Isaiah 32:7

7 Certainly the greedy use evil measures: he devises wicked devices to ensnare the simple with lying words and to speak in judgment against the poor.

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 vile person shall no longer be called liberal, nor the greedy said to be bountiful.
6 For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will invent iniquity to work unrighteousness and to speak scornfully against the LORD, leaving the soul of the hungry empty and taking away the drink of the thirsty.
7 Certainly the greedy use evil measures: he devises wicked devices to ensnare the simple with lying words and to speak in judgment against the poor.
8 But the liberal devises liberal things; and by liberal things shall he rise.
9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010