Isaiah 58:3
Isaiah 58:3 in Multiple Translations
“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.
¶ Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors.
They say, Why have we kept ourselves from food, and you do not see it? why have we kept ourselves from pleasure, and you take no note of it? If, in the days when you keep from food, you take the chance to do your business, and get in your debts;
“Didn't you see that we fasted?” they ask. “Didn't you notice how we denied ourselves?” That's because whenever you fast you still do whatever you want, and you treat your workers badly.
Wherefore haue we fasted, and thou seest it not? we haue punished our selues, and thou regardest it not. Beholde, in the day of your fast you will seeke your will, and require all your dettes.
'Why have we fasted, and Thou hast not seen? We have afflicted our soul, and Thou knowest not.' Lo, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, And all your labours ye exact.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’ “Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers.
Why have we fasted, say they , and thou seest not? why have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors.
Why have we fasted, and thou hast not regarded: have we humbled our souls, and thou hast not taken notice? Behold in the day of your fast your own will is found, and you exact of all your debtors.
They say, ‘We have ◄fasted/abstained from eating food► to please you, but you did not [RHQ] notice our doing that. We humbled ourselves, but you did not [RHQ] pay any attention!’ I will tell you why I did not pay attention. It is because when you fast, you do it only to please yourselves, and you act cruelly toward all your workers.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 58:3
BAB
Word Study
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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 58:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לָ֤/מָּה
צַּ֨מְנוּ֙
וְ/לֹ֣א
רָאִ֔יתָ
עִנִּ֥ינוּ
נַפְשֵׁ֖/נוּ
וְ/לֹ֣א
תֵדָ֑ע
הֵ֣ן
בְּ/י֤וֹם
צֹֽמְ/כֶם֙
תִּמְצְאוּ
חֵ֔פֶץ
וְ/כָל
עַצְּבֵי/כֶ֖ם
תִּנְגֹּֽשׂוּ
לָ֤/מָּה
mâh
H4100
what?
Prep | Part
צַּ֨מְנוּ֙
tsûwm
H6684
to fast
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
רָאִ֔יתָ
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
עִנִּ֥ינוּ
ʻânâh
H6031
be occupied
V-Piel-Perf-1cp
נַפְשֵׁ֖/נוּ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
הֵ֣ן
hên
H2005
look!
Part
בְּ/י֤וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
צֹֽמְ/כֶם֙
tsôwm
H6685
fast
N-ms | Suff
תִּמְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
חֵ֔פֶץ
chêphets
H2656
pleasure
N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
עַצְּבֵי/כֶ֖ם
ʻâtsêb
H6092
worker
N-mp | Suff
תִּנְגֹּֽשׂוּ
nâgas
H5065
to oppress
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 58:3
לָ֤/מָּה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
צַּ֨מְנוּ֙
tsûwm
H6684
"to fast"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To fast or abstain from food, often for spiritual reasons. In the Bible, fasting is a way to show devotion to God, as seen in the examples of Moses and Elijah.
Definition: (Qal) to abstain from food, fast
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, fast. See also: Judges 20:26; 1 Kings 21:27; Isaiah 58:3.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | 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.
רָאִ֔יתָ
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
עִנִּ֥ינוּ
ʻânâh
H6031
"be occupied"
V-Piel-Perf-1cp
To afflict or oppress someone, making them feel low or depressed. In the Bible, it can also mean to humble oneself, as seen in Psalm 35:13. It involves being put down or becoming weak.
Definition: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), speak (by mistake for H6030 (עָנָה)), submit self, weaken, [idiom] in any wise. See also: Genesis 15:13; 2 Kings 17:20; Psalms 35:13.
נַפְשֵׁ֖/נוּ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | 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.
תֵדָ֑ע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
הֵ֣ן
hên
H2005
"look!"
Part
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
בְּ/י֤וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
צֹֽמְ/כֶם֙
tsôwm
H6685
"fast"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fast or go without food, often for spiritual reasons. It appears in various forms, such as fasting or a fast. This concept is seen in the lives of prophets and leaders like Moses and Elijah.
Definition: fast, fasting
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: fast(-ing). See also: 2 Samuel 12:16; Isaiah 58:3; Psalms 35:13.
תִּמְצְאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
חֵ֔פֶץ
chêphets
H2656
"pleasure"
N-ms
This word refers to pleasure or delight, often describing something that brings joy or happiness. In the Bible, it can also mean a valuable thing or a desire, like in Psalm 1.
Definition: 1) delight, pleasure 1a) delight 1b) desire, longing 1c) the good pleasure 1d) that in which one takes delight
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Psalms 1:2.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עַצְּבֵי/כֶ֖ם
ʻâtsêb
H6092
"worker"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a hired worker or laborer, like those who built Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 5:13. It refers to someone who works for a living.
Definition: labourer, toiler, labour
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: labour. See also: Isaiah 58:3.
תִּנְגֹּֽשׂוּ
nâgas
H5065
"to oppress"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
To oppress or drive someone, like a taskmaster, and can also mean to exact or harass, as in Exodus 3:7.
Definition: 1) to press, drive, oppress, exact, exert demanding pressure 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to press, drive 1a2) to exact 1a3) driver, taskmaster, ruler, oppressor, tyrant, lord, exactor of tribute (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be hard pressed
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: distress, driver, exact(-or), oppress(-or), [idiom] raiser of taxes, taskmaster. See also: Exodus 3:7; Job 39:7; Isaiah 3:5.
Study Notes — Isaiah 58:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 58:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 58:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 58:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 58:3
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 58:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
- Sermons on Isaiah 58:3
Context — True Fasts and Sabbaths
1“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”
3“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.
4You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. 5Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 18:9–12 | To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ |
| 2 | Malachi 3:14 | You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? |
| 3 | Leviticus 16:29 | This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— |
| 4 | Proverbs 28:9 | Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 5:7 | and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them |
| 6 | Matthew 20:11–12 | On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ |
| 7 | Jonah 3:6–8 | When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. Furthermore, let both man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and have everyone call out earnestly to God. Let each one turn from his evil ways and from the violence in his hands. |
| 8 | Isaiah 22:13 | But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” |
| 9 | Zechariah 7:5–7 | “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it really for Me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not doing so simply for yourselves? Are these not the words that the LORD proclaimed through the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were populous and prosperous, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’” |
| 10 | Matthew 18:28–35 | But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay his debt. When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master. Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” |
Isaiah 58:3 Summary
[Isaiah 58:3 is saying that just going through the motions of fasting and pretending to be humble is not enough for God. He wants our hearts to be truly surrendered to Him, as seen in Matthew 15:8, where it says 'these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' The people in this verse are asking why God is not noticing their fasting, but the problem is that they are still being selfish and hurting others on the day they are supposed to be seeking God. This is not what God intended for fasting, as seen in Joel 2:12-13, where it says to 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' To truly seek God, we need to be willing to let go of our own desires and prioritize His will, as in Romans 12:2, where it says to 'not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'humble ourselves' in Isaiah 58:3?
To humble ourselves means to put aside our pride and recognize our dependence on God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6, where it says to 'humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.'
Why does God say He has not noticed their fasting in Isaiah 58:3?
God says He has not noticed their fasting because their actions do not match their words, as they are still oppressing their workers, which is not in line with God's command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' in Leviticus 19:18.
Is fasting still important if God does not seem to notice?
Yes, fasting is still important as it is a way to draw closer to God and seek His will, as seen in Matthew 6:16-18, where Jesus teaches about fasting as a way to seek God's reward.
What is the difference between true and false humility in the context of Isaiah 58:3?
True humility involves recognizing our sin and seeking God's forgiveness, as in 1 John 1:9, while false humility is just an outward show, as seen in the actions of the people in Isaiah 58:3 who fast but still oppress their workers.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be pretending to be humble, but actually still living for myself?
- How can I ensure that my actions match my words when it comes to seeking God?
- What are some ways I can prioritize the well-being of those around me, especially those who may be oppressed or marginalized?
- What does it mean to 'do as you please' on a day of fasting, and how can I avoid this in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?.... Our fasting; takest no notice of it; expresses no approbation of it, and pleasure in it: this is put for all religious services, being what
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? They complain of hard usage from God, that although they prayed, and fasted, and kept the rest of God’ s ordinances, all which are synecdochically comprehended under the title of fasting, all their labour was lost, and God neither regarded nor delivered them. Afflicted our soul; defrauded and pinched our appetites with fasting, of which this phrase is used, 23:27,29. In the day of your fast; in those solemn days of fasting which I have appointed; or, in those times when I have called you by the course of my providence, and counsels of my prophets, unto fasting, and weeping, and mourning, &c., . Ye find pleasure; either, 1. You indulge yourselves in sensuality, as they did, . But this doth not agree with that afflicting of their souls which they now professed, and which God acknowledgeth, . Or rather, 2. You pursue and satisfy your own lusts; though you abstain from bodily food, you do not mortify your own sinful concupiscences; and when you are restrained from outwards acts, yet even then your thoughts and affections are set upon and working toward those things which gratify your fleshly inclinations and worldly interests. Your labours; your money got by your labour, and lent to others, either for their need, or your own advantage; for labour is oft put for wealth, as , &c.
Heb. your griefs; not passively, those things which are grievous to you; but actively, such as are very grievous and burdensome to others; either hard service, above the strength of your servants, or beyond the time limited by God for their service, of which see an instance, ; or debts, which you require either with usury, or at least with rigour and cruelty, when either the general law of charity, or God’ s particular and positive law, commanded the release, or at least the forbearance, of them; of which see an instance, ,2, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
Isaiah 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.Ver. 3. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?] Here they begin to bluster, and their hypocrisy to blister out at their lips. God, they held, was not a little beholden to them, and now also in arrears with them. For as that heathen emperor said once of his gods, Non sic deos coluimus, ut iste nos vinceret, We have not served our gods, that they should serve us no better than to allow our enemies to get the better of us; so were these proud pretenders ready to say of God Almighty, We have better deserved than to be so served; rated by these prophets, and evil entreated by our enemies; beaten on both sides. A rich chapman, that hath had a good stock and trading, is loath to be a journeyman again; he will be trading, though it be but for pins; so we, bankrupt in Adam, yet will be doing, and think to be saved for a company of poor beggarly duties, dead prayers, formal fastings, &c., and to set off with God by our good deeds for our bad, as the Papists do, and not a few ignorants among us. Behold, in the day of your fast.] Which is called a day of restraint, because therein you should amerce yourselves and abridge yourselves of all sorts of delights. Ye find pleasure.] Ye find your own desire, pleasure, or will; ye gratify your flesh, pursue your sinful lusts and purposes. Grande malum propria voluntas, saith Bernard, qua fit ut bona tua tibi bona non sint. A man’ s own will or pleasure proves a great evil to him many times, making his good duties (fastings, prayers, and the like) no way good to him.
In vain is the body macerated, if men’ s lusts be not mortified. And exact all your labours,] i.e., Your debts and dues with rigour and extremity, not considering that utmost right is utmost wrong; and that, howsoever, you should take another time for such work. Feriis iurgia amovento, brawl not on a holiday, was one of the laws of the Twelve Tables in Rome. Ecce non diu occultant se hypocrisis et superbia. - Oecol. Antonin., Philos. Referente. Chephets significat id quod libet.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
(3) Wherefore have we fasted . . .—The words remind us of those of a much later prophet (Malachi 3:14), but the complaints of the unconscious hypocrites who are amazed that their service is not accepted as sincere are in every age the same. Only one fast, that of the Day of Atonement, was prescribed by the Law. In practice, however, they were often held in times of calamity (comp. Isaiah 32:12; Joe 1:13; 2 Chronicles 20:3),and we may legitimately think of them as having been more or less frequent under Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:1-2). Now, as though that had been a meritorious work, the people ask what good had come of it? After the exile fasts were instituted, commemorative of the siege of Jerusalem, its capture, its destruction, and the murder of Gedaliah (Zechariah 7:3; Zechariah 8:19), and those who maintain the later date of the book naturally suppose that these are the fasts referred to. In the day of your fast ye find pleasure . . .—Better, ye carry on your business. Fasts were not governed, like the Sabbath, by a fixed law, and the people consequently lost sight of the true end of fasting—prayer, meditation, penitence. Exact all your labours.—The words are rendered by some critics more vividly, though with the same meaning, ye oppress all your labourers. (Comp.
James 5:4.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
Verse 3. Have we adopted our soul - "Have we afflicted our souls"] Twenty-seven MSS. (six ancient) of Dr. Kennicott's, thirty-six of De Rossi's, and two of my own, and the old edition of 1488 have the noun in the plural number, נפשינו naphsheynu, our souls; and so the Septuagint, Chaldee, and Vulgate. This reading is undoubtedly genuine. In the day of your fast ye find pleasure] Fast days are generally called holidays, and holidays are days of idleness and pleasure. In numberless cases the fast is turned into a feast. And exact all your labours.] Some disregard the most sacred fast, and will oblige their servant to work all day long; others use fast days for the purpose of settling their accounts, posting up their books, and drawing out their bills to be ready to collect their debts. These are sneaking hypocrites; the others are daringly irreligious.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 58:3
3. The first half of the verse expresses the people’s sense of disappointment at the failure of their efforts to win the favour of Jehovah; the second half begins the prophet’s exposure of their hypocrisy. There is an incipient Pharisaism in their evident expectation that by external works of righteousness they would hasten the coming of the Messianic salvation. The prophet also maintains that salvation is conditioned by righteousness on the part of the people; but he insists that the righteousness which secures the fulfilment of the promises is ethical righteousness, not the mechanical observance of ceremonial forms. have we afflicted our soul] see below on Isaiah 58:5. you find pleasure] Rather business (see on ch. Isaiah 44:28), i.e. “you find opportunity to do a profitable stroke of business.” Cf. Isaiah 58:13. and exact all your labours] Or, as R.V. marg., and oppress all your labourers. According to the law of Lev 16:29 a fast implied universal cessation of work, but these men while fasting themselves, extorted from their slaves and hired servants their full tale of work. On slavery in the post-exilic community see Nehemiah 5:5. The translation “labourers” is somewhat uncertain; the word does not occur elsewhere in this sense.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted - They had fasted much, evidently with the expectation of delivering themselves from impending calamities, and securing the divine favor.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3
3, 4. Wherefore have we fasted, (say they,) and thou seest not — They turn to complaining of God. He does not honour their work-righteousness; does not see it; gives it no attention. The answer is, Ye deserve it not.
Sermons on Isaiah 58:3
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Through the Bible) Zechariah 6-10 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of a change of heart and how it is only achieved through being born again. He emphasizes that while people may change their minds |
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Episodes in Life of T/lord 08 Healing on the Sabbath by Robert Constable | In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration involving a man with a withered hand to emphasize the importance of true commitment to Christ. He highlights the tendency of peopl |
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Fasting by Keith Malcomson | Keith Malcomson emphasizes the importance of fasting as a practice for Christians to abstain from food for a set purpose and period to pray in faith to God. The sermon delves into |
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Repentance in Kansas City by Andrew Strom | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of Christian meetings and how they often fail to truly impact people. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and a genuine encoun |
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Cost of Worship - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing how he was sitting on the front seat in the synagogue. He then repeatedly emphasizes the importance of reading the gospel of Luke. |
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(Basics) 60. Pride by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being saved from sin rather than just seeking salvation from hell or physical ailments. He uses the story of the prodigal |
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All by Faith by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a personal experience with his wife and a can of beans to illustrate a larger point about the nature of relationships. He emphasizes that re |