Isaiah 1:15
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְפָרִשְׂכֶ֣ם
And when ye spread forth
H6566
וּבְפָרִשְׂכֶ֣ם
And when ye spread forth
Strong's:
H6566
Word #:
1 of 14
to break apart, disperse, etc
כַּפֵּיכֶ֗ם
your hands
H3709
כַּפֵּיכֶ֗ם
your hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
2 of 14
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
אַעְלִ֤ים
I will hide
H5956
אַעְלִ֤ים
I will hide
Strong's:
H5956
Word #:
3 of 14
to veil from sight, i.e., conceal (literally or figuratively)
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
H5869
עֵינַי֙
mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מִכֶּ֔ם
H4480
מִכֶּ֔ם
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
גַּ֛ם
H1571
גַּ֛ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַרְבּ֥וּ
from you yea when ye make many
H7235
תַרְבּ֥וּ
from you yea when ye make many
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
8 of 14
to increase (in whatever respect)
תְפִלָּ֖ה
prayers
H8605
תְפִלָּ֖ה
prayers
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
9 of 14
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
אֵינֶ֣נִּי
H369
שֹׁמֵ֑עַ
I will not hear
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֑עַ
I will not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְדֵיכֶ֖ם
your hands
H3027
יְדֵיכֶ֖ם
your hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 14
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
Cross References
Micah 3:4Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.Proverbs 1:28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:Zechariah 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:Psalms 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:Jeremiah 14:12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.1 Kings 8:22And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:Isaiah 58:7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?Psalms 55:1Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.Job 27:20Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.1 Kings 8:54And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
Historical Context
Judah's leaders perpetrated judicial violence, exploiting widows and orphans (Isaiah 1:23). Their bloodguilt rendered religious exercises offensive, demonstrating that social injustice nullifies ceremonial piety.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'blood' on our hands might hinder our prayers today—exploitation, indifference to injustice, complicity in systemic evil?
- How does this verse correct misconceptions that God mechanically answers prayer regardless of moral condition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The shocking imagery of God hiding His eyes and refusing to hear prayers indicts hands 'full of blood'—metaphorical for violence and oppression (cf. Isaiah 59:3). Prayer without repentance is futile; God's holiness cannot fellowship with unconfessed sin. This echoes Psalm 66:18 and foreshadows James 4:3. The Reformed doctrine of God's immutability affirms that He consistently responds to genuine faith but resists the proud and unrepentant.