Isaiah 1:12
When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָבֹ֔אוּ
When ye come
H935
תָבֹ֔אוּ
When ye come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 10
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לֵרָא֖וֹת
to appear
H7200
לֵרָא֖וֹת
to appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פָּנָ֑י
before
H6440
פָּנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 10
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בִקֵּ֥שׁ
me who hath required
H1245
בִקֵּ֥שׁ
me who hath required
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
6 of 10
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם
this at your hand
H3027
מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם
this at your hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 10
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
Despite Jerusalem's temple worship continuing, the people's oppression of the poor and judicial corruption profaned sacred assemblies. The temple courts, meant for reverent approach to God, became sites of empty ritual.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might contemporary worship become ritualistic without genuine devotion?
- How does this verse inform our understanding of acceptable worship in the new covenant?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God rejects formalistic worship divorced from covenant faithfulness. The rhetorical question 'Who has required this at your hand?' exposes the irony: Israel performs temple rituals while violating the moral law these ceremonies symbolize. God desires obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), anticipating Christ's condemnation of external religion without heart transformation (Matthew 15:8-9). This underscores the Reformed emphasis on true worship flowing from regenerate hearts.