Bible Strands
Isaiah 3:9
The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Prophet Isaiah addresses Judah and Jerusalem at a moment of impending judgment, immediately after recording their defiance of God's presence and just before contrasting their fate with the righteous.
The words — The text highlights כִחֵ֑דוּ (khi.Che.du) = they have hidden [it] and הִגִּ֖ידוּ (hi.Gi.du) = they have declared, showing the people openly broadcast their guilt rather concealing it.
The thread — This pattern of shameless sin matches the description of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 and Genesis 18:20, and echoes the lack of shame condemned in Jeremiah 6:15.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that public defiance of God carries inevitable consequences, requiring readers to examine whether they are concealing rebellion or openly flaunting it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Cross-references
- Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.
- Genesis 18:20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,
- Jeremiah 6:15 Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.
- Genesis 19:5 They called out to Lot, saying, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have relations with them!”
- 1 Samuel 15:32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
- 2 Kings 9:30 Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.
- Psalms 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.
- Psalms 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
- Proverbs 8:36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
- Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—