Isaiah 10:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 10:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!
Isaiah 10:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2to turn aside the needy from justice, and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To turn aside the needy from judgment, &c.] Such laws being made as discouraged them from any application for justice; and, when they did, were harassed with such long, vexatious, and expensive suits, as obliged them to desist, and the cause being generally given against them, and for the rich: and to take away the right from the poor of my people; for not to do justice to the poor is the same as to rob and plunder them, and take away by force what of right belongs to them; wherefore it follows: that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless; who have none to protect and defend them, and whose protectors judges ought to be, in imitation of God, whom civil magistrates…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To turn aside, &c.--The effect of their conduct is to pervert the cause of the needy [HORSLEY]. In English Version "from judgment" means "from obtaining justice." take away the right--"make plunder of the right" (rightful claim) [HORSLEY].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To turn aside - Their sentences have the effect, and are designed to have, to pervert justice, and to oppress the poor, or to deprive them of their rights and just claims; compare Isaiah 29:21; Proverbs 27:5. The needy - daliym - דלים dalı̂ym. Those of humble rank and circumstances; who have no powerful friends and defenders. “From judgment.” From obtaining justice. And to take away - To take away by violence and oppression. The word גזל gāzal, is commonly applied to robbery, and to oppression; to the taking away of spoils in battle, etc. That widows may be their prey - That they may rob widows, or obtain their property. This crime has always been one particularly offensive in the sight of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Judgment - From obtaining a just sentence. Isaiah 10:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“turn aside: Isa 29:21; Lam 3:35; Amo 2:7, Amo 5:11, Amo 5:12; Mal 3:5 that widows: Isa 1:23, Isa 3:14, Isa 5:7; Jer 7:6; Eze 22:7; Mat 23:14 Isaiah 10:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification