Isaiah 1:13

Isaiah 1:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me— your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

King James Version KJV

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

American Standard Version ASV

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Give me no more false offerings; the smoke of burning flesh is disgusting to me, so are your new moons and Sabbaths and your holy meetings.

Free Bible Version FBV

Don't bring me any more meaningless offerings; your incense is offensive to me. Your new moon festivals and Sabbath observations and your calling of special religious meetings—I can't stand them because they're evil, as are your solemn assemblies.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Bring no more oblations, in vaine: incense is an abomination vnto me: I can not suffer your newe moones, nor Sabbaths, nor solemne dayes (it is iniquitie) nor solemne assemblies.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Add not to bring in a vain present, Incense — an abomination it [is] to Me, New moon, and sabbath, calling of convocation! Rendure not iniquity — and a restraint!

World English Bible WEB

Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I can’t stand evil assemblies.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me. The new moons, and the sabbaths, and other festivals I will not abide, your assemblies are wicked.

Translation for Translators T4T

Stop bringing to me those offerings, because they are useless to me; I am disgusted with the incense that the priests burn. And your feasts to celebrate the new moon each month and your ◄Sabbath days/days of rest► and your other festivals— I detest them because of the wicked things that you do.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 1:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 1:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB לֹ֣א תוֹסִ֗יפוּ הָבִיא֙ מִנְחַת שָׁ֔וְא קְטֹ֧רֶת תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה הִ֖יא לִ֑/י חֹ֤דֶשׁ וְ/שַׁבָּת֙ קְרֹ֣א מִקְרָ֔א לֹא אוּכַ֥ל אָ֖וֶן וַ/עֲצָרָֽה

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תוֹסִ֗יפוּ yâçaph H3254 to add V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp

הָבִיא֙ bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Hiphil-Inf-a

מִנְחַת minchâh H4503 offering N-fs

שָׁ֔וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 vanity N-ms

קְטֹ֧רֶת qᵉṭôreth H7004 incense N-fs

תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה tôwʻêbah H8441 abomination N-fs

הִ֖יא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

לִ֑/י Prep | Suff

חֹ֤דֶשׁ chôdesh H2320 month N-ms

וְ/שַׁבָּת֙ shabbâth H7676 Sabbath Conj | N-cs

קְרֹ֣א qârâʼ H7121 to call V-Qal-Inf-a

מִקְרָ֔א miqrâʼ H4744 assembly N-ms

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

אוּכַ֥ל yâkôl H3201 be able V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

אָ֖וֶן ʼâven H205 evil N-ms

וַ/עֲצָרָֽה ʻătsârâh H6116 assembly Conj | N-fs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 1:13

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תוֹסִ֗יפוּ yâçaph H3254 "to add" V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp

To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.

Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.

הָבִיא֙ bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Hiphil-Inf-a

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

מִנְחַת minchâh H4503 "offering" N-fs

The Hebrew word for offering refers to a gift or donation, often given to God as a sacrifice. In Leviticus 2:1, it describes a grain offering. It can also mean tribute or present.

Definition: : offering/sacrifice 1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering

Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. See also: Genesis 4:3; Numbers 29:28; Psalms 20:4.

שָׁ֔וְא shâvᵉʼ H7723 "vanity" N-ms

Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.

Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.

קְטֹ֧רֶת qᵉṭôreth H7004 "incense" N-fs

Incense refers to a sweet smoke from burning sacrifices, used in worship and perfume. It symbolizes a pleasing aroma to God, found in Leviticus and other books.

Definition: 1) incense, smoke, odour of (burning) sacrifice 1a) sweet smoke of sacrifice 1b) incense 1c) perfume

Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (sweet) incense, perfume. See also: Exodus 25:6; Numbers 7:50; Psalms 66:15.

תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה tôwʻêbah H8441 "abomination" N-fs

The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.

Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)

Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.

הִ֖יא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

לִ֑/י "" Prep | Suff

חֹ֤דֶשׁ chôdesh H2320 "month" N-ms

The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.

Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month

Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.

וְ/שַׁבָּת֙ shabbâth H7676 "Sabbath" Conj | N-cs

The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:8-11 and observed by the Israelites. It is a special day set apart for spiritual renewal and reflection, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:1-14.

Definition: Sabbath 1a) sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)

Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] every) sabbath. See also: Exodus 16:23; 2 Chronicles 2:3; Psalms 92:1.

קְרֹ֣א qârâʼ H7121 "to call" V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.

Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.

מִקְרָ֔א miqrâʼ H4744 "assembly" N-ms

In the Bible, this word refers to a public gathering or assembly, like a convocation or sacred meeting. It is used to describe a calling together of people for a specific purpose. The word is used in various contexts, including religious and community gatherings.

Definition: 1) convocation, convoking, reading, a calling together 1a) convocation, sacred assembly 1b) convoking 1c) reading

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: assembly, calling, convocation, reading. See also: Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:37; Isaiah 1:13.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

אוּכַ֥ל yâkôl H3201 "be able" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.

Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)

Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.

אָ֖וֶן ʼâven H205 "evil" N-ms

This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.

Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.

וַ/עֲצָרָֽה ʻătsârâh H6116 "assembly" Conj | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a solemn assembly or a sacred meeting, often held on a festival or holiday. It appears in the book of Leviticus, describing a gathering of the Israelites. The word is used to describe a special and important event.

Definition: 1) assembly, solemn assembly 1a) assembly (sacred or festive meeting) 1b) assemblage, company, group

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: (solemn) assembly (meeting). See also: Leviticus 23:36; Nehemiah 8:18; Isaiah 1:13.

Study Notes — Isaiah 1:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 1:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:13
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:13
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13
Sermons on Isaiah 1:13

Context — Meaningless Offerings

11“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you— this trampling of My courts?

13Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

14I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 66:3	Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
2	Malachi 1:10	“Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.
3	Matthew 15:9	They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”
4	Ezekiel 20:39	And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
5	Lamentations 2:6	He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth; He has destroyed His place of meeting. The LORD has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and Sabbaths. In His fierce anger He has despised both king and priest.
6	Joel 2:15	Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly.
7	1 Chronicles 23:31	Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, they were to serve regularly before the LORD in the numbers prescribed for them.
8	Deuteronomy 16:1–22	Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. No leaven is to be found in all your land for seven days, and none of the meat you sacrifice in the evening of the first day shall remain until morning. You are not to sacrifice the Passover animal in any of the towns that the LORD your God is giving you. You must only offer the Passover sacrifice at the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name. Do this in the evening as the sun sets, at the same time you departed from Egypt. And you shall roast it and eat it in the place the LORD your God will choose, and in the morning you shall return to your tents. For six days you must eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day you shall hold a solemn assembly to the LORD your God, and you must not do any work. You are to count off seven weeks from the time you first put the sickle to the standing grain. And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and carefully follow these statutes. You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete. Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you. You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.
9	Proverbs 21:27	The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
10	Ephesians 4:30	And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Isaiah 1:13 Summary

In Isaiah 1:13, God tells the people to stop bringing Him their worthless offerings because they are not coming to Him with pure hearts. He wants us to worship Him with sincerity and honesty, not just going through the motions (as seen in Matthew 15:8-9, where Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13, saying that the people honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him). When we come to God with sin in our hearts, it is like an insult to His holiness. We need to come to God with humility and a willingness to repent and obey Him, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where it is written that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when God says our offerings are worthless?

When God says our offerings are worthless, He is not rejecting the act of giving itself, but rather the heart and intentions behind it, as seen in Isaiah 1:13, where He rejects the people's sacrifices because they are offered with iniquity in their hearts, similar to what is written in Amos 5:21-24, where God rejects the people's festivals and sacrifices because of their disobedience to His laws.

Why does God say He cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly?

God says He cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly because He is a holy God who demands purity and righteousness from His people, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45, and when we gather to worship Him with sinful hearts, it is an affront to His holiness, as seen in Hebrews 10:31, where it is written that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

What is the significance of God rejecting the people's New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations?

The significance of God rejecting the people's New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations is that these were special times and gatherings that the people were supposed to use to honor and worship God, but instead, they were using them as opportunities to sin and disobey God, as seen in Isaiah 1:14, where God says He hates their New Moons and appointed feasts because they have become a burden to Him.

How can we apply the lesson of Isaiah 1:13 to our own lives?

We can apply the lesson of Isaiah 1:13 to our own lives by examining our hearts and motivations when we come to worship God, making sure that we are not harboring sin or iniquity in our hearts, and seeking to offer God pure and acceptable worship, as stated in Romans 12:1-2, where we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I may be offering God 'worthless offerings' in my own life, and how can I make sure that my worship is pure and acceptable to Him?
How can I cultivate a heart of purity and righteousness, so that I can worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him?
What are some 'solemn assemblies' in my life, such as church gatherings or personal devotions, where I need to be careful to avoid iniquity and seek God's presence with a pure heart?
What are some things that I can do to make sure that my worship is not just a ritual or a tradition, but a genuine expression of my love and devotion to God?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more vain oblations,.... As all such were, which were offered up without faith in Christ, in hypocrisy, and with dependence on them for pardon and atonement, and particularly when put an end

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more; I neither desire nor will accept of any upon these terms. Oblations, Heb. meat-offerings; of which see . Incense is an abomination, unto me; so far is it from being a sweet savour to me, as you foolishly imagine. The new moons; which were holy to God, and observed with great solemnity. See ,14 Psalms 81:3. The calling of assemblies; all other solemn times wherein the people were obliged to meet together, as the three great yearly feasts, and other extraordinary seasons. I cannot away with, Heb. I cannot bear; it is burdensome and grievous to me. It is also iniquity; so far is it from pleasing me, that it is an offence to me; and instead of reconciling me to you, which is your design, it provoketh me more against you. The solemn meeting; the most solemn day of each of the three feasts, which was the last day, which is called by this very name, , and elsewhere; although the word be sometimes more generally used of any other solemn festival day.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13

Isaiah 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.Ver. 13. Bring no more vain oblations.] Vain, because unacceptable, ineffectual, unsubstantial. Epitheton argumentosum, saith Piscator. Lip labour is lost labour, for God is not mocked with shadows of service; his sharp nose easily discerneth and is offended with the stinking breath of the hypocrite’ s rotten lungs, though his words be never so scented and perfumed with shows of holiness. Hence it is added, Incense is an abomination unto me,] sc., Because it stinketh of the hand that offereth it. Incense of itself was a sweet and precious perfume, compounded of the best odours and spices. In the incense of faithful prayer also, how many sweet spices are burnt together by the fire of faith, as humility, hope, love, &c., all which come up for a memorial before God, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ. But it is otherwise with the wicked, whose carnal heart is like some fen or bog, and every prayer thence proceeding is as an evil vapour reeking and rising from that dunghill. Never did those five cities of the plain send up such poisonous smells to heaven, which God, being not able to abide, sent down upon them a counter poison of fire and brimstone. I cannot away with.] Heb., "I cannot," by an angry aposiopesis; " I cannot" - that is, I cannot behold, bear with, or forbear to punish, as Oecolampadius maketh the supply to be. It is iniquity.] Or, An affliction, a grievance. Yea, it is a "vexation," as some render the next word - viz., "your solemn meeting."

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13

(13) Bring no more vain oblations.—These were of the minchah class, the “meat-offerings,” or, more properly, meal-offerings of Lev 7:9-12. This, with its symbolic accompaniment of incense (Isaiah 66:3), was the characteristic feature of the thank-offerings and peace-offerings. Incense is an abomination.—The Hebrew word is not that usually translated “incense,” and is found in Psalms 66:15 (“incense,” or sweet smoke, “of rams”), in connection with animal sacrifice. There does not appear, however, any adequate reason why we should take the minchah in any but its usual sense of meal-offering. The prophet brings together all the chief ritual phrases without an elaborate attention to the details connected with them. The new moons and sabbaths . . .—The classification agrees with that of 2 Chronicles 8:13 : sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts.” (Comp. Hosea 2:11). The term “convocation,” or “assembly,” was specially applied to the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:7; Leviticus 23:21; Leviticus 23:27). The religious revival under Hezekiah brought all these into a fresh prominence (2 Chronicles 31:3). In Colossians 2:16 they appear together as belonging to the Judaising Essene Christians of the apostolic age. It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.—The Hebrew construction has the abruptness of indignation: “The new moon and sabbaths, and calling of assemblies . . . iniquity with a solemn assembly I cannot bear. This was what made the crowded courts of the Temple hateful to the messenger of Jehovah. “Iniquity” was there. The character of a ruling caste is not changed in a day, and the lives of rulers and judges were under Hezekiah as they had been in the days of Ahaz, or at least in those of Uzziah.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13

Verse 13. The new moons and Sabbaths - "The fast and the day of restraint"] און ועצרה aven vaatsarah. These words are rendered in many different manners by different interpreters, to a good and probable sense by all; but I think by none in such a sense as can arise from the phrase itself, agreeably to the idiom of the Hebrew language. Instead of און aven, the Septuagint manifestly read צום tsom, νηστειαν, "the fast." This Houbigant has adopted. The prophet could not well have omitted the fast in the enumeration of their solemnities, nor the abuse of it among the instances of their hyprocrisy, which he has treated at large with such force and elegance in his fifty-eighth chapter. Observe, also, that the prophet Joel, (Joe 1:14; Joe 2:15,) twice joins together the fast and the day of restraint: - עצרה קראו צום קדשו atsarah kiru tsom kaddeshu "Sanctify a fast; proclaim a day of restraint:" which shows how properly they are here joined together. עצרה atsarah, "the restraint," is rendered, both here and in other places of our English translation, "the solemn assembly." Certain holy days ordained by the law were distinguished by a particular charge that "no servile work should be done therein;" Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:8. This circumstance clearly explains the reason of the name, the restraint, or the day of restraint, given to those days. If I could approve of any translation of these two words which I have met with, it should be that of the Spanish version of the Old Testament, made for the use of the Spanish Jews: Tortura y detenimento, "it is a pain and a constraint unto me." But I still think that the reading of the Septuagint is more probably the truth.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 1:13

13. oblations] The word is technically used of the meal-offering, but may embrace sacrificial gifts of every description (Genesis 4:4). incense is an abomination] Or (according to the Hebrew accentuation), “it is abominable incense to me.” The word “incense” meant originally the sacrificial smoke. new moon and sabbath (R.V.). Cf. 1 Samuel 20:5; 1 Samuel 20:24; 2 Kings 4:23; Amos 8:5; Hosea 2:11; Numbers 28:11, &c.; Exodus 20:8; Genesis 2:2-3, &c. assemblies (lit. “calling together”) is the word rendered “convocation” in the Pent. (see esp. Leviticus 23). it is iniquity … meeting] Render as R.V. I cannot away with (endure) iniquity and the solemn meeting (festal gathering), i.e. the combination of the two. The construction is still harsh (but see a somewhat similar combination in 1 Samuel 15:23). LXX. has “fasting and idleness”; apparently ητm wμ‘aηlβh. The true reading may have been ητm wa‘ǎ ?ηβrβh, “fasting and solemn assembly” (Joe 1:14; Joe 2:15). solemn meeting] (=“throng,” Jeremiah 9:2), cf. 2 Kings 10:20; Amos 5:21; Joe 1:14. A slightly different form is used in the Law for the great gathering on the last day of the feasts of Passover and Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:36; Deuteronomy 16:8, &c.). The original meaning of the word is probably “tempus clausum.” (See Robertson Smith, Rel. of the Semites, Revd. Ed. p. 456.)

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more - God does not intend absolutely to forbid this kind of worship, but he expresses his strong abhorrence of the manner in which it was done.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 1:13

13. Vain oblations — The Minchah — an offering of meal to go with the “burnt offering;” this is here termed “vain,” because an undevout, empty performance.

Sermons on Isaiah 1:13

	Sermon	Description
	(Divine Attributes) 10 the Awesome Knowledge of the Holy by Denny Kenaston	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God's holiness and its importance in understanding His mercy and love. He emphasizes that God's holiness is awe-inspiring and
	Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again?" a Must Hear Message! by Shane Idleman	In this video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and understanding what love truly means. He shares a personal story of realizing his own selfishness and
	(Galatians) Ch4:8-Ch5:13 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the concept of being a child of God and the responsibility that comes with it. He emphasizes that although we may call God our Father and liv
	God Requires Honesty and Compassion - Part 2 by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine worship and treating others with fairness and mercy. It highlights God's displeasure with insincere religious practices and the nee
	Delight Ourselves in the Lord by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith encourages listeners to delight themselves in the Lord and put their trust in Him. He emphasizes the power of God to transform lives and bring pe
	A Time for Everything Part 2 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith explores the book of Ecclesiastes, specifically focusing on chapter 3, verse 12. He begins by acknowledging the fleeting nature of life and the e
	Forms of Godliness vs. Conformity to Christ by Elliott Nesch	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that we don't have to save the world because God has it under control. He encourages believers to be faithful in the little things that God