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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 63:17 Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/63-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/23_Isa_63_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 63:17 - A Prayer for Mercy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? 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Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/63.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />LORD, why have you allowed us to turn from your path? Why have you given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear you? Return and help us, for we are your servants, the tribes that are your special possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/63.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/63.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/63.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, <i>and</i> hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/63.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, <i>And</i> hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants’ sake, The tribes of Your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/63.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why, LORD, do You cause us to stray from Your ways And harden our heart from fearing You? Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/63.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You cause us to stray from Your ways And harden our heart from fearing You? Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/63.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why, O LORD, dost Thou cause us to stray from Thy ways, And harden our heart from fearing Thee? Return for the sake of Thy servants, the tribes of Thy heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/63.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why, O Yahweh, do You cause us to stray from Your ways And stiffen our heart from fearing You? Return for the sake of Your slaves, the tribes of Your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/63.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />O LORD, why do You cause us to stray from Your ways And harden our heart from fearing You [with reverence and awe]? Return for Your servants’ sake, the tribes of Your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/63.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why, LORD, do you make us stray from your ways? You harden our hearts so we do not fear you. Return, because of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/63.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why, Yahweh, do You make us stray from Your ways? You harden our hearts so we do not fear You. Return, because of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/63.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />O Jehovah, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/63.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why did you make us turn away from you, our LORD? Why did you make us want to disobey you? Please change your mind! We are your servants, your very own people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/63.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O LORD, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/63.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, why do you let us wander from your ways and become so stubborn that we are unable to fear you? Return for the sake of your servants. They are the tribes that belong to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/63.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why do you let us stray from your ways? Why do you make us so stubborn that we turn away from you? Come back, for the sake of those who serve you, for the sake of the people who have always been yours. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/63.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why, LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts, so that we do not fear you? Turn back for the sake of your servants, for the sake of the tribes that are your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/63.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/63.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why, LORD, do you make us stray from your ways, and make our minds stubborn so that we do not obey you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/63.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />O LORD, why do you make us to stray from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/63.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thy inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/63.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />O Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/63.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why cause us to wander, O YHWH, from Your ways? You harden our heart from Your fear, "" Turn back for Your servants’ sake, "" The tribes of Your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/63.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why causest Thou us to wander, O Jehovah, from Thy ways? Thou hardenest our heart from Thy fear, Turn back for Thy servants' sake, The tribes of Thine inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/63.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore, O Jehovah, wilt thou cause us to wander from thy ways, wilt thou harden our heart from thy fear? turn back for sake of thy servants, the tribes of thine inheritance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/63.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why hast thou made us to err, O Lord, from thy ways: why hast thou hardened our heart, that we should not fear thee? return for the sake of thy servants, the tribes of thy inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/63.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why have you allowed us to stray from your ways, O Lord? Why have you hardened our heart, so that we do not fear you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/63.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why do you make us wander, LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we do not fear you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/63.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do you make us stray from your ways and harden our heart, so that we do not fear you? Turn back for the sake of your servants, for the sake of the tribes that are your heritage.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/63.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy way and hardened our heart so as not to reverence thee? Return, for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thy heritage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/63.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why have you made us wander, LORD JEHOVAH, from your road, and you hardened our heart from your awe? Return, because of your Servants, the tribes of your inheritance<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/63.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />O LORD, why dost Thou make us to err from Thy ways, And hardenest our heart from Thy fear? Return for Thy servants' sake, The tribes of Thine inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/63.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Why hast thou caused us to err, O Lord, from thy way? <i>and</i> has hardened our hearts, that we should not fear thee? Return for thy servants' sake, for the sake of the tribes of thine inheritance,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/63-17.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=14002" 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/63.htm">A Prayer for Mercy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8582.htm" title="8582: ṯaṯ·‘ê·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms:: 1cp) -- To err. A primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. Reel or stray; also causative of both.">do You make us stray</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·də·rā·ḵe·ḵā (Prep-m:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">from Your ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/7188.htm" title="7188: taq·šî·aḥ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To make hard, treat roughly. A primitive root; to be unfeeling.">and harden</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bê·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">our hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/3374.htm" title="3374: mî·yir·’ā·ṯe·ḵā (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A fear. Feminine of yare'; fear; morally, reverence.">from fearing You?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: ūḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Return,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Prep) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">for the sake</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">of Your servants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">the tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lā·ṯe·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">of Your heritage.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary.…<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="/romans/9-18.htm">Romans 9:18</a></span><br />Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Exodus 4:21</a></span><br />The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-30.htm">Deuteronomy 2:30</a></span><br />But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-11.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:11-12</a></span><br />For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-28</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22-23</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/14-9.htm">Ezekiel 14:9</a></span><br />But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/18-21.htm">2 Chronicles 18:21-22</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Mark 4:11-12</a></span><br />He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, / so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a></span><br />In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a></span><br />‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O LORD, why have you made us to err from your ways, and hardened our heart from your fear? Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance.</p><p class="hdg">why</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-10.htm">Psalm 119:10,36</a></b></br> With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/141-4.htm">Psalm 141:4</a></b></br> Incline not my heart to <i>any</i> evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/14-7.htm">Ezekiel 14:7-9</a></b></br> For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: … </p><p class="hdg">and hardened</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a></b></br> Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-30.htm">Deuteronomy 2:30</a></b></br> But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as <i>appeareth</i> this day.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/11-20.htm">Joshua 11:20</a></b></br> For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, <i>and</i> that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.</p><p class="hdg">return</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/10-36.htm">Numbers 10:36</a></b></br> And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1,2</a></b></br> Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast <i>us</i> off for ever? <i>why</i> doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/80-14.htm">Psalm 80:14</a></b></br> Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-11.htm">Causest</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Err</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-10.htm">Fearing</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Harden</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-31.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-13.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-7.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-7.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-4.htm">Making</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-19.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-1.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/isaiah/61-6.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">Stray</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-15.htm">Wander</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-8.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-8.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/64-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-14.htm">Causest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-13.htm">Err</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-2.htm">Fearing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-20.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-26.htm">Harden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-14.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-9.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-7.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-3.htm">Making</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-8.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-11.htm">Stray</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-24.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Wander</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-22.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/isaiah/64-4.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 63</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Christ shows who he is</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-2.htm">What his victory over his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-7.htm">And what his mercy toward his church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">In his just wrath he remembers his free mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">The church, in her prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">And complaint, professes her faith</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/63.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/63.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep lament and questioning of God's role in the spiritual state of the people. It echoes the themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility found throughout Scripture. The Israelites often struggled with idolatry and disobedience, leading to their straying from God's commandments. This question can be seen in light of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where disobedience led to divine discipline. Theologically, it raises questions about God's permissive will and the consequences of human sin.<p><b>and harden our hearts from fearing You?</b><br>The hardening of hearts is a recurring biblical theme, notably seen in the story of Pharaoh in Exodus. It suggests a judicial act of God in response to persistent rebellion. In the context of Isaiah, it reflects the spiritual blindness and stubbornness of the people, which prevents them from revering God. This hardening can be understood as both a consequence of sin and a divine act that serves a greater purpose in God's redemptive plan.<p><b>Return, for the sake of Your servants,</b><br>This plea for God to return signifies a desire for restoration and renewal of the covenant relationship. It reflects the hope for divine intervention and mercy. The term "servants" often refers to the faithful remnant within Israel, those who remain loyal to God despite the nation's overall apostasy. This echoes the prayers of other prophets and leaders, such as Moses and Daniel, who interceded for the people.<p><b>the tribes of Your heritage.</b><br>The reference to "tribes" emphasizes the collective identity of Israel as God's chosen people, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob. It highlights the historical and covenantal significance of Israel's identity and God's promises to the patriarchs. The term "heritage" underscores the idea of Israel as God's possession, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament. This plea for God to remember His covenant with the tribes is a call for the fulfillment of His promises and the restoration of His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who authored the book of Isaiah, delivering messages from God to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Isaiah is speaking, often characterized by their covenant relationship with God and their frequent lapses into idolatry and disobedience.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, depicted as the sovereign Lord who guides and disciplines His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_sovereignty_and_human_responsibility.htm">Understanding Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17</a> raises the complex issue of God's sovereignty in allowing hearts to be hardened. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate plan and purpose, even when it is difficult to understand.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_a_soft_heart.htm">The Importance of a Soft Heart</a></b><br>The verse serves as a reminder to maintain a tender heart towards God. Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial to prevent spiritual hardening.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_divine_guidance.htm">Prayer for Divine Guidance</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites pleaded for God to return and guide them, believers today should continually seek God's direction and presence in their lives through prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_spiritual_growth.htm">The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth</a></b><br>The communal nature of the plea in <a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17</a> highlights the importance of fellowship and accountability within the body of Christ to encourage spiritual growth and prevent hardening of hearts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_63.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 63</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'hashem'_mean.htm">Will any weapon formed against you prosper?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_isaiah_37_and_2_kings_19_differ.htm">Why do Isaiah 37:33-35 and parallel biblical accounts (e.g., 2 Kings 19) differ in describing Sennacherib's retreat and the exact nature of the Assyrian defeat?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_56_6-7_fit_earlier_covenants.htm">How does Isaiah 56:6-7 reconcile with verses that depict Israel's exclusive covenant in earlier chapters of Isaiah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_jesus'_life_and_teachings_fulfill_god.htm">How does Jesus' life and teachings fulfill God's promise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/63.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Why hast thou made us to err . . .</span>--The prophet identifies himself with his people, and speaks as in their name. Have their sins led God to abandon them, and to harden their hearts as He hardened Pharaoh's? (Comp. <a href="/context/romans/9-17.htm" title="For the scripture said to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.">Romans 9:17-22</a>.) Are they given over as to a reprobate mind? Against that thought he finds refuge, where only men can find it, in prayer, and in pleading God's promise and the "election of grace," to which He at least remains faithful, though men are faithless. Conscious that they have no power without Him to return to Him, they can ask Him to return to them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/63.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why hast thou made us to err from thy ways?</span> Confession is here mingled with a kind of reproach. They have erred and strayed from God's ways, they ' allow; but why has he permitted it? Why has he, the shepherd of his flock (<a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-10.htm">Isaiah 49:10</a>), not restrained his wandering sheep, and kept them in his "ways "or "paths" ? The reproach borders on irreverence, but is kept within the limits of piety by the affection and trust that underlie it. They are like wayward children reproaching a tender mother, not quite believing in the justice of their reproaches, but with a very confident faith in her love and in her power to aid. They entertain no doubt but that God will "return" to them, and acknowledge them as his sheep, and resume their guidance and direction. <span class="cmt_word">And hardened our heart</span> (comp. <a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Exodus 4:21</a>; <a href="/exodus/7-3.htm">Exodus 7:3</a>; <a href="/exodus/9-12.htm">Exodus 9:12</a>; <a href="/exodus/10-1.htm">Exodus 10:1</a>), "When men have scornfully and obstinately rejected the grace of God, God withdraws it from them judicially, gives them up to their wanderings, and makes their hearts incapable of faith" (Delitzsch). If the process has not gone very far, God may relent, and "return," and soften the proud heart, and renew in it "his fear." This is what Israel now entreats him to do. <span class="cmt_word">For</span> <span class="cmt_word">thy servants'sake.</span> There was always "a remnant" in the worst times, which had not" bowed the knee to Baal." This was God's true "inheritance," which he might be expected to protect and aid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/63-17.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">Why,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֣מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do You make us stray</span><br /><span class="heb">תַתְעֵ֤נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯaṯ·‘ê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8582.htm">Strong's 8582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To vacillate, reel, stray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Your ways</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדְּרָכֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mid·də·rā·ḵe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] harden</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּקְשִׁ֥יחַ</span> <span class="translit">(taq·šî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7188.htm">Strong's 7188: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make hard, treat roughly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our hearts</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֵּ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from fearing You?</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיִּרְאָתֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yir·’ā·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3374.htm">Strong's 3374: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fear, reverence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Return,</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁ֚וּב</span> <span class="translit">(ūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the sake</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֣עַן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Your servants,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the tribes</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְטֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·ṭê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Your heritage.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַחֲלָתֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(na·ḥă·lā·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 63:17 O Yahweh why do you make us (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 63:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 63:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/63-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 63:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 63:18" /></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>