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Selected Verse: Isaiah 1:11 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 1:11	Strong Concordance	To what [04100] purpose is the multitude [07230] of your sacrifices [02077] unto me? saith [0559] the LORD [03068]: I am full [07646] of the burnt offerings [05930] of rams [0352], and the fat [02459] of fed beasts [04806]; and I delight [02654] not in the blood [01818] of bullocks [06499], or of lambs [03532], or of he goats [06260].
	King James	To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
God does not here absolutely disparage sacrifice, which is as old and universal as sin (Gen 3:21; Gen 4:4), and sin is almost as old as the world; but sacrifice, unaccompanied with obedience of heart and life (Sa1 15:22; Psa 50:9-13; Psa 51:16-19; Hos 6:6). Positive precepts are only means; moral obedience is the end. A foreshadowing of the gospel, when the One real sacrifice was to supersede all the shadowy ones, and "bring in everlasting righteousness" (Psa 40:6-7; Dan 9:24-27; Heb 10:1-14). full--to satiety; weary of burnt offerings--burnt whole, except the blood, which was sprinkled about the altar. fat--not to be eaten by man, but burnt on the altar (Lev 3:4-5, Lev 3:11, Lev 3:17).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

God does not here absolutely disparage sacrifice, which is as old and universal as sin (Gen 3:21; Gen 4:4), and sin is almost as old as the world; but sacrifice, unaccompanied with obedience of heart and life (Sa1 15:22; Psa 50:9-13; Psa 51:16-19; Hos 6:6). Positive precepts are only means; moral obedience is the end. A foreshadowing of the gospel, when the One real sacrifice was to supersede all the shadowy ones, and "bring in everlasting righteousness" (Psa 40:6-7; Dan 9:24-27; Heb 10:1-14).

full--to satiety; weary of

burnt offerings--burnt whole, except the blood, which was sprinkled about the altar.

fat--not to be eaten by man, but burnt on the altar (Lev 3:4-5, Lev 3:11, Lev 3:17).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
To what purpose - לי למה lâmâh lı̂y. 'What is it to me; or what profit or pleasure can I have in them?' God here replies to an objection which might be urged by the Jews to the representation which had been made of their guilt. The objection would be, that they were strict in the duties of their religion, and that they even abounded in offering victims of sacrifice. God replies in this and the following verses, that all this would be of no use, and would meet with no acceptance, unless it were the offering of the heart. He demanded righteousness; and without that, all external offerings would be vain. The same sentiment often occurs in the Old Testament. Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. Sa1 15:22. To what purpose shall frankincense be brought unto me from Sabah? Or the rich aromatic reed from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices pleasant unto me. Jer 6:20. Blaney. For I desired mercy and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings. Hos 6:6. I hate, I despise your solemn feast days, And I will not smell in your solemn assemblies; Though ye offer me your burnt-offerings, And your meat-offerings I will not accept them; Neither will I regard the thank-offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; For I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, And righteousness as a mighty stream. Amo 5:21-24. Is the multitude - There was no deficiency in the amount of offerings. It was admitted that they complied in this respect with the requirements of the law; and that they offered an abundance of sacrifices, so numerous as to be called a multitude - רב rôb, a vast number. Hypocrites abound in outward religious observances just in proportion to their neglect of the spiritual requirements of God's word; compare Mat 23:23. Your sacrifices - זבחיכב zibechēykeb, from זבח zâbach, to slay; especially to slay for sacrifice. The word used here denotes any sacrifice which was made by blood; but is distinguished from the burnt-offering from the fat, that this was not entirely consumed. It is applied to the sin-offering, trespass-offering, thank-offering. The word also stands opposed to the offerings which were made without blood מנחה minchāh. Any offering that consisted in an animal that was slain came under this general denomination of sacrifice, Exo 10:25; Lev 17:8; Num 15:5. burnt-offerings - עלות 'olôth, from עלה ‛âlâh, to go up, ascend. It is applied to a sacrifice that was wholly consumed, or made to ascend on an altar. It corresponds to the Greek ὁλόκαυστον holokauston, that which is entirely consumed. Such offerings abounded among the Hebrews. The burnt-offering was wholly consumed on the altar, excepting the skin and the blood. The blood was sprinkled round the altar, and the other parts of the animal which was slain, were laid upon the altar and entirely burned; see Lev. 1. This was commonly a voluntary offering; and this shows their zeal to comply with the external forms of religion. I am full - שׂבעתי s'âba‛etı̂y, I am satiated. The word is usually applied to food and drink, denoting satisfaction, or satiety. It is used here with great force, denoting that their offerings had been so numerous and so incessant, that God was satiated with them. It means that he was weary, tired, disgusted with them. Thus, in Job 7:4 : 'I am full - שׂבעתי s'âba‛etı̂y - of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.' Pro 25:17 : Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary (Hebrew full) of thee, and hate thee. Fat ... - They were required to offer, not the lame, or the diseased Deu 15:21; Deu 17:1; Lev 23:12; Mal 1:7-8; and God admits here that they had externally complied with this requirement. The fat was burned on the altar. I delight not - That is; I delight; not in them when offered without the heart; or I delight not in them in comparison with works of righteousness; see Amo 5:21-24; Ps. 4:9-13; Psa 51:16-19.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

To what purpose - לי למה lâmâh lı̂y. 'What is it to me; or what profit or pleasure can I have in them?' God here replies to an objection which might be urged by the Jews to the representation which had been made of their guilt. The objection would be, that they were strict in the duties of their religion, and that they even abounded in offering victims of sacrifice. God replies in this and the following verses, that all this would be of no use, and would meet with no acceptance, unless it were the offering of the heart. He demanded righteousness; and without that, all external offerings would be vain. The same sentiment often occurs in the Old Testament.

Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices

As in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to hearken than the fat of rams.

Sa1 15:22.

To what purpose shall frankincense be brought unto me from Sabah?

Or the rich aromatic reed from a far country?

Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable,

Nor your sacrifices pleasant unto me.

Jer 6:20. Blaney.

For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;

And the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

Hos 6:6.

I hate, I despise your solemn feast days,

And I will not smell in your solemn assemblies;

Though ye offer me your burnt-offerings,

And your meat-offerings

I will not accept them;

Neither will I regard the thank-offerings of your fat beasts.

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs;

For I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

But let judgment run down as waters,

And righteousness as a mighty stream.

Amo 5:21-24.

Is the multitude - There was no deficiency in the amount of offerings. It was admitted that they complied in this respect with the requirements of the law; and that they offered an abundance of sacrifices, so numerous as to be called a multitude - רב rôb, a vast number. Hypocrites abound in outward religious observances just in proportion to their neglect of the spiritual requirements of God's word; compare Mat 23:23.

Your sacrifices - זבחיכב zibechēykeb, from זבח zâbach, to slay; especially to slay for sacrifice. The word used here denotes any sacrifice which was made by blood; but is distinguished from the burnt-offering from the fat, that this was not entirely consumed. It is applied to the sin-offering, trespass-offering, thank-offering. The word also stands opposed to the offerings which were made without blood מנחה minchāh. Any offering that consisted in an animal that was slain came under this general denomination of sacrifice, Exo 10:25; Lev 17:8; Num 15:5.

burnt-offerings - עלות 'olôth, from עלה ‛âlâh, to go up, ascend. It is applied to a sacrifice that was wholly consumed, or made to ascend on an altar. It corresponds to the Greek ὁλόκαυστον holokauston, that which is entirely consumed. Such offerings abounded among the Hebrews. The burnt-offering was wholly consumed on the altar, excepting the skin and the blood. The blood was sprinkled round the altar, and the other parts of the animal which was slain, were laid upon the altar and entirely burned; see Lev. 1. This was commonly a voluntary offering; and this shows their zeal to comply with the external forms of religion.

I am full - שׂבעתי s'âba‛etı̂y, I am satiated. The word is usually applied to food and drink, denoting satisfaction, or satiety. It is used here with great force, denoting that their offerings had been so numerous and so incessant, that God was satiated with them. It means that he was weary, tired, disgusted with them. Thus, in Job 7:4 : 'I am full - שׂבעתי s'âba‛etı̂y - of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.' Pro 25:17 :

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house,

Lest he be weary (Hebrew full) of thee, and hate thee.

Fat ... - They were required to offer, not the lame, or the diseased Deu 15:21; Deu 17:1; Lev 23:12; Mal 1:7-8; and God admits here that they had externally complied with this requirement. The fat was burned on the altar.

I delight not - That is; I delight; not in them when offered without the heart; or I delight not in them in comparison with works of righteousness; see Amo 5:21-24; Ps. 4:9-13; Psa 51:16-19.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
To me - Who am a spirit, and therefore cannot be satisfied with such carnal oblations, but expect to have your hearts and lives, as well as your bodies and sacrifices, presented unto me. Blood - He mentions the fat and blood, because these were in a peculiar manner reserved for God, to intimate that even the best of their sacrifices were rejected by him.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
To what purpose, etc. "What have I to do" - The prophet Amos has expressed the same sentiments with great elegance: - I hate, I despise your feasts; And I will not delight in the odour of your solemnities: Though ye offer unto me burnt-offerings And your meat-offerings, I will not accept: Neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fatlings. Take away from me the noise of your songs; And the melody of your viols I will not hear. But let judgment roll down like waters; And righteousness like a mighty stream. Amo 5:21-24. So has Persius; see Sat. 2 v. 71-75: - "Quin damus id Superis, de magna quod dare lanae," etc. The two or three last pages of Plato's Euthyphro contain the same idea. Sacrifices and prayers are not profitable to the offerer, nor acceptable to the gods, unless accompanied with an upright life. The fat of fed beasts, etc. - The fat and the blood are particularly mentioned, because these were in all sacrifices set apart to God. The fat was always burnt upon the altar, and the blood was partly sprinkled, differently on different occasions, and partly poured out at the bottom of the altar. See Leviticus 4.

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¹⁷ It shall be a perpetual [05769] statute [02708] for your generations [01755] throughout all your dwellings [04186], that ye eat [0398] neither fat [02459] nor blood [01818].

¹¹ And the priest [03548] shall burn [06999] it upon the altar [04196]: it is the food [03899] of the offering made by fire [0801] unto the LORD [03068].

⁴ And the two [08147] kidneys [03629], and the fat [02459] that is on them, which is by the flanks [03689], and the caul [03508] above the liver [03516], with the kidneys [03629], it shall he take away [05493].
⁵ And Aaron's [0175] sons [01121] shall burn [06999] it on the altar [04196] upon the burnt sacrifice [05930], which is upon the wood [06086] that is on the fire [0784]: it is an offering made by fire [0801], of a sweet [05207] savour [07381] unto the LORD [03068].

¹ For [1063] the law [3551] having [2192] a shadow [4639] of good things [18] to come [3195], and not [3756] the very [846] image [1504] of the things [4229], can [1410] never [3763] with those [846] sacrifices [2378] which [3739] they offered [4374] year by year [2596] [1763] continually [1519] [1336] make [5048] the comers thereunto [4334] perfect [5048].
² For then [1893] would they [302] not [3756] have ceased [3973] to be offered [4374]? because [1223] that the worshippers [3000] once [530] purged [2508] should have had [2192] no [3367] more [2089] conscience [4893] of sins [266].
³ But [235] in [1722] those [846] sacrifices there is a remembrance again [364] made of sins [266] every [2596] year [1763].
⁴ For [1063] it is not possible [102] that the blood [129] of bulls [5022] and [2532] of goats [5131] should take away [851] sins [266].
⁵ Wherefore [1352] when he cometh [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], he saith [3004], Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], but [1161] a body [4983] hast thou prepared [2675] me [3427]:
⁶ In burnt offerings [3646] and [2532] sacrifices for [4012] sin [266] thou hast had [2106] no [3756] pleasure [2106].
⁷ Then [5119] said I [2036], Lo [2400], I come [2240] (in [1722] the volume [2777] of the book [975] it is written [1125] of [4012] me [1700],) to do [4160] thy [4675] will [2307], O God [2316].
⁸ Above [511] when he said [3004], [3754] Sacrifice [2378] and [2532] offering [4376] and [2532] burnt offerings [3646] and [2532] offering for [4012] sin [266] thou wouldest [2309] not [3756], neither [3761] hadst pleasure [2106] therein; which [3748] are offered [4374] by [2596] the law [3551];
⁹ Then [5119] said he [2046], Lo [2400], I come [2240] to do [4160] thy [4675] will [2307], O God [2316]. He taketh away [337] the first [4413], that [2443] he may establish [2476] the second [1208].
¹⁰ By [1722] the which [3739] will [2307] we are [2070] sanctified [37] through [1223] the offering [4376] of the body [4983] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] once [2178] for all.
¹¹ And [2532] [3303] every [3956] priest [2409] standeth [2476] daily [2596] [2250] ministering [3008] and [2532] offering [4374] oftentimes [4178] the same [846] sacrifices [2378], which [3748] can [1410] never [3763] take away [4014] sins [266]:
¹² But [1161] this man [846], after he had offered [4374] one [3391] sacrifice [2378] for [5228] sins [266] for [1519] ever [1336], sat down [2523] on [1722] the right hand [1188] of God [2316];
¹³ From henceforth [3063] expecting [1551] till [2193] his [846] enemies [2190] be made [5087] his [846] footstool [5286] [4228].
¹⁴ For [1063] by one [3391] offering [4376] he hath perfected [5048] for [1519] ever [1336] them that are sanctified [37].

²⁴ Seventy [07657] weeks [07620] are determined [02852] upon thy people [05971] and upon thy holy [06944] city [05892], to finish [03607] the transgression [06588], and to make an end [08552] [02856] of sins [02403], and to make reconciliation [03722] for iniquity [05771], and to bring in [0935] everlasting [05769] righteousness [06664], and to seal up [02856] the vision [02377] and prophecy [05030], and to anoint [04886] the most [06944] Holy [06944].
²⁵ Know [03045] therefore and understand [07919], that from the going forth [04161] of the commandment [01697] to restore [07725] and to build [01129] Jerusalem [03389] unto the Messiah [04899] the Prince [05057] shall be seven [07651] weeks [07620], and threescore [08346] and two [08147] weeks [07620]: the street [07339] shall be built [01129] again [07725], and the wall [02742], even in troublous [06695] times [06256].
²⁶ And after [0310] threescore [08346] and two [08147] weeks [07620] shall Messiah [04899] be cut off [03772], but not for himself: and the people [05971] of the prince [05057] that shall come [0935] shall destroy [07843] the city [05892] and the sanctuary [06944]; and the end [07093] thereof shall be with a flood [07858], and unto the end [07093] of the war [04421] desolations [08074] are determined [02782].
²⁷ And he shall confirm [01396] the covenant [01285] with many [07227] for one [0259] week [07620]: and in the midst [02677] of the week [07620] he shall cause the sacrifice [02077] and the oblation [04503] to cease [07673], and for the overspreading [03671] of abominations [08251] he shall make it desolate [08074], even until the consummation [03617], and that determined [02782] shall be poured [05413] upon the desolate [08074].

⁶ Sacrifice [02077] and offering [04503] thou didst not desire [02654]; mine ears [0241] hast thou opened [03738]: burnt offering [05930] and sin offering [02401] hast thou not required [07592].
⁷ Then said [0559] I, Lo, I come [0935]: in the volume [04039] of the book [05612] it is written [03789] of me,

⁶ For I desired [02654] mercy [02617], and not sacrifice [02077]; and the knowledge [01847] of God [0430] more than burnt offerings [05930].

¹⁶ For thou desirest [02654] not sacrifice [02077]; else would I give [05414] it: thou delightest [07521] not in burnt offering [05930].
¹⁷ The sacrifices [02077] of God [0430] are a broken [07665] spirit [07307]: a broken [07665] and a contrite [01794] heart [03820], O God [0430], thou wilt not despise [0959].
¹⁸ Do good [03190] in thy good pleasure [07522] unto Zion [06726]: build [01129] thou the walls [02346] of Jerusalem [03389].
¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased [02654] with the sacrifices [02077] of righteousness [06664], with burnt offering [05930] and whole [03632] burnt offering [05930]: then shall they offer [05927] bullocks [06499] upon thine altar [04196].

⁹ I will take [03947] no bullock [06499] out of thy house [01004], nor he goats [06260] out of thy folds [04356].
¹⁰ For every beast [02416] of the forest [03293] is mine, and the cattle [0929] upon a thousand [0505] hills [02042].
¹¹ I know [03045] all the fowls [05775] of the mountains [02022]: and the wild beasts [02123] of the field [07704] are mine [05978].
¹² If I were hungry [07456], I would not tell [0559] thee: for the world [08398] is mine, and the fulness [04393] thereof.
¹³ Will I eat [0398] the flesh [01320] of bulls [047], or drink [08354] the blood [01818] of goats [06260]?

²² And Samuel [08050] said [0559], Hath the LORD [03068] as great delight [02656] in burnt offerings [05930] and sacrifices [02077], as in obeying [08085] the voice [06963] of the LORD [03068]? Behold, to obey [08085] is better [02896] than sacrifice [02077], and to hearken [07181] than the fat [02459] of rams [0352].

⁴ And Abel [01893], he [01931] also brought [0935] of the firstlings [01062] of his flock [06629] and of the fat [02459] thereof. And the LORD [03068] had respect [08159] unto Abel [01893] and to his offering [04503]:

²¹ Unto Adam [0120] also and to his wife [0802] did the LORD [03068] God [0430] make [06213] coats [03801] of skins [05785], and clothed them [03847].

²¹ I hate [08130], I despise [03988] your feast days [02282], and I will not smell [07306] in your solemn assemblies [06116].
²² Though ye offer [05927] me burnt offerings [05930] and your meat offerings [04503], I will not accept [07521] them: neither will I regard [05027] the peace offerings [08002] of your fat beasts [04806].
²³ Take thou away [05493] from me the noise [01995] of thy songs [07892]; for I will not hear [08085] the melody [02172] of thy viols [05035].
²⁴ But let judgment [04941] run down [01556] as waters [04325], and righteousness [06666] as a mighty [0386] stream [05158].

⁷ Ye offer [05066] polluted [01351] bread [03899] upon mine altar [04196]; and ye say [0559], Wherein have we polluted [01351] thee? In that ye say [0559], The table [07979] of the LORD [03068] is contemptible [0959].
⁸ And if ye offer [05066] the blind [05787] for sacrifice [02076], is it not evil [07451]? and if ye offer [05066] the lame [06455] and sick [02470], is it not evil [07451]? offer [07126] it now unto thy governor [06346]; will he be pleased [07521] with thee, or accept [05375] thy person [06440]? saith [0559] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635].

¹² And ye shall offer [06213] that day [03117] when ye wave [05130] the sheaf [06016] an he lamb [03532] without blemish [08549] of the first [01121] year [08141] for a burnt offering [05930] unto the LORD [03068].

¹ Thou shalt not sacrifice [02076] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] any bullock [07794], or sheep [07716], wherein is blemish [03971], or any evilfavouredness [07451] [01697]: for that is an abomination [08441] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430].

²¹ And if there be any blemish [03971] therein, as if it be lame [06455], or blind [05787], or have any ill [07451] blemish [03971], thou shalt not sacrifice [02076] it unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430].

¹⁷ Withdraw [03365] thy foot [07272] from thy neighbour's [07453] house [01004]; lest he be weary [07646] of thee, and so hate [08130] thee.

⁴ When I lie down [07901], I say [0559], When shall I arise [06965], and the night [06153] be gone [04059]? and I am full [07646] of tossings to and fro [05076] unto the dawning of the day [05399].

⁵ And the fourth [07243] part of an hin [01969] of wine [03196] for a drink offering [05262] shalt thou prepare [06213] with the burnt offering [05930] or sacrifice [02077], for one [0259] lamb [03532].

⁸ And thou shalt say [0559] unto them, Whatsoever man [0376] there be of the house [01004] of Israel [03478], or of the strangers [01616] which sojourn [01481] among [08432] you, that offereth [05927] a burnt offering [05930] or sacrifice [02077],

²⁵ And Moses [04872] said [0559], Thou must give [05414] us [03027] also sacrifices [02077] and burnt offerings [05930], that we may sacrifice [06213] unto the LORD [03068] our God [0430].

²³ Woe [3759] unto you [5213], scribes [1122] and [2532] Pharisees [5330], hypocrites [5273]! for [3754] ye pay tithe [586] of mint [2238] and [2532] anise [432] and [2532] cummin [2951], and [2532] have omitted [863] the weightier [926] matters of the law [3551], judgment [2920], [2532] mercy [1656], and [2532] faith [4102]: these [5023] ought ye [1163] to have done [4160], and not [3361] to leave [863] the other [2548] undone [863].

⁶ For I desired [02654] mercy [02617], and not sacrifice [02077]; and the knowledge [01847] of God [0430] more than burnt offerings [05930].

²⁰ To what purpose cometh [0935] there to me incense [03828] from Sheba [07614], and the sweet [02896] cane [07070] from a far [04801] country [0776]? your burnt offerings [05930] are not acceptable [07522], nor your sacrifices [02077] sweet [06149] unto me.