Isaiah 29:21

That make a man an offender for a word The verb rendered "make an offender" usually means "lead into sin" (Exodus 23:33; Ecclesiastes 5:6, &c.); and is so understood in R.V. marg. "make men to offend by their words." Here, however, the second part of the verse seems to shew that it is used in a declarative sense ("make a man out to be an offender"). for a wordshould be translated either by a (false) word; or (as R.V.) in a cause.

him that reproveth in the gate (cf. Amos 5:10). The person indicated may be either a judge ("umpire, as Job 9:33) or a private individual who stands up for justice in the place of public assembly.

turn aside the just(from his right, ch. Isaiah 10:2; Amos 5:12) for a thing of nought rather, as R.V. with a thing of nought, "on an empty pretext."