Isaiah 58 13

Isaiah 58:13 kjv

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Isaiah 58:13 nkjv

"If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,

Isaiah 58:13 niv

"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

Isaiah 58:13 esv

"If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;

Isaiah 58:13 nlt

"Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don't pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don't follow your own desires or talk idly.

Isaiah 58 verses

Isaiah 58 13 Meaning

This verse is a divine command and a promise regarding the Sabbath. It instructs believers not to pursue their own pleasure or engage in their own affairs on this holy day. Instead, they are to honor God by refraining from ordinary business and dedicating the day to Him. In return, God promises to provide abundantly for those who honor Him this way.

Isaiah 58 13 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah chapter 58, which addresses the hypocrisy of the people of Israel. They were outwardly religious, fasting and seeking God, but their hearts were far from Him, and they continued in injustice and oppression. God, through Isaiah, rebukes them and outlines true righteousness, which includes justice, mercy, and sincere devotion. Verses 13-14 pivot to a specific instruction about honoring the Sabbath day. This instruction follows a discourse on true worship and obedience. The historical context is post-exilic Judah, where religious observance was important, but often superficial.

Isaiah 58 13 Word Analysis

• If you turn back
  • Hebrew: Hebrew shaav (שָׁב). Means to turn, return, cease.
  • Significance: Implies a conscious decision to desist from an action or path.
• your foot
  • Hebrew: Hebrew regel (רֶגֶל). Literally foot, but metaphorically means one's course or way of life.
  • Significance: Represents turning away from one's usual actions and routines.
• from the Sabbath,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew Shabbat (שַׁבָּת). Means Sabbath, rest, a day of rest.
  • Significance: The seventh day, consecrated by God for rest and worship.
• from doing
  • Hebrew: Hebrew la'asot (לַעֲשׂוֹת). Infinitive construct of asah, meaning to do, make, accomplish.
  • Significance: Refers to any activity or undertaking.
• your pleasure
  • Hebrew: Hebrew chephets (חֵפֶץ). Means desire, delight, will, pleasure, thing desired.
  • Significance: Pertains to self-gratification and personal desires, distinct from God's will.
• on my holy day;
  • Hebrew: Hebrew qodshi (קָדְשִׁי). Means my holiness, my consecrated thing.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the Sabbath's divine designation and sacred character.
• and call the Sabbath
  • Hebrew: Hebrew qara (קָרָא). Means to call, name, proclaim, announce.
  • Significance: To identify, acknowledge, and publicly recognize.
• a delight,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew oneg (עֹנֶג). Means delight, pleasure, satisfaction.
  • Significance: A positive, joyful embrace of the Sabbath's purpose.
• the holy of the LORD,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew qadowsh (קָדוֹשׁ). Means holy, set apart.
  • Significance: Reinforces the Sabbath's sacred and distinct nature.
• honorable;
  • Hebrew: Hebrew makbad (מְכֻבָּד). From kabed (כָּבֵד), meaning to honor, respect, glorify.
  • Significance: To treat with reverence and due respect.
• and shall honor it,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew khabadt (חִבַּדְתָּ). From kabed (כָּבֵד), means to honor, glorify.
  • Significance: To act in a way that shows its worth and dignity.
• not doing
  • Hebrew: Hebrew lo' asot (לֹא עָשׂוֹת). Not doing.
  • Significance: Prohibits engagement in one's customary activities.
• your own ways,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew derek (דֶּרֶךְ). Means way, path, manner, conduct.
  • Significance: Refers to personal pursuits and plans.
• nor finding
  • Hebrew: Hebrew ve'im tishma (וְאִם תִּמְצָא) - interpreted as "nor finding". The Hebrew here is literally "and not finding". The structure connects the previous prohibitions.
  • Significance: A prohibition against seeking.
• your own pleasure,
  • Hebrew: Hebrew chephets (חֵפֶץ). Means desire, delight, will, pleasure.
  • Significance: Again, emphasizes personal desires over divine calling for the day.
• nor speaking
  • Hebrew: Hebrew medaber (מְדַבֵּר). From dabar (דָּבַר), meaning to speak, talk.
  • Significance: Prohibits idle talk and conversations unrelated to God.
• your own words.
  • Hebrew: Hebrew davar (דָּבָר). Means word, thing, matter.
  • Significance: Refers to everyday conversations and secular matters.

Group Analysis:The core message is a call to re-orient the Sabbath from personal indulgence and routine activities to divine focus. "Turning back your foot" and "not doing your own ways" are actions of ceasing personal endeavors. "Calling the Sabbath a delight" and "honoring it" are affirmations of its sacred value. "Not finding your own pleasure" and "not speaking your own words" extend the prohibition to inward desires and outward communication, emphasizing that every aspect of the day should be consecrated to God.

Isaiah 58 13 Bonus Section

This passage highlights the covenantal aspect of the Sabbath, as noted in Exodus 31:13, where it is called a sign between God and His people. The prohibition against speaking "your own words" can also be interpreted as refraining from boasting or pursuing one's own agenda verbally, redirecting speech to that which glorifies God or benefits fellow worshippers. The promise of "delighting yourself in the LORD" signifies the ultimate reward of Sabbath keeping: spiritual fulfillment and joy found in God's presence, rather than in earthly pursuits. The New Testament understanding of Sabbath rest evolves into rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10), though respecting sacred time continues as a principle.

Isaiah 58 13 Commentary

The verse mandates a profound shift in focus for the Sabbath. It is not merely a day of physical rest but a day for spiritual re-engagement. This involves actively ceasing from personal agendas, desires, and conversations, and instead directing one's mind, will, and speech towards God. True Sabbath observance is characterized by reverence, delight in God's presence, and a recognition of the day's holiness. This transformation brings divine favor and provision, enabling one to "delight yourself in the LORD" (v. 14). It's a call to actively sanctify the day.

• Practical Application: Dedicate the day to prayer, scripture reading, contemplation of God's Word, and engaging in spiritually edifying conversations. Avoid secular work, entertainment, and business-related discussions. The focus is on what honors God and spiritually refreshes the soul, not what gratifies personal inclinations.