Isaiah 57:17 Meaning and Explanation
“For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God's wrath struck the covetous, and His hiddenness allowed them to persist in stubborn rebellion.
The Context of Isaiah 57:17
God recounts the pattern of judgment and hiddenness met with continued covetous rebellion.
What Does Isaiah 57:17 Mean?
God describes His response to covetousness—the relentless craving for more, the lust for possessions and power. His wrath resulted in smiting, a physical blow or judgment. Yet instead of repenting, the person went on frowardly—stubbornly, in willful disobedience. Frowardly describes moving backward, away from God, following the way of his heart rather than God's.
When God hid Himself, withdrawing His manifest presence, the person's rebellion intensified rather than softened. Absence of immediate consequences led not to reflection but to deeper entanglement in their own desires. This illustrates a tragic pattern: God's wrath followed by His patient hiddenness, yet the person choosing continued rebellion at each turn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 57:17
What does Isaiah 57:17 mean?
God's wrath struck the covetous, and His hiddenness allowed them to persist in stubborn rebellion.
What is the context of Isaiah 57:17?
God recounts the pattern of judgment and hiddenness met with continued covetous rebellion.