Isaiah 59:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In a corrupt society, justice has retreated, truth has collapsed, and equity has been shut out of public life.
The Context of Isaiah 59:14
The lament returns to the social condition that results from the people's sin. The structures of justice have been inverted.
What Does Isaiah 59:14 Mean?
Judgment is turned away backward. The image suggests that judgment, which ought to move forward to defend the innocent and condemn the guilty, has been reversed or retreated. And justice standeth afar off. Justice is not merely slow; it is distant, inaccessible. For truth is fallen in the street. Where truth should be spoken openly, in the public square where all can hear, it has collapsed like a person struck down. And equity cannot enter. Equity, or fairness, is barred from the gates of the city. The place where right decisions are made has been closed to righteousness.
This is a portrait of institutional corruption. It is not merely that individuals have sinned; the very systems that are meant to protect the innocent have been captured by the wicked. This is why the people's cry for judgment and salvation is so desperate. Individual reform is not enough. The structures themselves must be restored.
How to Apply Isaiah 59:14 Today
When we see injustice entrenched in institutions, we must remember that it reflects something deeper in us as a society. Systemic evil flows from the hearts of those who sustain it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 59:14
What does Isaiah 59:14 mean?
In a corrupt society, justice has retreated, truth has collapsed, and equity has been shut out of public life.
What is the context of Isaiah 59:14?
The lament returns to the social condition that results from the people's sin. The structures of justice have been inverted.
How can I apply Isaiah 59:14 today?
When we see injustice entrenched in institutions, we must remember that it reflects something deeper in us as a society. Systemic evil flows from the hearts of those who sustain it.