Isaiah 1:15

15 When you ¹spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; ²even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; ³your 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 offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Cross References

• 1. 1:15 1 Kgs. 8:22
• 2. 1:15 Prov. 1:28; Mic. 3:4
• 3. 1:15 ch. 59:3