Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

KJV

discite benefacere ; quærite judicium, subvenite oppresso, judicate pupillo, defendite viduam.

Vulgate

μάθετε καλὸν ποιεῖν, ἐκζητήσατε κρίσιν, ῥύσασθε ἀδικούμενον, κρίνατε ὀρφανῷ καὶ δικαιώσατε χήρᾳ.

LXX

learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

ASV

לִמְד֥וּ הֵיטֵ֛ב דִּרְשׁ֥וּ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט אַשְּׁר֣וּ חָמ֑וֹץ שִׁפְט֣וּ יָת֔וֹם רִ֖יבוּ אַלְמָנָֽה

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

10 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

אַלְמָנָ֖ה
'lmnh
noun · 56×
ה
h
verb · 70×
הוּ
hv
verb · 165×
חָמ֑וֹץ
chmvts
noun · 1×
י
y
noun · 422×
יִיטַ֥ב
yytb
verb · 111×
יָּת֥וֹם
ytvm
noun · 42×
נִי
ny
verb · 17×
נִי
ny
verb · 87×
נוּ
nv
verb · 199×

Themes

Historic Christian voices

9 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§1430Jesus' call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, "sackcloth and ashes," fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance.23
§1435Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right,33 by the admission of faults to one's brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one's cross …
§2100Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice: "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit...."17 The prophets of the Old Covenant often denounced sacrifices that were not from the heart or not coupled with love of neighbor.18 Jesus recalls the words of the prophet Hosea: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice."19 The only perfect sacrifice…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210225.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
2. I therefore so run, as not uncertainly. Thus having shamed them from those that are without, he next brings forward himself also, which kind of thing is a most excellent method of teaching: and accordingly we find him every where doing so. But what is, not uncertainly? Looking to some mark, says he, not at random and in vain, as you do. For what profit have ye of entering in…
1. Paul wishing to show the difference between the New and Old [Covenant], scatters it everywhere; and shoots from afar, and noises it abroad, and prepares beforehand. For at once even from the introduction, he laid down this saying, that to them indeed He spoke by prophets, but to us by the Son c. i. 1, 2, and to them at sundry times and in various manners, but to us through t…

Cross-references

  • Acts 6:1 — And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
  • Dan 4:27 — Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
  • Deut 10:18 — He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
  • Deut 16:19 — Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
  • Exod 22:22 — Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
  • Ezek 45:9 — Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.
  • Isa 1:23 — Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
  • Isa 11:4 — But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay
  • Jer 21:12 — O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench i
  • Jer 22:3 — Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, ne
  • Jer 22:15 — Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
  • Jer 22:16 — He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
  • Luke 18:3 — And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • Matt 7:12 — Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Mic 6:8 — He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
  • Prov 31:9 — Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
  • Prov 31:9 — Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
  • Ps 82:3 — Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
  • Ps 82:3 — Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
  • Rom 13:4 — For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him
  • Zech 7:9 — Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
  • Zech 8:16 — These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
  • Zeph 2:3 — Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.