👉 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really powerful and somewhat unsettling passage from the book of Isaiah. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Overall Meaning: This verse is essentially saying that people who are living in sin will be revealed to others – and they won’t try to hide their wrongdoings. It’s a stark warning about the consequences of sin. Let's unpack each part: “Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them” : This is the core of the verse. "The shew" means “the showing” or “the appearance.” Isaiah, writing in ancient times, used this imagery to describe what people look like . The word "witness" means to observe or testify – so it’s saying that God's eyes are watching them and seeing their actions. “And they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not” : This is the key part. Isaiah compares the people to Sodom – a city described in the Bible as incredibly wicked and corrupt. He says they declare their sins (their wrongdoings) as Sodom. Crucially, he doesn’t try to hide these sins. “Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.” : This is where the judgment comes. “Woe” means sorrow or misfortune. "Their soul" refers to their spirit and being – essentially, their essence. This verse warns that because they’re exposed, they will suffer a terrible consequence. They've gotten what they deserve – they’ll be punished for their wrongdoing. It implies a deep loss of innocence and potential eternal separation from God. In simpler terms: Imagine a group of people who are consistently acting badly – lying, stealing, being unkind. Isaiah is saying that those people will inevitably be discovered by others, and they won't try to cover up their wrongdoings. They’ll be publicly exposed as awful people, and they’ll suffer the full consequences of their actions. It's a warning about the importance of living righteously and avoiding sin. Why is this verse significant? This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy of judgment in the future. It's a reminder that our choices have consequences, and we must strive to live a righteous life to avoid being revealed to God’s judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with examples? Discuss its connection to other biblical stories? Talk about the meaning of "Sodom" in the context of the Bible?
