Isaiah 43:24

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Original Language Analysis

לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָנִ֨יתָ Thou hast bought H7069
קָנִ֨יתָ Thou hast bought
Strong's: H7069
Word #: 2 of 14
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
לִּ֤י H0
לִּ֤י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 14
בַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ with money H3701
בַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ with money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 4 of 14
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
קָנֶ֔ה me no sweet cane H7070
קָנֶ֔ה me no sweet cane
Strong's: H7070
Word #: 5 of 14
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
וְחֵ֥לֶב me with the fat H2459
וְחֵ֥לֶב me with the fat
Strong's: H2459
Word #: 6 of 14
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
זְבָחֶ֖יךָ of thy sacrifices H2077
זְבָחֶ֖יךָ of thy sacrifices
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 7 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 #: 8 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִרְוִיתָ֑נִי neither hast thou filled H7301
הִרְוִיתָ֑נִי neither hast thou filled
Strong's: H7301
Word #: 9 of 14
to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
אַ֗ךְ H389
אַ֗ךְ
Strong's: H389
Word #: 10 of 14
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
הֶעֱבַדְתַּ֙נִי֙ but thou hast made me to serve H5647
הֶעֱבַדְתַּ֙נִי֙ but thou hast made me to serve
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 11 of 14
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בְּחַטֹּאותֶ֔יךָ with thy sins H2403
בְּחַטֹּאותֶ֔יךָ with thy sins
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 12 of 14
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
הוֹגַעְתַּ֖נִי thou hast wearied H3021
הוֹגַעְתַּ֖נִי thou hast wearied
Strong's: H3021
Word #: 13 of 14
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
בַּעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ׃ me with thine iniquities H5771
בַּעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ׃ me with thine iniquities
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 14 of 14
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

Analysis & Commentary

Israel bought God no sweet cane (incense) or filled Him with sacrifice fat, yet burdened Him with sins and wearied Him with iniquities. The Hebrew 'abad' (serve/make to serve) used ironically—they made God serve their sins rather than serving Him! The role reversal is striking and offensive.

Historical Context

This devastating indictment shows Israel inverted the proper relationship—instead of serving God, they made Him deal with their sins. Their persistent rebellion became God's burden, requiring His intervention.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People