Isaiah 32:6 warns that foolish talk and wicked intent lead to neglect of those in need and ultimately to straying from the Lord.
When the prophet Isaiah describes the behavior of someone who lacks wisdom, he begins with the vivid statement, “For a fool speaks nonsense, And his heart inclines toward wickedness: To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD, To keep the hungry person unsatisfied, And to withhold drink from the thirsty” (v.6). This verse exposes those who choose folly and selfishness rather than walking in reverence and obedience to God. Isaiah, who prophesied in the kingdom of Judah between around 740 and 681 BC, recognized the destructive nature of foolish words and the inward inclination that leads to unholy actions. In addition to speaking what is false, the fool’s heart is set on contributing to suffering by denying basic needs such as food and water.
The spiritual condition Isaiah condemns is not just an external act but an inward state of moral corruption. By saying the fool’s heart “inclines toward wickedness,”“to practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD” (v.6), the prophet underscores that a dismissive attitude toward God soon infects one’s entire way of life. In the New Testament, Jesus contrasts foolishness and wisdom when He teaches that the wise build on a firm foundation of obedience and truth, while the foolish build on sand, leading to inevitable collapse (Matthew 7:24-27). Isaiah’s message resonates with this teaching: the disregard for righteousness leads to harmful words, falsehoods, and neglect of others’ needs.
Furthermore, Isaiah links foolishness to intentional harm when he describes how such a person chooses “to keep the hungry person unsatisfied, and to withhold drink from the thirsty” (v.6). This neglect reveals the fool’s disregard not only for fellow humans in need but also for the divine command to show mercy. God’s instructions throughout Scripture emphasize compassion for the vulnerable, and caring for the hungry and thirsty is echoed especially in Christ’s teachings (Matthew 25:35-40). Isaiah 32:6 thus calls its readers to evaluate both their words and their hearts, ensuring that speech and deeds align with God’s righteousness rather than with folly.
Set to dark mode
Isaiah 32:6 meaning
When the prophet Isaiah describes the behavior of someone who lacks wisdom, he begins with the vivid statement, “For a fool speaks nonsense, And his heart inclines toward wickedness: To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD, To keep the hungry person unsatisfied, And to withhold drink from the thirsty” (v.6). This verse exposes those who choose folly and selfishness rather than walking in reverence and obedience to God. Isaiah, who prophesied in the kingdom of Judah between around 740 and 681 BC, recognized the destructive nature of foolish words and the inward inclination that leads to unholy actions. In addition to speaking what is false, the fool’s heart is set on contributing to suffering by denying basic needs such as food and water.
The spiritual condition Isaiah condemns is not just an external act but an inward state of moral corruption. By saying the fool’s heart “inclines toward wickedness,” “to practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD” (v.6), the prophet underscores that a dismissive attitude toward God soon infects one’s entire way of life. In the New Testament, Jesus contrasts foolishness and wisdom when He teaches that the wise build on a firm foundation of obedience and truth, while the foolish build on sand, leading to inevitable collapse (Matthew 7:24-27). Isaiah’s message resonates with this teaching: the disregard for righteousness leads to harmful words, falsehoods, and neglect of others’ needs.
Furthermore, Isaiah links foolishness to intentional harm when he describes how such a person chooses “to keep the hungry person unsatisfied, and to withhold drink from the thirsty” (v.6). This neglect reveals the fool’s disregard not only for fellow humans in need but also for the divine command to show mercy. God’s instructions throughout Scripture emphasize compassion for the vulnerable, and caring for the hungry and thirsty is echoed especially in Christ’s teachings (Matthew 25:35-40). Isaiah 32:6 thus calls its readers to evaluate both their words and their hearts, ensuring that speech and deeds align with God’s righteousness rather than with folly.