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

Isaiah 58:13 outlines the spiritual observance of the Sabbath, shifting the focus from mere cessation of labor to a transformed attitude of heart. It calls for actively refraining from personal desires, usual routines, and idle talk on God's holy day. Instead of viewing it as a burden, believers are to "call" or declare the Sabbath a delight and honorable, finding joy in honoring the Lord and His set-apart day. This verse challenges superficial religious adherence, emphasizing that true reverence involves intentional devotion and finding pleasure in God's presence and commands.

Isaiah 58 13 Context

Isaiah chapter 58 addresses the superficial religious practices of Israel, particularly their fasting. The people complained that God wasn't noticing their piety, yet God reveals their fasting was self-serving, marked by quarreling and exploitation. The chapter then pivots, delineating true fasting (vv. 6-12), which involves acts of justice, compassion, and care for the needy. Verse 13 transitions from the true fast to genuine Sabbath observance, demonstrating that God desires not just outward ritual but a transformed heart expressed in ethical conduct and devotion to Him. Historically, the Sabbath was a central covenant sign for Israel, commemorating God's creation rest and their deliverance from Egypt. By Isaiah's time, its observance, like other religious acts, often lacked spiritual depth, becoming a matter of strict rule-following without an underlying heart of devotion or delight in God. Isaiah's words implicitly challenge this formalism, polemicizing against the notion that mere idleness constituted honoring God's holy day; true honor required intentional focus on God over self.

Isaiah 58 13 Word analysis

• If you turn back your foot (וְאִם־תָּשִׁיב מִשַּׁבָּת רַגְלֶךָ - v'im tashiv mi-Shabbat raglekha):

  • וְאִם־תָּשִׁיב (v'im-tashiv): "If you turn back" or "if you return." The Hebrew verb שׁוּב (shuv) signifies returning, repenting, or ceasing from an action. Here, it denotes a conscious decision to refrain or redirect one's actions and intentions. It's a proactive choice to step away from certain behaviors.
  • מִשַּׁבָּת רַגְלֶךָ (mi-Shabbat raglekha): "your foot from the Sabbath." This is a metaphorical expression for refraining from travel, work, or activities that characterize one's regular routine or personal pursuits on the Sabbath. It implies a cessation of usual movements and endeavors, indicating that the foot represents action and motion.

• from doing your pleasure (מֵעֲשׂוֹת חֲפָצֶיךָ - me'asot khafatsekha):

  • חֲפָצֶיךָ (khafatsekha): "your desires," "your business," "what pleases you." This Hebrew term emphasizes personal gratification and self-serving activities. The verse condemns pursuing one's own agenda or engaging in commerce or leisure purely for self-benefit, in contrast to seeking God's will.

• on my holy day (בְּיוֹם קָדְשִׁי - b'yom kodshi):

  • קָדְשִׁי (kodshi): "my holiness" or "my holy." This highlights the divine ownership of the day and its sacred character. The Sabbath is not merely a day off but a day "set apart" (the root meaning of qadosh) by God for His purposes and glory.

• and call the Sabbath a delight (וְקָרָאתָ לַשַּׁבָּת עֹנֶג - v'karata la-Shabbat 'oneg):

  • וְקָרָאתָ (v'karata): "and you shall call." This implies an active declaration, an assigning of meaning, and a transformation of attitude. It’s not just observing outwardly but naming it with reverence and joy.
  • עֹנֶג ('oneg): "delight," "joy," "pleasure." This is a pivotal term. It means finding profound joy and satisfaction in observing the Sabbath as God intends, rather than viewing it as a restriction or burden. This shifts the focus from what one gives up to what one gains in the Lord.

• and the Lord's holy day honorable (לִקְדוֹשׁ יְהוָה מְכֻבָּד - likdosh YHVH mekhubbad):

  • יְהוָה (YHVH): The sacred, covenantal name of God. This specifies Whose holy day it is, anchoring its honor in God's majestic identity.
  • מְכֻבָּד (mekhubbad): "honorable," "weighty," "glorious." From the root kavad (כָּבֵד), meaning heavy or glorious. To honor it is to treat it with respect, esteem it as significant, and recognize its sacred value in God's eyes.

• and if you honor it (וְכִבַּדְתּוֹ - v'chibbadvto):

  • This repetition of the concept of honor reinforces its importance and suggests a concrete way in which this honor is expressed. It's not just a mental acknowledgment but an active demonstration of esteem.

• not going your own ways (מִמְּצֹא חֶפְצְךָ מִדַּבֵּר דָּבָר - mimmetso kheftzekha midabber davar -- closer to the Hebrew structure). The ESV breaks this into three parts. Let's analyze the nuances:

  • מִדַּרְכֶךָ (middarkekha - from earlier in the verse in some interpretations/structures): "from your ways," your usual routine, your self-chosen paths. This speaks to detaching from one's personal life agenda and habits that aren't God-focused.

• or seeking your own pleasure (מִמְּצֹא חֶפְצְךָ - mimmetso kheftzekha):

  • This reiterates the previous "doing your pleasure," emphasizing actively "seeking" or "finding" personal gratification. It is a further definition of what to refrain from—purposely pursuing self-interest.

• or talking idly (וְדַבֵּר דָּבָר - vedabber davar):

  • וְדַבֵּר דָּבָר (vedabber davar): "and speaking a word." This phrase is often interpreted as "speaking your own words," "talking business," or "idle chatter." It refers to conversation that is profane, trivial, self-focused, or concerning one's personal affairs/commerce rather than spiritual reflection or honoring God. Even words spoken are to be consecrated to the Sabbath's holiness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day": This establishes the initial negative prohibitions: a cessation of typical human activity (implied by "foot" and "turn back") and an active denial of self-gratifying pursuits. The Sabbath is uniquely identified as God's property, underscoring the sacred boundary. This challenges external, legalistic Sabbath keeping that merely stops work but fills the time with personal interests.
• "and call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable": This is the heart's transformation. It moves beyond mere abstinence to an active, positive affirmation. "Calling" it a delight and honorable means consciously valuing and celebrating it, finding joy in God Himself rather than in worldly distractions. This involves a fundamental shift in perspective and desire, moving from human autonomy to divine devotion.
• "and if you honor it, not going your own ways or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly": These reinforce and further define the practical expressions of honor and delight. "Not going your own ways" encapsulates refraining from usual business or self-directed activities. "Seeking your own pleasure" clarifies the selfish motive to be avoided. "Talking idly" (or speaking your own words/thoughts) extends the sanctification to one's speech, signifying a full-person consecration—body, mind, and tongue—to God's purpose for the day. It reveals that proper Sabbath observance encompasses both deeds and words, fostering a reverent atmosphere.

Isaiah 58 13 Bonus section

The promise immediately following Isa 58:13, in verse 14, states that those who keep the Sabbath as described will "take delight in the Lord" and "ride on the heights of the earth," indicating abundant blessings and an elevated position both spiritually and physically. This directly connects the spiritual discipline of Sabbath observance to a rich life of intimacy with God and prosperity. Furthermore, the passage connects Sabbath keeping not just to a personal act but situates it within the broader context of justice and compassion highlighted earlier in Isaiah 58. A genuinely observed Sabbath, rooted in love for God, is congruent with caring for others and acting justly, forming a holistic picture of true religion. In the New Testament, while the legalistic demands of the Mosaic Sabbath find their fulfillment in Christ, the principle of a dedicated day for worship, rest, and focusing on God often finds expression in the Christian observance of the Lord's Day, typically the first day of the week, celebrating Christ's resurrection and anticipating the ultimate eternal rest in Him.

Isaiah 58 13 Commentary

Isaiah 58:13 transcends a simplistic legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath. It challenges the common practice of outwardly ceasing from labor while inwardly indulging in personal agendas, commercial thoughts, or frivolous conversations. The verse argues that genuine Sabbath keeping is a matter of the heart, demanding a proactive spiritual discipline. It is not enough to stop "working"; one must actively turn away from "doing one's own pleasure," both in action and in thought and speech. The pivotal shift is from viewing the Sabbath as a restrictive burden to embracing it as an "oneg," a delight. This delight arises from consciously honoring the Lord by setting apart His day, consecrating one's activities, thoughts, and words to Him. By relinquishing self-centered pursuits, one opens space for God, finds joy in His presence, and embraces the Sabbath's true purpose: spiritual refreshing and drawing nearer to the Creator. It foreshadows the rest found in Christ, who is Lord of the Sabbath, and encourages believers to sanctify their time, prioritizing worship and spiritual focus.