Isaías 58:5

5 ¿Es tal el ayuno que yo escogí? ¿Para que el hombre aflija su alma? ¿Que encorve su cabeza, como junco; y haga cama de cilicio y de ceniza? ¿Llamaréis esto ayuno, y día agradable al SEÑOR

Isaías 58:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 58:5

Is it such a fast that I have chosen?
&c.] That is, can this be thought to be a fast approved of by me, and acceptable to me, before described, and is as follows: a day for a man to afflict his soul?
only to appoint a certain day, and keep that, by abstaining from bodily food, and so for a short time afflict himself; or only after this manner to afflict himself, and not humble himself for his sins, and abstain from them, and do the duties of justice and charity incumbent on him: is it to bow down his head as a bulrush;
when it is moved with the wind, or bruised, or withered; as if he was greatly depressed and humbled, and very penitent and sorrowful. The Syriac version renders it, "as a hook"; like a fish hook, which is very much bent; so Jarchi interprets the word: and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
which were ceremonies used in times of mourning and fasting; sometimes sackcloth was put on their loins, and ashes on their heads; and sometimes these were strewed under them, and they laid down upon their sackcloth, which, being coarse, was uneasy to them, and rolled themselves in ashes, as expressive of their meanness and vileness: wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
does this deserve the name of a fast? or can it be imagined that such a day so spent, can be agreeable to God? that such persons and services will be accepted of by him? or that hereby sin is atoned for, and God is well pleased, and will show his favour and good will, and have respect to such worshippers of him? no, surely.

Isaías 58:5 In-Context

3 ¿Por qué, dicen, ayunamos, y no hiciste caso? ¿Humillamos nuestras almas, y no lo supiste? He aquí que en el día de vuestro ayuno halláis lo que queréis; y todos demandáis vuestras haciendas

4 He aquí que para contiendas y debates ayunáis, y para herir con el puño inicuamente. No ayunéis como hasta aquí, para que vuestra voz sea oída en lo alto

5 ¿Es tal el ayuno que yo escogí? ¿Para que el hombre aflija su alma? ¿Que encorve su cabeza, como junco; y haga cama de cilicio y de ceniza? ¿Llamaréis esto ayuno, y día agradable al SEÑOR

6 ¿No es antes el ayuno que yo escogí, desatar los líos de impiedad, deshacer los haces de opresión, y soltar libres a los quebrantados, y que rompáis todo yugo

7 Que partas tu pan con el hambriento, y a los pobres errantes metas en casa; que cuando vieres al desnudo, lo cubras; y no te escondas de tu hermano