Isaiah 32:7

7 The instruments of the churl are evil: he devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right.

Isaiah 32:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 32:7

The instruments also of the churl [are] evil
Not his [vessels] or measures he sells by, which are small and deficient, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it; nor his servants, his tools in doing his wickedness, which are fit for his purpose, wicked men; but rather these are much the same with "the instruments of the foolish shepherd", ( Zechariah 11:15 ) and may signify the evil ways and methods which covetous pastors or shepherds take to fleece the flock, and to increase their own gain:

he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words,
even when the needy speaketh right;
he consults, contrives, and forms schemes with all craft and cunning, on purpose, to corrupt, as the word F8 signifies, the poor and meek, humble and afflicted souls, with false doctrines; even when these poor and needy ones, who want to have sound and comfortable doctrine delivered to them, speak and ask for that which is right and just, agreeably to the oracles of God, and the analogy of faith, but can not have it; wherefore such a man is unfit to be a ruler in the house of God.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (rqv yrmab Mywne lbxl) "ad corrumpendum afflictos in eloquiis falsitaits", Montanus.

Isaiah 32:7 In-Context

5 The fool shall be no more called noble, nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
6 For the fool will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profanity, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
7 The instruments of the churl are evil: he devises wicked devices to destroy the humble with lying words, even when the needy speaks right.
8 But the noble devises noble things; and in noble things shall he continue.
9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, [and] hear my voice; you careless daughters, give ear to my speech.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.