Keraia
Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1:13

Meaningless Offerings · Isaiah 1:10–20
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Translations

Modern
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.
Traditional
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.
Literal
You shall not add to bring an offering of worthlessness; incense, it is an abomination to Me, New Moons and Sabbaths and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity, in a solemn assembly!
Latin
Ne offeratis ultra sacrificium frustra: incensum abominatio est mihi. Neomeniam et sabbatum, et festivitates alias, non feram; iniqui sunt cœtus vestri.

Original

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

Notes

Isaiah 1:13

  • The incense with offerings was meant to be a sweet fragrance to the Lord (see Exodus 30:7–8). However, when offered with hypocrisy, it became a disgusting smell and an offense to God.

  • The Lord had designated special fasting days at the temple (Leviticus 16:31; 23:32; Numbers 29:7), but Judah's sinfulness ruined them (see Isaiah 58:1–7; Matthew 6:16–18).

  • solemn assembly: These holy days were associated with the new moon and other festivals (see Leviticus 23).

Isaiah 1:11–15

The people had sinned so much that God no longer found joy in their sacrifices. The Lord wanted Judah to stop the religious practices he had commanded them to do rather than to continue them in a manner that was sinful and false (Isaiah 1:13). Ceremony cannot replace true godliness.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Religious Hypocrisy Salvation in Isaiah

Events

People

Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant Courts and Trials Hosea, Book of Incense Isaiah (Person) Isaiah, Book of Malachi, Book of Sabbath Wrath of God

Topics

Burning Incense Church: Backslidden Formalism: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrites: Worship of, not Acceptable to God Incense: The Jews: Not Accepted in offering, on Account of Sin National Sins: Defile: National Worship National Sins: National Worship Rejected on Account of Offerings: The Jews often: Rejected In, Because of Sin Offerings: Useless when not Accompanied by Genuine Piety Ordinance: Insufficiency of, for Salvation Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Rendered Unavailing by the Impiety of the Jews the Anniversary Feasts: Called: Solemn Meetings The Feast of the New Moon: Mere Outward Observance of, Hateful to God Vanity: The Worship of the Wicked Is Wicked (People): Worship of, offensive to God Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To