Isaiah 58:3

Why have we done a tzom, say they, and Thou seest not? 1 Why have we afflicted nafsheinu, and Thou takest no notice? 1 See, in your yom tzom ye find chefetz (pleasure, personal advantage) 1 and exploit all your toilers. 1

Orthodox Jewish Bible

In The King James Version

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

In Context

2Yet they seek Me yom yom (daily), 1 and for the da'as of My Drakhim they seem eager, 1 like a Goy (Nation) that doeth tzedakah, 1 like one that did not forsake mishpat Elohav; 1 they ask of Me the mishpetei-tzedek; 1 they seem eager for kirvat Elohim (getting close to G-d, revival). 1

4See, ye undergo a tzom for grievance and strife, 1 and to strike with the fist of resha; 1 ye shall not do a tzom as ye do today, 1 to make your voice to be heard on marom. 1

Read all of Isaiah 58

Cross References

Exodus 2:23And it came to pass in process of time, that Melech Mitzrayim died; and the Bnei Yisroel groaned by reason of haAvodah (the Bondage), and they cried out, and their cry came up unto HaElohim by reason of haAvodah.

Leviticus 16:31It shall be a Shabbat Shabbaton unto you, and ye shall afflict your nefashot, by a chukkat olam.

Numbers 23:4And Elohim met Balaam, and he said unto Him, I have prepared shivah hamizbechot, and I have offered upon each mizbe'ach a bull and a ram.

Job 34:9For he hath said, 1 It profiteth a gever nothing that he should please Elohim. 1

Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ozen from mishmo'a torah (heeding torah), 1 even his tefillah (prayer) shall be to'evah (abomination). 1

Isaiah 47:6I was angry with My people, 1 I have profaned Mine nachalah, 1 and given them into thine yad; 1 thou didst show them no rachamim (mercy); 1 upon the zaken (ancient, old) hast thou very heavily laid thy ol (yoke). 1

Matthew Henry on Isaiah 58:2-3

A Charge against the People. ( b. c. 706.) 1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. When our Lord Jesus promised to send the Comforter he added, When he shall come he shall convince ( John xvi. 7, 8 ); for… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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