Isaiah 65:5

Translations

Modern

They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

Traditional

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Literal

…those saying, ‘Keep yourself away; do not come near to me, for I am set apart from you’—these are smoke in My nostrils, a fire burning all the day!

Latin

…qui dicunt: Recede a me, non appropinques mihi, quia immundus es. Isti fumus erunt in furore meo, ignis ardens tota die.

Original

Hebrew

English

They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

Notes

Isaiah 65:5

do not come near me, for I am holier than you!: The people of Israel used the words of ritual purification found in the law of Moses. They spoke as if they were clean and obedient to God.

But they also practiced worship influenced by pagan religions. Their actions did not match their words.

Because of this hypocrisy, God was deeply displeased. The text says they were like a bad smell in his nostrils. This image shows how offensive their behavior was to him (see Isaiah 1:10–15).

Isaiah 65:1–66:24

Here, the Lord responds to the prayer in Isaiah 63:7–64:12.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Luke 18:9–12
To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
Luke 7:39
When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
Proverbs 16:5
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
Romans 2:17–29
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
Luke 15:28–30
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
Luke 5:30
But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Deuteronomy 29:20
The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven
1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Acts 22:21–22
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Proverbs 10:26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
Jude 1:19
These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.
Matthew 9:11
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Isaiah 65:5

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics