Isaiah 43:23
Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵבֵ֤יאתָ
Thou hast not brought
H935
הֵבֵ֤יאתָ
Thou hast not brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שֵׂ֣ה
me the small cattle
H7716
שֵׂ֣ה
me the small cattle
Strong's:
H7716
Word #:
4 of 14
a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat
עֹלֹתֶ֔יךָ
of thy burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלֹתֶ֔יךָ
of thy burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
5 of 14
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וּזְבָחֶ֖יךָ
me with thy sacrifices
H2077
וּזְבָחֶ֖יךָ
me with thy sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִבַּדְתָּ֑נִי
neither hast thou honoured
H3513
כִבַּדְתָּ֑נִי
neither hast thou honoured
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
8 of 14
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֶעֱבַדְתִּ֙יךָ֙
I have not caused thee to serve
H5647
הֶעֱבַדְתִּ֙יךָ֙
I have not caused thee to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
10 of 14
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בְּמִנְחָ֔ה
with an offering
H4503
בְּמִנְחָ֔ה
with an offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
11 of 14
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This addresses potential excuse that ceremonial law was too burdensome. God shows He made worship manageable, requiring heart engagement, not grudging compliance. Their failure was willful, not compelled.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you turn worship and service to God into burdensome obligation rather than joyful response?
- What excuses do you make for neglecting spiritual disciplines God designed to bless you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God lists Israel's failures: not bringing burnt offerings, not honoring with sacrifices. Yet God didn't burden them with offerings or weary them with incense requirements. The Hebrew 'abad' (serve/labor) with negative shows God didn't impose excessive demands—their failure was voluntary neglect.