Isaiah 1:21

Isaiah 1:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
• New International Version (NIV)See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!
• English Standard Version (ESV)How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.

Context of Isaiah 1:21

19If you are willing and obey, you will eat the good of the land. 20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword.” For the mouth of Adonai has spoken. How the Faithful City became a harlot! She once was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers! 22Your silver has become dross, your wine diluted by water. 23Your princes are rebellious and friends with thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does a widow’s case come to them.

Isaiah 1:21 word by word

אֵיכָה֙ הָיְתָ֣ה לְזוֹנָ֔ה קִרְיָ֖ה נֶאֱמָנָ֑ה מְלֵאֲתִ֣י מִשְׁפָּ֗ט צֶ֛דֶק יָלִ֥ין בָּ֖הּ וְעַתָּ֥ה מְרַצְּחִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• How is the faithfulאָמַן'âman · be faithfulH539
• cityקִרְיָהqiryâh · townH7151
• become an harlotזָנָהzânâh · to fornicateH2181
• it was fullמָלֵאmâlê' · fullH4392
• of judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• righteousnessצֶ֫דֶקtsedeq · righteousnessH6664
• lodgedלוּןlûn lîyn · to lodgeH3885
• in it; but now murderersרָצַחrâtsach · to murderH7523

Cross-references for Isaiah 1:21

• Isaiah 48:2For they call themselves by the holy city, and lean on the God of Israel, Adonai-Tzva’ot is His Name.
• Nehemiah 11:1So the leaders of the people dwelt in Jerusalem while the remainder of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in the other towns.
• Psalms 46:4though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at their swelling. Selah
• Psalms 48:1A song, a psalm of the sons of Korah.
• Zechariah 8:3Thus says Adonai, “I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of Adonai-Tzva’ot will be called the Holy Mountain.”
• Hebrews 12:22But you have come to Mount Zion— to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, a joyous gathering,
• Jeremiah 2:20“Indeed, long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds. You said, ‘I will not serve!’ Instead, on every high hill and under every green tree you sprawled out as a prostitute.
• Jeremiah 3:1“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to be with another man, will he return to her again? Would not such a land be totally polluted? You are a prostitute with many lovers. Now are you returning to Me?” It is a declaration of Adonai.
• Lamentations 1:8Jerusalem has greatly sinned— therefore, she has become niddah . All who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness. She herself groans, and turns away.
• Ezekiel 16:1The word of Adonai came to me saying:
• Ezekiel 22:1The word of Adonai came to me saying:
• Ezekiel 23:1The word of Adonai came to me saying:
• Luke 13:34“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
• Revelation 11:2But do not measure the court outside the Temple—leave it out, because it has been given to the nations, and they shall trample the holy city for forty-two months.
• Isaiah 5:7For the vineyard of Adonai-Tzva’ot is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah the planting of His delight. He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed, for righteousness, but behold, a cry!

Commentaries on Isaiah 1:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Become a harlot - See before, the Discourse on the Prophetic Style; and see Lowth's Comment on the place, and De Sacr. Poes. Hebr. Prael. xxxi.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21How is - This is an expression of deploring, or lamenting. It indicates that that had occurred which was matter of grief. The prophet had stated the principles of the divine government; had urged the people to reason with God; and had affirmed his willingness to pardon. But it was seen that they would not repent. They were so wicked and perverse, that there was no hope of their reformation. His mind is full of this subject; he repeats the charge of their…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-31Verses 21-31 Neither holy cities nor royal ones are faithful to their trust, if religion does not dwell in them. Dross may shine like silver, and the wine that is mixed with water may still have the colour of wine. Those have a great deal to answer for, who do not help the oppressed, but oppress them. Men may do much by outward restraints; but only God works effectually by the influences of his Spirit, as a Spirit of Judgment. Sin is the worst captivity…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21The image of Jerusalem as a prostitute symbolizes Judah's unfaithfulness to God (see Jeremiah 3:6–14; Ezekiel 16:25–26; Hosea 1–3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. faithful--as a wife (Is 54:5; 62:5; Ho 2:19, 20). harlot--(Eze 16:28-35). righteousness lodged--(2Pe 3:13). murderers--murderous oppressors, as the antithesis requires (see on Is 1:15; 1Jo 3:15).Read the comment

Topics related to Isaiah 1:21

• Backsliders
• Church
• Israel, Prophecies Concerning
• Sin

In the dictionaries

• Adultery
• Convert
• Crib
• Eat
• Fade
• Harlot
• Isaiah, The Book of
• Judgment
• Oblation
• Owner

Commentaries on Isaiah 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings