Isaiah 1:17 - Exposition

Learn to do well. Now comes the positive; first, in the general form" learn," etc.; which resembles the apostle's "Put on the armor of light" ( Romans 13:12 ). Then follow the particulars. Seek judgment ; or, seek out justice ; i.e. endeavor to get justice done to all men; see that they "have right." Relieve the oppressed. So the LXX ; the Vulgate, the Syriac, and the Chaldean Versions. But the word translated "oppressed" is thought by many to mean "oppressor" (Kimchi, Gesenius, Cheyne). This is certainly its meaning in Psalms 71:4 . Translate, tighten the oppressor ; i.e. correct and chasten him. Judge the fatherless ; rather, do justice to the orphan (Cheyne); see that he is not wronged—be his champion. Plead for the widow ; i.e. plead her cause in the courts; or, if judge, and she have no advocate, lean towards her, as if her advocate. The widow and the orphan were taken under God's special protection from the time of Moses, and constantly commended to the tender care of the righteous ( Exodus 22:22-24 ; Deuteronomy 10:18 ; Deuteronomy 24:17 ; Deuteronomy 27:19 , etc.).