Isaiah 1:12

12 When you come to appear before me, Who has required this at your hand, to trample 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 the LORD, you rulers of Sedom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of `Amorah!

11 "What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?," says the LORD. "I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, And the fat of fed animals. I don't delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs, Or of male goats.

12 When you come to appear before me, Who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; New moons, Shabbatot, and convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies.

14 My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts; They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.