Isaiah 58:5

Translations

Modern

Is 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?

Traditional

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

Literal

Is it like this, the fast I choose? A day for a man to afflict his soul, for bowing down his head like a reed, and spreading out sackcloth and ashes—do you call this a fast, and a day of pleasure for YHWH?

Latin

Numquid tale est jejunium quod elegi, per diem affligere hominem animam suam? numquid contorquere quasi circulum caput suum, et saccum et cinerem sternere? numquid istud vocabis jejunium, et diem acceptabilem Domino?

Original

Hebrew

English

Is 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?

Notes

Isaiah 58:5

This passage uses strong language to show the problem with the people’s fasting. Their fasting was only outward religious behavior. They did not truly repent or do what is right.
Fasting without sincere hearts and righteous actions is empty. It is only for show.
People wore sackcloth and put ashes on their heads to show sorrow and mourning.
acceptable to the LORD?: The people wrongly believed that God would bless them if they performed the correct rituals. They thought the actions themselves would bring blessing.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Religious Hypocrisy Salvation in Isaiah Social Justice

Events

Prophecies of Isaiah

Related verses

Daniel 9:3–19
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Zechariah 7:5
“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?
Isaiah 49:8
This is what the LORD says: “In the time of favor I will answer You, and in the day of salvation I will help You; I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to apportion its desolate inheritances,
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Isaiah 61:2
…to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
Esther 4:16
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Psalm 69:13
But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.
Luke 4:19
…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
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—
2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
1 Peter 2:5
…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Ezra 10:6
Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. And while he stayed there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

Glossary

Alms Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Fast, Fasting Head Isaiah, Book of Jubilee Year Mourning New Creation, New Creature Papyrus

Topics

Bulrush: Figurative Fasting of Hypocrites: Described Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Herbs: Bulrushes Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrites: Worship of, not Acceptable to God

Isaiah 58:5

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Translations

Original

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Events

Related verses

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Topics