The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

ISAIAH 3:9KJV
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Isaiah 3:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 3:9 mean?

Isaiah 3:9 says that the people’s guilt is obvious from their faces and actions; they openly admit to wrongdoing, much like the people of Sodom, without any attempt to hide it. Because of this shamelessness, Isaiah warns that they are bringing trouble and harm upon themselves.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, describing how their public attitude and behavior reveal their sinfulness. The verse uses the example of Sodom, a city known for its blatant wickedness, to show how openly the people are acting against what is right. Isaiah’s warning is that such open rebellion will lead to consequences for their own lives.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 3:9

  • "Countenance" (פָּנִים, pānîm): This word means "face" or "appearance." Here, it highlights that their very expressions and demeanor give away their guilt, not just their actions or words.
  • "Declare" (נָגַד, nāgad): This word means "to make known" or "to announce." The verse emphasizes that the people are not just sinning in secret; they are openly announcing or displaying their wrongdoing.
  • "Hide" (כָּסָה, kāsâ): This means "to cover" or "to conceal." The verse points out that the people make no effort to cover up their sins, showing a lack of shame or repentance.
  • "Woe" (אוֹי, ōy): This word is an expression of grief or warning. Isaiah uses it to signal the seriousness of the consequences that will come because of their actions.

Why Isaiah 3:9 matters

  • Isaiah 3:9 clarifies that the problem is not just hidden sin but a public, shameless attitude toward wrongdoing, which deepens the seriousness of the situation.
  • The verse connects the people of Judah to Sodom, a symbol of extreme moral failure in the Bible, showing how far they have strayed.
  • This verse helps explain why judgment is coming in the broader passage: it is not just because of isolated mistakes, but because of a widespread, unashamed rejection of what is right.

Where else these words appear

“Woe” Hebrew H188 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • Isaiah 24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
  • Jeremiah 45:3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.

“hide” Hebrew H3582 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

“rewarded” Hebrew H1580 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
  • 2 Samuel 22:21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
  • Psalms 137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.