What did the word mean in Isaiah 1:22?
In Isaiah 1:22, the word meant someone selling or hawking an adulterated product, linked to the Greek term meaning a huckster or one who hawks wares. It is the same term translated “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17, describing corrupt commerce rather than merely something spoiled.
Les explains that the Greek word kapeleuo, from the Septuagint, meant a huckster or one who would hawk his wares. He connects this to Isaiah 1:22, where the word meant someone selling or hawking an adulterated product. The English word “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17 does not fully show this, because we usually think of corruption as something that has begun to spoil. In Isaiah chapter 1, Isaiah is coming down on Israel because of their sin and wickedness. Verse 21 describes the faithful city becoming a harlot, once full of judgment and righteousness but now full of murderers. That city is Jerusalem, which had been righteous when the Jewish people were obedient to the Mosaic Law, but had become wicked. This leads into verse 22 and the word translated “corrupt” in 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: