Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
צַּ֙מְנוּ֙
Wherefore have we fasted
H6684
צַּ֙מְנוּ֙
Wherefore have we fasted
Strong's:
H6684
Word #:
2 of 16
to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רָאִ֔יתָ
say they and thou seest
H7200
רָאִ֔יתָ
say they and thou seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עִנִּ֥ינוּ
not wherefore have we afflicted
H6031
עִנִּ֥ינוּ
not wherefore have we afflicted
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
5 of 16
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
נַפְשֵׁ֖נוּ
our soul
H5315
נַפְשֵׁ֖נוּ
our soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵדָ֑ע
and thou takest no knowledge
H3045
תֵדָ֑ע
and thou takest no knowledge
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בְּי֤וֹם
Behold in the day
H3117
בְּי֤וֹם
Behold in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תִּמְצְאוּ
ye find
H4672
תִּמְצְאוּ
ye find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
חֵ֔פֶץ
pleasure
H2656
חֵ֔פֶץ
pleasure
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
13 of 16
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Malachi 3:14Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?Leviticus 16:29And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:Psalms 69:10When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Nehemiah 5:7Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
Historical Context
The post-exilic community had instituted regular fasts (Zechariah 7:3-5, 8:19) commemorating Jerusalem's destruction. However, these observances became mere ritual divorced from ethical living. The prophets consistently condemned this disconnect between worship and ethics (Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). Jesus would later criticize similar hypocrisy in the Pharisees who fasted ostentatiously while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 6:16-18, 23:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we sometimes approach spiritual disciplines with a transactional mindset?
- What does it mean to pursue personal pleasure or advancement even while engaging in religious observances?
- How should our worship transform our treatment of employees, neighbors, and the vulnerable?
Analysis & Commentary
The people's complaint reveals their transactional view of religion: "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?" They expect God to respond to their religious performances like a vending machine—insert fasting, receive blessing. "We have afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?" assumes merit-based relationship with God. God's answer exposes their self-centered worship: "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours." Their fasting is selective—they abstain from food while pursuing business interests and exploiting workers. The Hebrew chephets (pleasure/business) suggests they use fast days to advance personal agendas. "Exact all your labours" means demanding full work from employees despite the religious occasion. This reveals that their fasting serves self-interest, not God's glory or neighbor's good. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates that works performed from wrong motives, even religious works, are sin. True religion transforms the whole life—worship and work, vertical and horizontal relationships. Fasting without justice is abomination to God.