Isaiah 1:13

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

Images for Isaiah 1:13

Isaiah 1:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more vain oblations
As all such were, which were offered up without faith in Christ, in hypocrisy, and with dependence on them for pardon and atonement, and particularly when put an end to by the sacrifice of Christ; see ( Matthew 15:9 ) . The Targum renders it, "an oblation of robbery"; see ( Isaiah 60:8 ) incense is an abomination to me;
instead of being of a sweet smell. This was burnt on the altar of incense, and put upon the sacrifices, ( Exodus 30:1 Exodus 30:7 Exodus 30:8 ) ( Leviticus 2:1 ) was typical of prayer, ( Psalms 141:2 ) ( Revelation 8:3 ) but now under the Gospel dispensation to be disused, and so disagreeable to God, that it is as if an idol was blessed, ( Isaiah 66:3 ) the new moons;
the feasts kept on the first day of the month, at the appearance of the moon: and sabbaths;
observed every seventh day, every seventh year, and every seven times seventh year: the calling of assemblies;
or "the new moon and sabbath, do not call a congregation". These assemblies called were the holy convocations on the seventh day sabbath, at the feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, at the blowing of the trumpets, and on the day of atonement, ( Leviticus 23:3 ) &c. ( Numbers 28:26 ) ( Numbers 29:1 Numbers 29:7 Numbers 29:12 ) . The words, I cannot away with
or "bear", may be joined with the following word, "iniquity"; and the meaning is, that the Lord could not bear the iniquity that was in their hearts when they had their solemn assemblies and holy convocations: [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting:
or cessation from work on any of the above festivals; particularly the feast of weeks, or pentecost, was called (true) , "Atzareth", by the Jews F7, the same word with this here F8.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 Misn. Chagiga, c. 2. sect. 4.
F8 The whole verse, agreeably to the accents, is thus rendered by Reinbeck. de Accent. Heb. p. 377, 378. ``Do not go on to offer oblation of vanity; incense of abomination is it to me; [do not go on, I say], on the new moon, and sabbath, to call a convocation: I cannot [bear] iniquity, together with the most solemn congregation.''

Isaiah 1:13 In-Context

11 "What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?," says Yahweh. "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, Sabbaths, 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.
15 When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.