Isaiah 57:17

For the iniquity of his covetousness The mention of "covetousness" as the typical sin of the community here addressed affords some support to the theory that the post-exilic Jews are referred to. See Haggai 1:2; Haggai 1:9; Malachi 1:8; Malachi 1:13-14; Malachi 3:8; Nehemiah 5. These passages shew that a sordid, avaricious spirit was characteristic of the returned exiles, although on the other hand Jeremiah 6:13 shews that it was prevalent before the Captivity (cf. Ezekiel 33:31). The same feature is touched on in ch. Isaiah 56:11 and in ch. 58. The significant thing is that it is specified as the besetting sin of the time, and this again appears to indicate that the people spoken of are distinct from those who were guilty of the more heinous offences enumerated in Isaiah 57:5.

covetousnessis strictly "gain"; (Genesis 37:26) then unjust gain.

I hid me, and was wroth hiding myself in my wrath (lit. "hiding and being wroth"; see Davidson's Syntax, § 87 R. 1).

and he went on frowardly (cf. Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 31:22; Jeremiah 49:4) lit. "turning away" (R.V. marg.). The meaning can hardly be that the effect of punishment was to harden the people in sin, and that thereforeJehovah desists from it. The clause does not give the consequence of the chastisement, but continues the description of the sinful life of the people which had drawn forth the Divine anger.