, punishing the righteous—inverts the entire moral order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 5:23
What does Isaiah 5:23 mean?
They corrupt justice itself by acquitting the guilty for payment and stripping the righteous of their due.
What is the context of Isaiah 5:23?
Judicial corruption: accepting bribes to pervert judgment.