Isaiah 1:15

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.

Isaiah 1:15 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands
That is, in prayer, this being a prayer gesture: hence the Targum paraphrases it,

``and when the priests spread out their hands to pray for you.''
I will hide mine eyes from you;
will not look upon them, nor regard their prayer; see ( Lamentations 3:42 ) yea, when ye make many prayers;
as the Scribes and Pharisees did in Christ's time, and thought to be heard for their much speaking, like the Gentiles, ( Matthew 6:7 ) I will not hear;
so as to give an answer, or fulfil their requests: the reason follows, your hands are full of blood;
of the prophets of the Lord, of Christ and his followers, whom they put to death.

Isaiah 1:15 In-Context

13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,-- I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary of bearing them.
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.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.