Isaiah 1:15

15 "So when you ¹spread out your hands in prayer, ²I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you ³multiply prayers, I will not listen. ⁴Your hands are ^[a]covered with 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 your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

14 "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight . Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 8:22; Lamentations 1:17
• 2. Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 59:2
• 3. Micah 3:4
• 4. Isaiah 59:3

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "full of"