True Fasting: Justice, Mercy, and Sabbath Blessing
Isaiah 58:1-14
Isa.58.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בגרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תחשך: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,sg
- כשופר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קולך: NOUN,m,sg,suf
- והגד: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- לעמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- פשעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3mp
- ולבית: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חטאתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Micah 3:8 (verbal): Very close wording and function — the prophet declares Jacob/Israel's transgression; Micah explicitly says he is filled with the Spirit to declare Israel's sin, echoing Isaiah's command to 'declare to my people their transgression.'
- Ezekiel 33:7-9 (structural): Same prophetic role: God appoints the prophet/watchman to warn the people of their sins and danger, with consequences if the warning is not given — parallels Isaiah's imperative to cry out and expose transgression.
- Joel 2:1 (verbal): Shared trumpet imagery — 'blow the trumpet' / 'lift up your voice like a trumpet' — both call for an urgent, public summons announcing judgment or repentance.
- Jeremiah 6:17 (thematic): Like Isaiah 58:1, Jeremiah sets watchmen and signals (trumpet/voice) over the people to warn them of sin and coming disaster; both emphasize public proclamation and warning to 'my people.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet — declare to my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sin.
- Cry aloud, do not hold back; like a trumpet lift up your voice. Declare to my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sin.
Isa.58.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואותי: PRON,1,sg,obj
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידרשון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ודעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דרכי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,_,sg
- יחפצון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צדקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ומשפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- עזב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישאלוני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,acc1cs
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קרבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יחפצון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Hos.6:6 (verbal): 'For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice... and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings' echoes Isaiah's 'they seek me day by day' and 'delight to know my ways'—preference for knowing God/faithfulness over mere ritual.
- Isa.1:11-17 (thematic): Isaiah earlier condemns sacrifices and festivals offered by a people who do not practice justice and righteousness—same prophetic critique of outward worship divorced from ethical conduct.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): Amos rejects songs and offerings, demanding 'let justice roll down like waters'—parallels Isaiah 58's insistence that true religion requires justice, not mere ritual observance.
- Jer.7:21-23 (thematic): Jeremiah stresses that God commanded obedience rather than sacrifices ('I did not speak to your fathers... but this command I gave them'), resonating with Isaiah 58's challenge to those who 'seek' God while neglecting his ways of justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- They seek me day by day and delight to know my ways, as a nation that practices righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinance of its God; they ask of me righteous judgments — they desire to draw near to God.
- They seek me day by day and delight to know my ways— as a nation that has practiced righteousness and has not forsaken the judgment of its God. They ask of me righteous laws; they delight to draw near to God.
Isa.58.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למה: ADV
- צמנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- ראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ענינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr1pl
- נפשנו: NOUN,f,sg,prsuf_1pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תדע: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms,sg
- הן: PART
- ביום: PREP
- צמכם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- תמצאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- חפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עצביכם: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- תנגשו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 58:6-7 (structural): Immediate counterpart in the same chapter that defines the true fast (loosing bonds, feeding the hungry) as the corrective to the empty fasting condemned in v.3.
- Isaiah 1:11-17 (thematic): God rejects ritual sacrifices and festivals when they are divorced from justice and righteousness; both passages pair religious observance with ethical failure.
- Zechariah 7:5-10 (thematic): Questions the value of fasting observed for appearances and links proper religious practice to care for widows, orphans and the oppressed—similar critique of hollow fasts and social injustice.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): God declares contempt for festivals and offerings while calling for justice to 'roll on like a river,' paralleling the rebuke of ritual without righteousness in Isa 58:3.
- Matthew 6:16-18 (allusion): Jesus warns against hypocritical, ostentatious fasting and emphasizes sincerity before God—New Testament echo of the prophetic critique of empty fasting in Isaiah 58:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and you take no notice?’ Behold, on the day of your fasting you find your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
- Why have we fasted, and you do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you do not take notice? Behold, on the day of your fasting you pursue your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
Isa.58.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הן: PART
- לריב: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ומצה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תצומו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולהכות: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- באגרף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תצומו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- כיום: ADV
- להשמיע: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf
- במרום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קולכם: NOUN,m,sg,pr,2,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 58:3-5 (structural): Immediate context — same denunciation of hypocritical fasting used for self-assertion, strife, and to make oneself heard rather than true humility and justice.
- Matthew 6:16-18 (thematic): Jesus condemns ostentatious fasting done 'to be seen by men,' paralleling Isaiah's critique of fasting practiced for show and personal advantage.
- Zechariah 7:5-6 (allusion): Questions the value of fasts observed for appearance — links fasting with everyday conduct and implies God rejects fasts unaccompanied by right behavior and justice.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): God rejects religious rites when accompanied by injustice; Amos's call for justice to 'roll on like a river' echoes Isaiah's demand that true piety produce righteous action.
- Micah 6:6-8 (thematic): Contrasts ritual observance with the ethical requirements God seeks — 'do justice, love kindness, walk humbly' parallels Isaiah's call to replace empty fasts with concrete acts of righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, you fast to quarrel and to strike with the fist of wickedness; you will not fast today to make your voice heard on high.
- Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with a wicked fist. Do you call this a fast that will make your voice heard on high?
Isa.58.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הכזה: DEM,f,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבחרהו: VERB,qal,imprf,1,_,sg+3,m
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הלכף: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- כאגמן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושק: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יציע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלזה: DEM,ms,sg
- תקרא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- צום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויום: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רצון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 58:6-7 (structural): Immediate contrast within the same passage: v.5 criticizes outward fasting, vv.6–7 define the true fast God chooses (loosening bonds, feeding the hungry).
- Zechariah 7:5-7 (allusion): Zechariah echoes Isaiah’s challenge to ritual fasting—asking whether the fasts and mourning were done to the LORD and then shifts to ethical obligations (feeding the afflicted), reflecting Isaiah 58’s critique.
- Joel 2:12-13 (verbal): Both condemn mere external fasting and call for inward repentance—'rend your heart and not your garments' parallels Isaiah’s rejection of showy affliction of the self.
- Matthew 6:16-18 (thematic): Jesus warns against ostentatious fasting and teaches secrecy and sincerity in piety, echoing Isaiah’s denunciation of performative religious displays.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): God rejects formal fasts and festivals that lack justice and righteousness—Amos’s demand that justice 'roll on like a river' parallels Isaiah’s insistence that ethical action, not ritual, pleases God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is such the fast I choose — a day to humble a person’s soul? Is it to bow down the head like a reed, to spread sackcloth and ashes? Will you call that a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
- Is such the fast I choose, a day to humble a person’s soul— to bow one’s head like a reed, to spread sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?
Isa.58.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- צום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבחרהו: VERB,qal,imprf,1,u,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרצבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התר: VERB,qal,inf
- אגדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מוטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושלח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- רצוצים: ADJ,m,pl
- חפשים: ADJ,m,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מוטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תנתקו: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:1 (verbal): Closely related language and theme — both speak of proclaiming freedom for captives and releasing those who are bound, paralleling Isaiah 58:6's 'let the oppressed go free' and 'break every yoke.'
- Luke 4:18 (thematic): Jesus' citation of Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 61) articulates a mission to proclaim release to captives and liberty to the oppressed, echoing the social‑justice emphasis of Isaiah 58:6.
- Isaiah 42:7 (thematic): Speaks of bringing out prisoners and opening the eyes of the blind; thematically aligned with Isaiah 58:6's concern to loose bonds and free the oppressed.
- Deuteronomy 15:12-15 (thematic): Law concerning the release of Hebrew servants and humane treatment of those in servitude; reflects the covenantal ethic behind Isaiah 58:6's call to remove oppressive burdens and break yokes.
- Psalm 82:3 (thematic): Command to defend the weak and afflicted and uphold the rights of the poor—parallels Isaiah 58:6's focus on justice, liberation, and ending oppression.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
- Is not this the fast I choose: to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the cords of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Isa.58.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- פרס: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לרעב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,2,m,sg
- ועניים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מרודים: ADJ,m,pl
- תביא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ערם: ADJ,m,sg
- וכסיתו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+SUF,3,m,sg
- ומבשרך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תתעלם: VERB,hithp,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 58:10 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same passage: continues the ethical demand to feed the hungry, bring in the poor, and clothe the naked as the proper expression of true fasting.
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (verbal): Commands open-handedness to the poor in Israel—do not harden your heart or shut your hand against your needy brother—parallels the call to share bread and house the destitute.
- Luke 3:11 (verbal): John the Baptist’s exhortation to share coats and food with those in need echoes the verse’s concrete moral actions (give bread to the hungry, clothe the naked).
- Matthew 25:35-40 (thematic): Jesus’ judgment scene links righteous status to feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and welcoming strangers, thematically reflecting Isaiah’s ethic of tangible care for the needy.
- Proverbs 19:17 (thematic): ’Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD’ expresses the theological valuation of aid to the poor that undergirds Isaiah’s injunction to feed and shelter the needy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor who are cast out into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
- Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house; when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isa.58.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- יבקע: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- כשחר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אורך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2ms
- וארכתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- מהרה: ADV
- תצמח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- והלך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- צדקך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2ms
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יאספך: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg,2ms
Parallels
- Isaiah 60:1 (thematic): Both passages use dawn/light imagery to describe the coming restoration and the manifestation of God's glory for Zion/Israel.
- Malachi 4:2 (verbal): Speaks of the 'sun/sunrise of righteousness' that brings healing—close verbal and thematic parallels to 'your light shall break forth... and your healing shall spring up.'
- Isaiah 58:11 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same promise: God as guide, provider, and protector—reinforces the imagery of light, flourishing, and divine accompaniment in vv.8–11.
- Luke 1:78–79 (thematic): Zechariah's prophecy echoes the dawn motif—God's mercy bringing a rising light to those in darkness to guide them into peace, paralleling Isaiah's imagery of light and deliverance.
- Matthew 5:16 (thematic): Jesus' call to let your light shine before others so they see your good works and glorify God parallels Isaiah's theme of righteousness producing visible light/glory as witness to God's presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
- Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall gather you at the rear.
Isa.58.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- תקרא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יענה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- תשוע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- אם: CONJ
- תסיר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מתוכך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מוטה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אצבע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 65:24 (verbal): Similar wording and promise: 'Before they call I will answer...' echoes Isaiah 58:9's assurance that when people call the LORD will answer/declare 'Here I am.'
- Jeremiah 29:12-13 (thematic): Both connect calling/asking God with God's attentive response—Jeremiah promises God will listen when people call and seek him with their whole heart, paralleling Isaiah's call-and-answer motif tied to right conduct.
- Psalm 50:15 (verbal): Uses the same call-and-response formula ('Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you'), mirroring Isaiah 58:9's assurance that God answers when invoked.
- Matthew 7:7-8 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'Ask, and it will be given...' parallels the basic promise that human petition elicits God's response, reflecting the New Testament echo of prophetic call-and-answer expectations.
- 1 John 3:22 (thematic): Links answered prayer to obedience—'whatever we ask we receive, because we keep his commandments' parallels Isaiah 58:9's conditional structure ('if you remove... then I will answer'), tying divine response to righteous behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove from your midst the yoke, the accusing finger and speaking wickedness,
- Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and he will say, “Here I am.” If you remove from your midst the yoke, the pointing finger and malicious talk,
Isa.58.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותפק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לרעב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- ונפש: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נענה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- תשביע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וזרח: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחשך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אורך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss2ms
- ואפלתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss2ms
- כצהרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 58:6–8 (structural): Immediate context: promises healing, vindication, and "your light" rising when covenantal acts of justice and charity (loosing the oppressed, sharing bread) are performed — verse 10 continues this causal sequence.
- Matthew 25:35–36 (thematic): Jesus teaches that feeding the hungry and caring for the needy is service to God and will receive divine approval, echoing Isaiah's link between mercy to the hungry and God's blessing/light.
- Luke 3:11 (verbal): John the Baptist's exhortation to share clothing and food with those in need closely parallels Isaiah's concrete command to satisfy the hungry and the promise connected to that action.
- Zechariah 7:9–10 (thematic): Calls for practicing justice—showing kindness, not oppressing, and sharing bread with the hungry—reflect the same ethical demand and social concern found in Isaiah 58 and its promised good consequences.
- Proverbs 19:17 (thematic): Promises that generosity to the poor is credited by God ("lending to the LORD") and will be repaid, paralleling Isaiah's assurance that aiding the hungry brings divine favor and flourishing.
Alternative generated candidates
- if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall rise in darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
- and if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall be like the noonday.
Isa.58.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונחך: CONJ+VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תמיד: ADV
- והשביע: CONJ+VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- בצחצחות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- ועצמתיך: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יחליץ: VERB,hifil,imprf,3,m,sg
- והיית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רוה: ADJ,m,sg
- וכמוצא: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכזבו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- מימיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
Parallels
- Psalm 23:3 (verbal): ’He restores my soul’ and ’he leads me’ echo Isaiah’s language about God satisfying the soul and guiding continually (השביע בצחצחות נפשך; ונחך יהוה תמיד).
- Psalm 1:3 (thematic): The righteous are likened to a well‑watered plant by streams whose leaf does not wither—paralleling Isaiah’s image of a watered garden and an unfailing spring (כגן רוה וכמוצא מים אשר לא־יכזבו מימיו).
- Jeremiah 17:7–8 (verbal): ’Blessed is the man who trusts... he is like a tree planted by water’ closely parallels the simile of flourishing and not failing in drought, matching Isaiah’s imagery of continual refreshment and strength.
- Isaiah 44:3 (thematic): ’I will pour water on the thirsty land... streams on the dry ground’—within Isaiah the theme of God providing life‑giving water and renewal echoes 58:11’s promise of sustaining supply.
- John 4:13–14 (allusion): Jesus’ promise of ’living water’ that becomes a spring of water welling up to eternal life echoes Isaiah’s image of an unfailing water source that continually satisfies the soul.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose streams do not fail.
- The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in scorched places; he will strengthen your bones, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose waters do not fail.
Isa.58.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- חרבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מוסדי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודור: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תקומם: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- וקרא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- גדר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פרץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משבב: VERB,piel,ptcp,m,sg
- נתיבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:4 (verbal): Nearly identical language: both speak of rebuilding ancient ruins, raising up former devastations, and repairing ruined cities — a direct verbal parallel within Isaiah's corpus.
- Nehemiah 2:17-18 (thematic): Nehemiah's call to 'rise up and build' and the communal rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls echoes the concrete imagery of repairing breaches and restoring dwellings.
- Ezekiel 36:33-36 (thematic): God's promise to rebuild ruined cities and restore devastated land parallels Isaiah's theme of renewing ruined foundations and reviving places for habitation.
- Jeremiah 6:16 (structural): The summons to 'ask for the ancient paths' and return to former ways resonates with Isaiah's language about raising up foundations of many generations and rebuilding what is ancient.
- Isaiah 40:3 (thematic): The motif of preparing a way or making straight paths ('prepare the way of the Lord') parallels Isaiah 58:12's image of repairing breaches and making paths for people to live — both use road/way imagery for restoration and divine action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
- And you shall rebuild the ancient ruins; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations. You shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
Isa.58.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- תשיב: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- משבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רגלך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+SUFF,2,m,sg
- עשות: VERB,qal,inf
- חפציך: NOUN,m,pl,poss:2,m
- ביום: PREP
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- וקראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ענג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקדוש: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מכבד: VERB,piel,part,3,m,sg
- וכבדתו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,poss:3,m
- מעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- דרכיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ממצוא: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- חפצך: NOUN,m,sg,poss:2,m
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-11 (thematic): Command to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy by ceasing ordinary labor, paralleling Isaiah’s call to refrain from personal pursuits and honor the holy day.
- Exodus 31:13-17 (thematic): Describes the Sabbath as a sign and commands cessation of work on the holy day—echoes Isaiah’s emphasis on calling the Sabbath ‘holy to the LORD’ and honoring it.
- Isaiah 56:2,6-7 (verbal): Within Isaiah’s corpus, these verses similarly link true piety with keeping the Sabbath and treating the house of worship as holy, closely related language and promise to Isaiah 58:13.
- Ezekiel 20:12-13 (thematic): God gives the Sabbaths as a sign and reproves Israel for profaning them—parallels Isaiah’s stress on honoring the Sabbath and refraining from self-serving activity.
- Mark 2:27-28 (thematic): Jesus teaches the Sabbath’s purpose for human good and asserts authority over it, resonating with Isaiah’s focus on the Sabbath as an occasion of delight and honoring the LORD rather than pursuing personal aims.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD honorable, and honor it — not pursuing your own ways, not seeking your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,
- If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD honorable, and honor it— not going your own ways, nor seeking your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words—
Isa.58.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- תתענג: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והרכבתיך: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,m,sg
- על: PREP
- במותי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והאכלתיך: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,m,sg
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- כי: CONJ
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 37:4 (verbal): Shares the key exhortation to 'delight yourself in the LORD' and links delight in God with receiving his good gifts or fulfillment of desire.
- Isaiah 40:31 (thematic): Promises exaltation and renewed strength—'mount up' or 'ride on high'—similar imagery of being lifted up by the LORD.
- Psalm 91:14-16 (thematic): God's pledge to those who love him to deliver, set them on high, and satisfy them with long life echoes the promises of exaltation and provision in Isa 58:14.
- Deuteronomy 32:9-12 (allusion): Speaks of the LORD's special care for his portion (Israel), guiding and protecting them like an eagle to high places—paralleling the motifs of inheritance/heritage and being brought to high places in Isa 58:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- then you shall delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride upon the high places of the earth and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
- then you shall take delight in the LORD. I will make you ride upon the high places of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Cry aloud—do not hold back! Like a trumpet, lift up your voice; declare to my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sin.
They seek me day by day and delight to know my ways, as a people that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of me righteous judgments; they desire the nearness of God.
Why have we fasted, and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no account? Behold—on the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and you oppress all your workers.
Behold, you fast for strife and to strike with a wicked fist. Is that the fast I choose— a day to make your voice heard on high?
Is such the fast I will choose: a day to afflict the person, to bow the head like a reed, to spread sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the chains of wickedness, to undo the cords of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house; when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall gather you from behind.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove from your midst the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
and if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
The LORD will continually guide you, satisfy your soul in drought, and make strong your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose streams do not fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations. You shall be called the restorer of the breach, the repairer of streets to dwell in.
If you restrain your foot on the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD honorable, and honor it— not pursuing your own ways, not seeking your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words—
then you shall take delight in the LORD; I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.