Isaiah 1:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹסִ֗יפוּ
no more
H3254
תוֹסִ֗יפוּ
no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
2 of 17
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
מִנְחַת
oblations
H4503
מִנְחַת
oblations
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
4 of 17
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
שָׁ֔וְא
vain
H7723
שָׁ֔וְא
vain
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
5 of 17
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה
is an abomination
H8441
תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה
is an abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
חֹ֤דֶשׁ
unto me the new moons
H2320
חֹ֤דֶשׁ
unto me the new moons
Strong's:
H2320
Word #:
10 of 17
the new moon; by implication, a month
וְשַׁבָּת֙
and sabbaths
H7676
וְשַׁבָּת֙
and sabbaths
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
11 of 17
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
קְרֹ֣א
the calling
H7121
קְרֹ֣א
the calling
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
12 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
מִקְרָ֔א
of assemblies
H4744
מִקְרָ֔א
of assemblies
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
13 of 17
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֥ל
I cannot away with
H3201
אוּכַ֥ל
I cannot away with
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
15 of 17
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
Cross References
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.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.Matthew 15:9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.Ezekiel 20:39As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.Luke 11:42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Joel 2:15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:Lamentations 2:6And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.Psalms 78:40How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Historical Context
New moons and sabbaths were divinely instituted festivals (Leviticus 23), yet God abhors their observance when covenant loyalty is absent. This isn't rejection of ceremonial law but its misuse as a substitute for covenant obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we guard against separating religious observance from ethical living?
- What modern 'solemn meetings' might God find burdensome if divorced from justice and mercy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God declares offerings, incense, and assemblies 'an abomination' (Hebrew 'toebah'—detestable) when accompanied by moral iniquity. The coupling of 'iniquity and the solemn meeting' reveals the impossibility of compartmentalizing worship and ethics. True worship demands holiness; ceremonial compliance without moral integrity is spiritual hypocrisy. This anticipates the prophetic critique of religious externalism that Jesus would radicalize in the Sermon on the Mount.