Isaiah 1:17

17 Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.

Isaiah 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do well
Which men are naturally ignorant of; to do good they have no knowledge; nor can they that are accustomed to do evil learn to do well of themselves; but the Lord can teach them to profit, and of him they should ask wisdom, and desire, under the influence of his grace, to learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, and particularly to do acts of beneficence to all men, and especially to the household of faith; and also, the following ones, seek judgment;
seek to do justice between man and man in any cause depending, without respect of persons: relieve the oppressed;
the poor that are oppressed by their neighbours that are richer and mightier than they, right their wrongs, and deliver them out of the hands of their oppressors ^F9: judge the fatherless;
do justice to them who have none to take care of them, and defend them: plead for the widow;
that is desolate, and has none to plead her cause.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F9 Misn. Sabbat, c. 9. sect. 3. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 67. 1,

Isaiah 1:17 In-Context

15 And in your spreading forth your hands, I hide mine eyes from you, Also when ye increase prayer, I do not hear, Your hands of blood have been full.

16 Wash ye, make ye pure, Turn aside the evil of your doings, from before Mine eyes, Cease to do evil, learn to do good.

17 Seek judgment, make happy the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, strive [for] the widow.

18 Come, I pray you, and we reason, saith Jehovah, If your sins are as scarlet, as snow they shall be white, If they are red as crimson, as wool they shall be!

19 If ye are willing, and have hearkened, The good of the land ye consume,