Isaiah 58 7

Isaiah 58:7 kjv

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Isaiah 58:7 nkjv

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isaiah 58:7 niv

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter? when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Isaiah 58:7 esv

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isaiah 58:7 nlt

Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Isaiah 58 verses

Isaiah 58 7 Meaning

Isaiah 58:7 unequivocally declares that the "fast" truly honored by God is not merely ritualistic abstinence but profound, active compassion for those in need. It provides specific, tangible directives: sharing food with the hungry, offering shelter to the homeless, clothing the naked, and refusing to ignore the distress of one's own people or fellow human beings. This verse fundamentally links genuine spiritual devotion with practical social justice, establishing that sincere worship necessitates sacrificial care for the most vulnerable members of society.

Isaiah 58 7 Context

Isaiah chapter 58 initiates with God confronting His people's superficial piety. They perform outward religious acts like fasting and seeking divine counsel, yet question why God seemingly ignores their devotion (vv. 1-3a). God then reveals that their "fast" is self-serving and filled with strife and oppression (vv. 3b-5). Verse 7, following verse 6, dramatically shifts the focus from what God rejects to what He requires as a "true fast." It outlines a covenant-consistent lifestyle characterized by genuine social justice and practical compassion. This divine indictment stands as a direct polemic against the contemporary belief that ritual observance, divorced from ethical behavior and care for the vulnerable, could win divine favor. It grounds true worship firmly in tangible actions of mercy and solidarity with the marginalized, defining the righteous community envisioned in Israel's covenant with God.

Isaiah 58 7 Word analysis

• Is it not (הֲלוֹא - hălo'): This rhetorical question expects a clear affirmative response, functioning as a strong declaration that the described actions are unequivocally God's desired form of devotion.
• to share (פָרַס - paras): Meaning "to break," "distribute," or "deal out." This implies not merely giving from abundance, but actively partitioning and sharing one's own sustenance, emphasizing a deeper personal sacrifice and communal solidarity.
• your bread (לַחְמְךָ - lachməkā): Refers to one's own essential food, denoting a personal offering of fundamental sustenance, rather than mere charity from surplus.
• with the hungry (לָרָעֵב - lā-rā'ēḇ): Specifically identifies those suffering from basic nutritional deficiency, highlighting the urgency and fundamental nature of this command.
• and to bring (תָּבִיא - tāvi'): "To lead in," "to introduce." This verb conveys active welcoming and the provision of genuine shelter, implying more than mere assistance; it suggests a measure of protection and acceptance into one's personal space.
• the homeless poor (עֲנִיִּים מְרוּדִים - ‘aniyyim mĕrudim): A potent dual expression. ‘aniyyim refers to the afflicted, humble, or destitute. mĕrudim means "outcast," "driven away," or "wandering." Together, they describe individuals not only poor but utterly dispossessed, lacking any stable dwelling or social support.
• into your house (בַּיִת - bayit): Your personal home or dwelling. This signifies profound hospitality and a willingness to provide secure refuge, contrasting sharply with merely offering external aid.
• when you see (כִּי תִרְאֶה - kî tir’eh): "When you behold," implying active observation and sympathetic recognition of another's state, rather than casual glance or intentional blindness.
• the naked (עָרֹם - ‘arom): One who lacks adequate clothing, emphasizing vulnerability to elements and social shame.
• to cover them (וְכִסִּיתָּם - wĕkhisītām): "To clothe them" or "to provide covering." An act restoring dignity, protection, and basic necessity.
• and not to hide yourself (לֹא תִתְעַלָּם - lō’ tit‘allām): A strong negative imperative, meaning "do not overlook," "do not shut your eyes to," or "do not disregard." It condemns active avoidance or willful ignorance of suffering.
• from your own flesh (מִבְּשָׂרְךָ - mibbĕśārəkā): This refers to kin, fellow Israelites, or even more broadly, common humanity. It underscores the intrinsic connection between people, making disregard of their suffering a self-inflicted wound or a denial of fundamental human solidarity (referencing shared creation, Gen 2:23-24).

Words-group analysis:

• "to share your bread with the hungry": This command transcends simple charity, advocating for a communion of resources. It speaks to providing essential life-sustaining food, reflecting a radical generosity where personal needs might even be set aside for another's survival.
• "and to bring the homeless poor into your house": This signifies sacrificial hospitality and direct intervention against systemic destitution. It involves a willingness to break down personal boundaries and offer secure refuge and belonging to the most vulnerable, addressing a fundamental human need beyond basic sustenance.
• "when you see the naked, to cover them": This phrase links observant empathy with tangible, dignity-restoring action. It emphasizes providing essential clothing not just for warmth, but also to alleviate shame and restore social standing, moving beyond mere physical relief to address spiritual and social well-being.
• "and not to hide yourself from your own flesh": This concluding admonition is profoundly ethical and relational. "Your own flesh" encapsulates immediate family, the broader community, and even all humanity. To "hide yourself" implies a willful disengagement or refusal to acknowledge the plight of those connected to you by birth, community, or the universal bond of human creation. It’s a condemnation of apathy, highlighting that ignoring such suffering is to deny a part of one's own identity and covenantal obligation.

Isaiah 58 7 Bonus section

The requirements laid out in Isaiah 58:7 are not portrayed as optional acts of supererogation, but as non-negotiable expressions of a life in covenant with God. For Israel, failure to uphold these duties towards the poor and marginalized represented a fundamental breach of their identity as God's chosen people, who themselves had experienced hunger, homelessness, and nakedness in their exodus from Egypt. Furthermore, this chapter directly connects such acts of practical righteousness to the manifestation of God's blessings and light (vv. 8-12), implying that communal flourishing and divine favor are contingent upon compassionate engagement with the disadvantaged. This concept of practical care for "your own flesh" transcends a narrow familial or ethnic scope in a broader biblical understanding, establishing a fundamental ethic of human solidarity rooted in common creation.

Isaiah 58 7 Commentary

Isaiah 58:7 cuts through all pretenses of religious devotion, asserting that God's true delight is not in external acts of piety, but in an interior disposition of compassion that overflows into radical, practical love for others. This verse forms the core definition of the acceptable fast, demanding an active embrace of those on the margins of society—the hungry, the homeless, the naked. It insists that genuine spirituality is inextricably linked to ethical living and social responsibility. The potent command "not to hide yourself from your own flesh" serves as a universal principle, forbidding indifference not only towards immediate family or fellow believers but extending to anyone sharing the human condition, implying that turning away from human suffering is a deep affront to both human dignity and God Himself. This isn't merely good advice; it's a divine mandate that reveals the very heart of God, which actively seeks justice and mercy.

Practical examples:

• Volunteering at soup kitchens or contributing to food pantries for the hungry.
• Participating in community programs providing shelter for displaced individuals and families.
• Organizing clothing drives for those lacking basic garments, considering dignity and practical needs.
• Actively checking on and supporting vulnerable relatives, neighbors, or colleagues struggling, offering tangible help rather than ignoring their difficulties.