Isaiah 1:13

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
תוֹסִ֗יפוּ
no more
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#3
הָבִיא֙
Bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
מִנְחַת
oblations
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
#5
שָׁ֔וְא
vain
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
#6
קְטֹ֧רֶת
incense
a fumigation
#7
תּוֹעֵבָ֛ה
is an abomination
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
#8
הִ֖יא
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
#9
לִ֑י
H0
#10
חֹ֤דֶשׁ
unto me the new moons
the new moon; by implication, a month
#11
וְשַׁבָּת֙
and sabbaths
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#12
קְרֹ֣א
the calling
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#13
מִקְרָ֔א
of assemblies
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
#14
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
אוּכַ֥ל
I cannot away with
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#16
אָ֖וֶן
it is iniquity
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
#17
וַעֲצָרָֽה׃
even the solemn meeting
an assembly, especially on a festival or holiday

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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