Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

ISAIAH 1:4KJV
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Isaiah 1:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 1:4 mean?

Isaiah 1:4 describes the people of Israel as deeply sinful and weighed down by wrongdoing, calling them descendants of evildoers who have turned away from God and corrupted themselves. The verse says they have abandoned the LORD, angered the Holy One of Israel, and moved further away from Him.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the nation of Judah, warning them about their spiritual and moral decline. This verse uses strong language to show how far the people have strayed from their relationship with God, emphasizing both their actions and their attitude. Isaiah highlights that their rebellion is not just a momentary lapse but a deep-rooted problem passed through generations.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 1:4

  • "Ah" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is an expression of grief or alarm, almost like a sorrowful cry, setting a tone of deep concern and warning.
  • "Laden" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word means "weighed down" or "burdened," painting a picture of people carrying a heavy load of iniquity, not just committing sins lightly.
  • "Forsaken" (עָזַב, azav): This word means to abandon or leave behind, stressing that the people have actively turned their backs on the LORD, not just drifted away.
  • "Provoked" (נָאַץ, na'atz): This word means to despise or treat with contempt, showing that their actions have deeply offended and angered the Holy One of Israel, not just disappointed Him.

Why Isaiah 1:4 matters

  • Isaiah 1:4 makes clear that the problem is not just individual mistakes but a pattern of rebellion that affects the whole community and its future generations.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of turning away from God, showing that it is seen as a personal offense against the Holy One of Israel.
  • This verse sets the stage for the rest of Isaiah’s message, explaining why judgment and warning are necessary and why a call to repentance is so urgent.

Where else these words appear

“forsaken” Hebrew H853 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Numbers 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

“provoked” Hebrew H5006 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
  • Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

“laden” Hebrew H3515 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • 1 Kings 12:11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

“backward” Hebrew H268 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
  • Psalms 44:10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
  • Isaiah 42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.