For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

ISAIAH 32:6KJV
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Isaiah 32:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 32:6 mean?

Isaiah 32:6 describes how a corrupt or wicked person will speak foolishness and act with evil intent, leading to hypocrisy, lies about God, and actions that harm those in need by depriving the hungry and thirsty. The verse highlights the destructive impact of such a person’s words and actions on both spiritual truth and basic human needs.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is warning the people of Judah about the difference between righteous and unrighteous leaders. Isaiah is speaking to his fellow Israelites, describing how those who are morally bankrupt not only speak wrongly but also plot evil in their hearts, deceive others, and neglect the vulnerable. The verse is part of a larger contrast between the coming reign of a just king and the failings of current leaders.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 32:6

  • The word for "vile person" is נָבָל (naval), often meaning someone morally foolish or disgraceful, not just rude or crude. This highlights a deep character flaw, not just bad manners.
  • "Villany" comes from נְבָלָה (nevalah), which refers to outrageous or disgraceful acts, emphasizing the seriousness of the wrongdoing described.
  • The word for "iniquity" is אָוֶן (aven), which often points to intentional evil or wickedness, not just a mistake.
  • "To make empty the soul of the hungry" uses רִיק (riq), meaning to leave someone empty or deprived, showing that the harm is not just spiritual but also physical and practical.

Why Isaiah 32:6 matters

  • Isaiah 32:6 clarifies that wickedness is not just about bad words but also about actions that harm others, especially the vulnerable.
  • The verse emphasizes that hypocrisy and falsehood against God are linked to social injustice, connecting spiritual corruption with real-world consequences.
  • This verse helps set up the contrast in the chapter between corrupt leadership and the hope for a righteous ruler, making the need for justice and compassion clear.

Where else these words appear

“error” Hebrew H8442 · used in 2 verses

  • Nehemiah 4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

“drink” Hebrew H4945 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • Leviticus 11:34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“thirsty” Hebrew H6771 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
  • Psalms 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
  • Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

“villany” Hebrew H5039 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
  • Judges 19:24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
  • 2 Samuel 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.