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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm" title="Isaiah 9:21">◄</a> Isaiah 10:1 <a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm" title="Isaiah 10:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness <i>which</i> they have prescribed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, <i>Which</i> they have prescribed<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes And to those who constantly record harmful decisions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record unjust decisions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Woe to those who enact evil statutes, And to those who constantly record unjust decisions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record mischief,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Woe (judgment is coming) to those [judges] who issue evil statutes, And to those [magistrates] who constantly record unjust <i>and</i> oppressive decisions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those enacting crooked statutes and writing oppressive laws<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those enacting crooked statutes and writing oppressive laws <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You people are in for trouble! You have made cruel and unfair laws <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for those who make unjust laws and who make oppressive regulations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You are doomed! You make unjust laws that oppress my people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"How terrible it will be for the one who enacts unjust decrees, for those who write oppressive laws that they have prescribed<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Those who enact unjust policies are as good as dead, those who are always instituting unfair regulations, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Woe [to] those decreeing decrees of iniquity, "" And writers who have prescribed perverseness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Woe to those decreeing decrees of iniquity, And writers who have prescribed perverseness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo to those decreeing not decrees, and they wrote writings of labor;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />WOE to them that make wicked laws: and when they write, write injustice: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who make unfair laws, and who, when writing, write injustice:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Ah! Those who enact unjust statutes, who write oppressive decrees, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WOE to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and who write unjust decrees;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Woe to those who publish a publication of depravity and write evil<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, And to the writers that write iniquity;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe to them that write wickedness; for when they write they do write wickedness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/10-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=2094" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/10.htm">Woe to Tyrants</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/2710.htm" title="2710: ha·ḥō·qə·qîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To cut in, inscribe, decree. A primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. Engrave; by implication, to enact or Prescribe.">to those who enact</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">unjust</a> <a href="/hebrew/2711.htm" title="2711: ḥiq·qê- (N-mpc) -- An enactment, a resolution. From chaqaq; an enactment, a resolution.">statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: ū·mə·ḵat·tə·ḇîm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">and issue</a> <a href="/hebrew/5999.htm" title="5999: ‘ā·māl (N-ms) -- Trouble, labor, toil. From amal; toil, i.e. Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. Of body or mind.">oppressive</a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: kit·tê·ḇū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">decrees,</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Amos 5:12</a></span><br />For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Habakkuk 1:4</a></span><br />Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3-4</a></span><br />Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. / Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a></span><br />“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></span><br />The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-20.htm">Psalm 94:20-21</a></span><br />Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree? / They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6</a></span><br />You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a></span><br />For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a></span><br />To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Isaiah 3:11</a></b></br> Woe unto the wicked! <i>it shall be</i> ill <i>with him</i>: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8,11,18,20-22</a></b></br> Woe unto them that join house to house, <i>that</i> lay field to field, till <i>there be</i> no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a></b></br> Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; <i>that</i> useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;</p><p class="hdg">them</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13</a></b></br> And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, <i>even</i> against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/3-10.htm">Esther 3:10-13</a></b></br> And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-2.htm">Psalm 58:2</a></b></br> Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.</p><p class="hdg">that write grievousness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/1-27.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-28.htm">Constantly</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-4.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Decreeing</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-15.htm">Grievousness</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Iniquitous</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-7.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/105-41.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-15.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">Oppression</a> <a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Oppressive</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-7.htm">Prescribe</a> <a href="/psalms/40-7.htm">Prescribed</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-2.htm">Record</a> <a href="/psalms/87-6.htm">Records</a> <a href="/psalms/147-19.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-27.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/psalms/71-4.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Write</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-2.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/12-4.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-5.htm">Constantly</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-4.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-3.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-22.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Decreeing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-35.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-15.htm">Grievousness</a> <a href="/job/16-11.htm">Iniquitous</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-11.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-24.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-5.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-12.htm">Oppression</a> <a href="/judges/6-2.htm">Oppressive</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-11.htm">Prescribe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-14.htm">Prescribed</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Record</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Records</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-5.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Unjust</a> <a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-19.htm">Write</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-19.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">The woe of tyrants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Assyria, the rod of hypocrites, for its pride shall be broken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/10-20.htm">A remnant of Israel shall be saved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/10-23.htm">Judah is comforted with promise of deliverance from Assyria</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Woe to those who enact unjust statutes</b><br>The term "woe" is a prophetic declaration of judgment and lamentation, often used by prophets to announce divine displeasure. In the context of Isaiah, it serves as a warning to the leaders of Judah who are responsible for creating laws that are unfair and exploitative. The concept of justice is central to the Old Testament, with God repeatedly calling His people to uphold righteousness and fairness (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). The leaders' failure to do so reflects a departure from the covenantal obligations outlined in the Mosaic Law, which emphasized justice for the poor and marginalized (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19-20</a>). This phrase highlights the moral decay within the leadership, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature.<p><b>and issue oppressive decrees</b><br>The phrase "oppressive decrees" refers to legal decisions or policies that burden the people, particularly the vulnerable, such as widows, orphans, and the poor. In ancient Near Eastern societies, kings and rulers were expected to be the protectors of justice, ensuring that the weak were not exploited. However, the leaders in Isaiah's time were doing the opposite, using their power to further their own interests at the expense of the people. This behavior is condemned throughout the Bible, as seen in the rebukes of other prophets like Amos (<a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11-12</a>) and Micah (<a href="/micah/2.htm">Micah 2:1-2</a>). The oppressive nature of these decrees is antithetical to the character of God, who is described as a defender of the oppressed (<a href="/psalms/146-7.htm">Psalm 146:7-9</a>). This passage serves as a reminder of the responsibility of leaders to govern with integrity and compassion, reflecting God's justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal corruption.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/u/unjust_rulers.htm">Unjust Rulers</a></b><br>The leaders and lawmakers in Judah who were responsible for creating and enforcing laws that were unjust and oppressive, leading to social injustice.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/oppression.htm">Oppression</a></b><br>The act of subjugating or mistreating others, often highlighted in the Bible as a sin against God's commands for justice and righteousness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_judgment.htm">God's Judgment</a></b><br>The divine response to sin and injustice, often communicated through the prophets as a call to repentance and a warning of consequences.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_justice.htm">The Importance of Justice</a></b><br>God values justice and righteousness, and His people are called to reflect these values in their personal and communal lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders have a responsibility to enact laws and policies that are fair and just. Unjust leadership leads to societal decay and divine judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_oppression.htm">The Consequences of Oppression</a></b><br>Oppression and injustice invite God's judgment. Believers are called to stand against such practices and advocate for the vulnerable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>While leaders are accountable, individuals also have a role in promoting justice and opposing oppression in their spheres of influence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>God offers forgiveness and restoration to those who turn from unjust practices and seek to align with His standards of justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_unjust_rulers.htm">Isaiah 10:1–4: Why would a just God allow oppressive rulers to continue writing unjust laws while still holding them accountable later? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_evil_leaders_gain_power_in_micah_3.htm">In Micah 3:1–2, how could the leaders (who are described as loving evil) gain such widespread power if the Israelites were supposedly under God’s guidance? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_cloning.htm">What is the Bible's stance on cloning?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_christianity_to_justify_oppression.htm">If Christianity is based on love, why has it been used to justify oppression, colonialism, and slavery?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">X.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees . . .</span>--The division of the chapters is again misleading. <a href="/context/isaiah/10-1.htm" title="Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;">Isaiah 10:1-4</a> continue the discourse of Isaiah 9, and end with the final knell, "For all this <span class= "bld">. . .</span>" With <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm" title="O Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.">Isaiah 10:5</a> a new section begins, and is carried on to <a href="/isaiah/12-6.htm" title="Cry out and shout, you inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the middle of you.">Isaiah 12:6</a>, which deals, for the first time in the collection of Isaiah's writings, exclusively with Assyria, and is followed in its turn by utterances that deal with Babylon and other nations. The formula with which the section opens reminds us of that of <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm" title="Woe to them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the middle of the earth!">Isaiah 5:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm" title="Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!">Isaiah 5:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm" title="Woe to them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:">Isaiah 5:18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm" title="Woe to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:">Isaiah 5:22</a>, and suggests the thought that the prophet is speaking not only or chiefly of the northern kingdom, as in <a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm" title="Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.">Isaiah 9:21</a>, but of Israel as including Judah. The evils the prophet denounces are, it will be noted, identical with those in <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm" title="Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.">Isaiah 1:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm" title="Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!">Isaiah 5:23</a>. For the second clause of the verse, read, "<span class= "ital">and the scribes who register oppression." </span>All the formalities of justice were observed punctiliously. The decision of the unjust judge was duly given and recorded, but the outcome of it all was that the poor, the widow, and the fatherless got no redress. The words for "prey" and "rob" are those used in the mysterious name of <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm" title="Moreover the LORD said to me, Take you a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.">Isaiah 8:1</a>. They occur again in <a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm" title="I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.">Isaiah 10:6</a>. It would seem as if the prophet sought in this way to impress the thought of the great law of divine retribution. Men were reaping as they had sown. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-4.</span> - The prophecy begun in <a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">Isaiah 9:8</a> terminates with this stanza, which contains a warning against injustice and oppression, addressed to Israel and Judah equally, and accompanied by the threat of a "day of desolation," when those who have refused to make God their Refuge will have no resource, but to go into captivity with the "prisoners," or to perish with the "slain." A foreign conquest, accompanied by slaughter, and the deportation of captives, is not obscurely intimated. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17, 20, 26</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Isaiah 5:23</a>, etc.). The perversion of judgment from the judgment-seat is the sin rebuked. It was certainly prevalent in Judah, it may also have been practiced in Israel. <span class="cmt_word">And that write grievousness</span>, etc. Translate, <span class="accented">and unto the writers that enregister oppression</span>. The decrees of courts were, it is clear, carefully engrossed by the officials, probably upon parchment, every outward formality being observed, while justice itself was set at naught. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/10-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Woe</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֥וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ah! alas! ha!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to those who enact</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֹֽקְקִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥō·qə·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2710.htm">Strong's 2710: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hack, engrave, to enact, prescribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unjust</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑וֶן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">statutes</span><br /><span class="heb">חִקְקֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥiq·qê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2711.htm">Strong's 2711: </a> </span><span class="str2">An enactment, a resolution</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and issue</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽמְכַתְּבִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·ḵat·tə·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oppressive</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמָ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·māl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5999.htm">Strong's 5999: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">decrees,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּתֵּֽבוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(kit·tê·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 10:1 Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/9-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 9:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 9:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 10:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 10:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>