Old Testament
Isaiah 63:17
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
O LORD, why have you caused us to stray from your ways and hardened our hearts from fearing you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.
Compare translations
O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
What Isaiah 63:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the speaker is addressing God, expressing confusion and sorrow over the spiritual state of the people. They feel that God has led them away from His ways and has made their hearts unresponsive to His fear and reverence. The plea is for God to return and help them, emphasizing their identity as His chosen people, the tribes of His inheritance. This reflects a deep longing for restoration and a return to a right relationship with God. The speaker acknowledges their own shortcomings and the need for divine intervention to bring them back to the path of righteousness. The verse highlights the tension between human disobedience and God's faithfulness, as well as the hope for redemption and renewal.
How to apply Isaiah 63:17 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own lives and recognize when we stray from God's ways. It reminds us to seek God's guidance and to be open to His correction. We can pray for a renewed heart that fears and reveres God, acknowledging our dependence on Him for spiritual direction and restoration.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 63:17
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 63:17
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 63:17 mean about straying from God's ways?
Isaiah 63:17 expresses a deep concern for spiritual wandering. The speaker questions why God has allowed His people to stray from His paths and become unresponsive to His fear. This reflects a sense of loss and a desire for divine guidance, emphasizing the importance of staying aligned with God's will and recognizing when we deviate from it.
How can I apply Isaiah 63:17 to my life today?
You can apply Isaiah 63:17 by reflecting on your own spiritual journey and identifying areas where you may have strayed from God's teachings. It encourages you to seek God's guidance through prayer, asking for a renewed heart that is receptive to His will. This verse serves as a reminder to remain humble and open to correction, fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Why does the speaker ask God to return in Isaiah 63:17?
The speaker asks God to return in Isaiah 63:17 out of a deep longing for restoration and help. This plea acknowledges the speaker's recognition of their own shortcomings and the need for divine assistance to return to a right relationship with God. It emphasizes the hope for renewal and the importance of God's presence in the lives of His chosen people.
What themes are present in Isaiah 63:17?
Isaiah 63:17 encompasses several key themes, including divine guidance, the struggle with spiritual straying, the condition of the human heart, and the plea for restoration. It also reflects God's faithfulness to His chosen people and the importance of fearing the Lord. These themes highlight the relationship between human disobedience and the hope for redemption.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.