Isaiah 9:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God withdraws mercy from Israel's most vulnerable due to universal hypocrisy and wickedness; judgment continues unabated.
The Context of Isaiah 9:17
Isaiah describes Israel's complete moral corruption and God's withdrawal of mercy, leaving only judgment.
What Does Isaiah 9:17 Mean?
The verse reaches a depth of judgment: God 'shall have no joy' in Israel's young men—those who should be Israel's future. And He 'shall have mercy' on the vulnerable—the fatherless and widows who depend on community protection. Normally, prophets appeal to God's compassion for the weak, but here even that avenue closes. The reason: corruption is universal and absolute.
Every person is characterized as a 'hypocrite and an evildoer' speaking 'folly.' This is not merely some people in error but a comprehensive moral collapse. When a society becomes this thoroughly corrupted, even God's mercy must give way to judgment. The closing refrain—'his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still'—signals that this judgment remains active, unrelenting, pushing Israel toward accountability.
Isaiah 9:17 in the Original Language
hypocrite (חָנֵף) — one who is soiled or polluted, metaphorically treacherous or impious; one who professes faith while living wickedly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 9:17
What does Isaiah 9:17 mean?
God withdraws mercy from Israel's most vulnerable due to universal hypocrisy and wickedness; judgment continues unabated.
What is the context of Isaiah 9:17?
Isaiah describes Israel's complete moral corruption and God's withdrawal of mercy, leaving only judgment.