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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/1-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/23_Isa_01_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 1:23 - The Corruption of Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. 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They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow&#8217s case does not come before them. <a href="/nlt/isaiah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Your leaders are rebels, the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows. <a href="/esv/isaiah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. <a href="/kjv/isaiah/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after gifts. They do not obtain justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s case come before them. <a href="/nasb/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow&#8217s plea come before them. <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Your rulers are rebels, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe, And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them. <a href="/lsb/isaiah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And pursues rewards. They do not execute justice for the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them. <a href="/amp/isaiah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes And chases after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the widow’s cause come before them [instead they delay or turn a deaf ear]. <a href="/csb/isaiah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow’s case never comes before them. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love graft and chase after bribes. They do not defend the rights of the fatherless, and the widow&#8217s case never comes before them. <a href="/asv/isaiah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. <a href="/cev/isaiah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Your leaders have rejected me to become friends of crooks; your rulers are looking for gifts and bribes. Widows and orphans never get a fair trial. <a href="/erv/isaiah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/isaiah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They don't notice the widows' pleas. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case. <a href="/isv/isaiah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. All of them are lovers of bribes and are runners after gifts. They don't bring justice to orphans, and the widow's case never comes up for review in their court." <a href="/msb/isaiah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. <a href="/net/isaiah/1.htm">NET Bible</a> Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Your rulers are rebellious, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe, chasing after payoffs. They do not judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them. <a href="/wbt/isaiah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 to them. <a href="/web/isaiah/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Your princes [are] apostates, and companions of thieves, "" Everyone loving a bribe, and pursuing rewards, "" They do not judge the fatherless, "" And the plea of the widow does not come to them. <a href="/ylt/isaiah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Thy princes are apostates, and companions of thieves, Every one loving a bribe, and pursuing rewards, The fatherless they judge not, And the plea of the widow cometh not to them. <a href="/slt/isaiah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thy chiefs turning away, and associates of thieves: every one loving a gift and following recompenses: the orphan they will not judge, and the cause of the widow will not come to them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Thy princes are faithless, companions of thieves: they all love bribes, the run after rewards. They judge not for the fatherless: and the widow's cometh not in to them. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Your leaders are unfaithful, the associates of thieves. They all love gifts; they pursue rewards. They do not judge for orphans, and the widow’s case is not brought before them. <a href="/nabre/isaiah/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Your princes are rebels and comrades of thieves; Each one of them loves a bribe and looks for gifts. The fatherless they do not defend, the widow’s plea does not reach them. <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause does not come before them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves; every one of them loves a bribe and runs after rewards; they plead not the cause of the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come before them. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Your Princes are rebellious and are partners of thieves; all of them love a bribe and they hurry to reward corruptions; for the orphans they do not execute justice, and the justice of the widow does not come into them<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Thy princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Every one loveth bribes, And followeth after rewards; They judge not the fatherless, Neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. <a href="/sep/isaiah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Thy princes are rebellious, companions of thieves, loving bribes, seeking after rewards; not pleading for orphans, and not heeding the cause of widows. <a href="/parallel/isaiah/1-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=250" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">The Corruption of Zion</a> …22Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. 23<a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·ra·yiḵ (N-mpc:: 2fs) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">Your rulers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5637.htm" title="5637: sō·wr·rîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- Stubborn or rebellious. A primitive root; to turn away, i.e. be refractory.">are rebels,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2270.htm" title="2270: wə·ḥaḇ·rê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- United, associate, companion. From chabar; an associate.">friends</a> <a href="/hebrew/1590.htm" title="1590: gan·nā·ḇîm (N-mp) -- A thief. From ganab; a stealer.">of thieves.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">They all</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ō·hêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">love</a> <a href="/hebrew/7810.htm" title="7810: šō·ḥaḏ (N-ms) -- A present, bribe. From shachad; a donation.">bribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: wə·rō·ḏêp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">and chasing after</a> <a href="/hebrew/8021.htm" title="8021: šal·mō·nîm (N-mp) -- A reward, bribe. From shalam; a bribe.">rewards.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">They do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: yiš·pō·ṭū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To judge, govern. ">defend</a> <a href="/hebrew/3490.htm" title="3490: yā·ṯō·wm (N-ms) -- An orphan. From an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person.">the fatherless,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: wə·rîḇ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">and the plea</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: ’al·mā·nāh (N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">of the widow</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">comes</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">before them.</a> 24Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a> They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a> Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a> Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” <a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3-4</a> 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. <a href="/hosea/9-15.htm">Hosea 9:15</a> All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. <a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Amos 5:12</a> 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. <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a> “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Proverbs 17:23</a> A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. <a href="/psalms/82-2.htm">Psalm 82:2-4</a> “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah / Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. <a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:17</a> “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.” <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> 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. <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a> 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. <a href="/james/2-6.htm">James 2:6</a> But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? <a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a> 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. ... <a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Matthew 21:13</a> And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.princes<a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Isaiah 3:14</a> The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.<a href="/2_chronicles/24-17.htm">2 Chronicles 24:17-21</a> Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them… <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">2 Chronicles 36:14</a> Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.companions<a href="/proverbs/29-24.htm">Proverbs 29:24</a> Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.<a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Matthew 21:13</a> And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.<a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27</a> And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,every<a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Isaiah 33:15</a> He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;<a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8</a> And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.<a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Deuteronomy 16:19</a> 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.they judge<a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1,2</a> Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; … <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28,29</a> They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge… <a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a> And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Bribes</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Case</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Chase</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Chases</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Followeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-7.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm">Rebels</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm">Runs</a> <a href="/job/30-5.htm">Thieves</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-25.htm">Widow's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Bribe</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Bribes</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">Case</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm">Chase</a> <a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Chases</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-11.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-20.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Fatherless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-20.htm">Followeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-20.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-33.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-14.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Orphan</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-18.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">Rebels</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-60.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-20.htm">Runs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-11.htm">Thieves</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-8.htm">Widow</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Widow's</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 1</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion</a> 5. <a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">He laments her judgments</a> 10. <a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">He upbraids their whole service</a> 16. <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats</a> 21. <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments</a> 25. <a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">He promises grace</a> 28. <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">And threatens destruction to the wicked</a> </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'; 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In the context of ancient Israel, rulers were expected to uphold God's law and lead the people in righteousness. This rebellion suggests a systemic failure in leadership, echoing the warnings given in <a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a> about the conduct of kings. Historically, this period saw a decline in adherence to the covenant, leading to social and moral decay.Friends of thieves This phrase highlights the corruption and moral compromise among the leaders. By associating with thieves, the rulers are complicit in injustice and exploitation. This reflects the broader societal issues addressed by the prophets, where leaders were often criticized for their alliances with corrupt individuals (<a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Micah 3:9-11</a>). The friendship with thieves symbolizes a betrayal of trust and a departure from the justice God demands.They all love bribes and chasing after rewards The love of bribes indicates a perversion of justice, where decisions are influenced by personal gain rather than truth and fairness. This was a common issue in ancient Near Eastern societies, where bribery undermined the legal system. The prophets frequently condemned this practice (<a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Exodus 23:8</a>, <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Proverbs 17:23</a>), as it led to the oppression of the poor and vulnerable. The pursuit of rewards over righteousness is a direct violation of the ethical standards set forth in the Mosaic Law.They do not defend the fatherless The fatherless, or orphans, were among the most vulnerable in society, lacking protection and provision. God's law explicitly commanded care for orphans (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>, <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>), and failure to defend them was a serious breach of covenantal responsibility. This neglect reflects a broader societal failure to uphold justice and mercy, key themes in the prophetic literature.And the plea of the widow never comes before them Widows, like orphans, were particularly vulnerable and often subject to exploitation. The law required special care for widows (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>, <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>), and their neglect by the leaders indicates a deep-seated injustice. The phrase suggests that the leaders are either indifferent or actively obstructing justice for widows, highlighting a failure to embody God's compassion and righteousness. This neglect is a recurring theme in the prophets, who call for a return to true justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/rulers.htm">Rulers</a> The leaders of Judah, who are described as corrupt and rebellious against God's laws. 2. <a href="/topical/r/rebels.htm">Rebels</a> Those who have turned away from God's commandments and are acting in opposition to His will. 3. <a href="/topical/t/thieves.htm">Thieves</a> Individuals who engage in dishonest gain, often in collusion with the rulers. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fatherless.htm">Fatherless</a> Orphans who are vulnerable and in need of protection and justice. 5. <a href="/topical/w/widow.htm">Widow</a> A woman who has lost her husband and is often left without support, representing the marginalized in society.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/corruption_in_leadership.htm">Corruption in Leadership</a> The verse highlights the dangers of corrupt leadership. As Christians, we are called to pray for our leaders and hold them accountable to God's standards of justice and righteousness. <a href="/topical/j/justice_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Justice for the Vulnerable</a> God’s heart is for the fatherless and the widow. We are called to be advocates for the marginalized and ensure that their needs and rights are upheld. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_over_bribery.htm">Integrity Over Bribery</a> The love of bribes is condemned. Christians are encouraged to live with integrity, avoiding any form of dishonest gain or favoritism. <a href="/topical/r/rebellion_against_god.htm">Rebellion Against God</a> The rulers are described as rebels. This serves as a warning against turning away from God’s commandments and the consequences that follow. <a href="/topical/a/active_compassion.htm">Active Compassion</a> The failure to defend the fatherless and the widow is a call to action for believers to actively engage in compassionate service and justice work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 1</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_bribes.htm">What does the Bible say about accepting bribes?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_babylonian_captivity.htm">What are the Babylonian Captivity and Exile?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_scripture_say_to_care_for_orphans.htm">How should we care for orphans according to scripture?</a> <a href="/q/do_isaiah_56_3-5_and_deut._23_1_conflict.htm">Does Isaiah 56:3-5 contradict Deuteronomy 23:1 by allowing eunuchs into God's congregation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) Thy princes are rebellious.--The Hebrew words present an alliterative paronomasia (s?rim, sorerim), which may be represented by "Thy rulers are rebels." Here, as before, we note the "influence of Hosea (<a href="/hosea/9-15.htm" title="All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of my house, I will love them no more: all their princes are rebels.">Hosea 9:15</a>), from whom the words are cited.Companions of thieves.--We seem almost to be reading a report of the state of police in a provincial city under the government of Turkey as it is, or of Naples or Sicily as they were. The kadi himself is in secret partnership with the brigands who infest the highways. Nothing can be done without baksheesh, and the robbers who have the plunder can bribe more heavily than the man whom they have robbed. (Comp. <a href="/micah/7-3.htm" title="That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.">Micah 7:3</a>.) To the complaints of the widow and the orphan the judges turned a deaf ear, and put off the hearing of their cause with indefinite procrastination. There is, perhaps, a touch of irony in the word for "bribes" (shalm?nim, as if "peace gifts"), which were sought after, instead of shalom, the true peace itself.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Thy princes are rebellious; i.e. "rebels against their true King, Jehovah." Companions of thieves. Leagued with those who are engaged in filching away the inheritance of the widow and the orphan by chicane in the law courts (see above, vers. 15-17; and compare the Homiletics on vers. 16-20). Gifts... rewards; i.e. "bribes, "given and taken on the condition of their perverting justice (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:17</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/22-12.htm">Ezekiel 22:12</a>; <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a>; <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Micah 7:3</a>). They judge not the fatherless, etc. They dismiss the orphan's complaint without hearing it, and are so noted for perversion of justice that the widow does not even bring her cause before them. <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/1-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Your rulers שָׂרַ֣יִךְ (śā·ra·yiḵ) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince are rebels, סוֹרְרִ֗ים (sō·wr·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5637.htm">Strong's 5637: </a> To turn away, be refractory friends וְחַבְרֵי֙ (wə·ḥaḇ·rê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2270.htm">Strong's 2270: </a> United, associate, companion of thieves. גַּנָּבִ֔ים (gan·nā·ḇîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1590.htm">Strong's 1590: </a> A stealer They all כֻּלּוֹ֙ (kul·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every love אֹהֵ֣ב (’ō·hêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> To have affection f bribes שֹׁ֔חַד (šō·ḥaḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7810.htm">Strong's 7810: </a> A present, bribe and chasing after וְרֹדֵ֖ף (wə·rō·ḏêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> To pursue, chase, persecute rewards. שַׁלְמֹנִ֑ים (šal·mō·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8021.htm">Strong's 8021: </a> A reward, bribe They do not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no defend יִשְׁפֹּ֔טוּ (yiš·pō·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate the fatherless, יָתוֹם֙ (yā·ṯō·wm) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3490.htm">Strong's 3490: </a> A bereaved person and the plea וְרִ֥יב (wə·rîḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> Strife, dispute of the widow אַלְמָנָ֖ה (’al·mā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> A widow, a desolate place never לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no comes יָב֥וֹא (yā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go before them. אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:23 Your princes are rebellious and companions (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 1:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/1-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 1:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:24" /></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>