Isaiah 58:6

No, that is not the kind of fasting that I desire. What I really want [RHQ] is for you to free those who have been unjustly put in prison [DOU], and to encourage those who are ◄treated cruelly/oppressed►; I want you to free those who have been oppressed in any way.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

In Context

5You act as though [IRO] you humble yourselves [RHQ] by bowing your heads like [SIM] the tops of reeds bend when the wind blows, and you wear [RHQ] rough clothes and cover your heads with ashes like people do when they are grieving. That is what you do when you are fasting, but do you really think [RHQ] that will please me?

7I want you to [RHQ] share your food with those who are hungry and to allow those who have no houses to stay in your houses. Give clothes to those who do not have clothes, and do not hide from your relatives who need help from you.

Read all of Isaiah 58

Cross References

Leviticus 6:5You must not only return anything like that to its owner, but you must also pay to the owner one-fifth of its value.

2 Chronicles 28:11So listen to me! Send back to Judah your fellow-countrymen whom you have captured, because Yahweh is extremely angry with you for what you did to them.”

Nehemiah 5:11Also, you must give back to them their fields, their vineyards, their olive tree orchards, and their houses that you have taken from them. You must also give back to them the interest that you charged them when they borrowed money, grain, wine, and olive oil from you, and you must do it today!”

Jeremiah 34:8King Zedekiah had decreed that the people must free their slaves.

Micah 3:2but you hate what is good and you love what is evil. You act like butchers: it is as though you strip the skin off my people and tear the flesh from their bones.

1 Timothy 6:1As for slaves [DOU] who are believers, teach them that they should consider that it is right for them to honor their masters in every way. If they do that, people will not speak ◄against/evil about► God [MTY] and they will not speak ◄against/evil about► that which we apostles teach, because they will see that the slaves are being respectful of their masters.

Matthew Henry on Isaiah 58:4-8

A Charge against the People. ( b. c. 706.) 3 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. 4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Isaiah 58:6