Isaiah 1:12

12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this from your hand -- to tread my courts?

Isaiah 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:12

When ye come to appear before me
At the grand festivals of the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, at which times all the males in Israel appeared before God, ( Exodus 23:17 ) who hath required this at your hand;
either to appear at such times, these feasts being no more to be observed; or to offer the above sacrifices; these were not required of the Israelites when they first came out of Egypt, ( Jeremiah 7:22 ) nor were they necessary to appear before God with, or to introduce them to the throne of his grace, ( Micah 6:6 Micah 6:7 ) and much less under the Gospel dispensation, being abolished by the sacrifice of Christ; or this relates to what follows, to tread my courts?
in that unbecoming and hypocritical way they did, and with such wicked hearts and bloody hands. "Courts" are mentioned, because, as Kimchi observes, the Israelites stood in the courts of the Lord's house, and did not go into the temple, only the priests.

Isaiah 1:12 In-Context

10 Hear the word of Jehovah, rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, people of Gomorrah!

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith Jehovah. I am sated with burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and in the blood of bullocks, and of lambs, and of he-goats I take no pleasure.

12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this from your hand -- to tread my courts?

13 Bring no more vain oblations! Incense is an abomination unto me, -- new moon and sabbath, the calling of convocations -- wickedness and the solemn meeting I cannot bear.

14 Your new moons and your set feasts my soul hateth: they are a burden to me; I am wearied of bearing [them].