Isaiah 1:11
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Original Language Analysis
לָמָּה
To what
H4100
לָמָּה
To what
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
זִבְחֵיכֶם֙
of your sacrifices
H2077
זִבְחֵיכֶם֙
of your sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׂבַ֛עְתִּי
I am full
H7646
שָׂבַ֛עְתִּי
I am full
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
7 of 17
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
עֹל֥וֹת
of the burnt offerings
H5930
עֹל֥וֹת
of the burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
8 of 17
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
אֵילִ֖ים
of rams
H352
אֵילִ֖ים
of rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
וְחֵ֣לֶב
and the fat
H2459
וְחֵ֣לֶב
and the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
10 of 17
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
וְדַ֨ם
not in the blood
H1818
וְדַ֨ם
not in the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
12 of 17
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
פָּרִ֧ים
of bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֧ים
of bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
13 of 17
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
וְעַתּוּדִ֖ים
or of he goats
H6260
וְעַתּוּדִ֖ים
or of he goats
Strong's:
H6260
Word #:
15 of 17
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
Cross References
Amos 5:21I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.Jeremiah 6:20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.Micah 6:7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?Isaiah 66:3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.Psalms 50:8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Malachi 1:10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Matthew 9:13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Historical Context
Despite approaching apostasy, eighth-century Judah maintained elaborate temple worship. Isaiah exposes this cognitive dissonance—correct ritual without covenant faithfulness is an abomination to God.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you substituting religious activity for authentic obedience in any area of your life?
- How does this passage challenge contemporary worship practices that emphasize form over transformed hearts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's rhetorical question demolishes empty ritualism. The multiplication of sacrifices without heart obedience repulses rather than pleases God. The Hebrew 'hefets' (delight) indicates God's positive pleasure is absent when worship divorced from obedience continues. This anticipates Samuel's principle: 'to obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22) and Jesus's critique of Pharisaic religion.