What did the word translated 'corrupt' mean in Isaiah 1:22?
The word translated "corrupt" in Isaiah 1:22 referred to a huckster or peddler who hawked wares, specifically someone selling or hawking an adulterated product. It did not merely mean something beginning to spoil, as English "corruption" often suggests. Instead, it pictured a dishonest vendor.
Les explains that the Greek term K-A-P-A-L-Y-O-U from the Septuagint meant a huckster, or one who would hawk his wares, and that from Isaiah 1:22 it meant someone selling or hawking an adulterated product. The English word "corrupt" does not really show this, since people usually think of corruption as something that has begun to spoil. In Isaiah chapter 1, Isaiah is coming down on the nation of Israel because of their sin and wickedness. Verse 21 describes how the faithful city had become a harlot; it had been full of judgment and righteousness, but now had murderers. This refers to Jerusalem. At one time it had been a righteous city, and the Jewish people were obedient to the Mosaic Law and the system, but they had become so wicked that the city once full of righteousness was now full of murderers. Verse 22 contains the word translated "corrupt" in 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: