Isaiah 58:5

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Is it such a fast {H6685} that I have chosen {H977}? a day {H3117} for a man {H120} to afflict {H6031} his soul {H5315}? is it to bow down {H3721} his head {H7218} as a bulrush {H100}, and to spread {H3331} sackcloth {H8242} and ashes {H665} under him? wilt thou call {H7121} this {H2088} a fast {H6685}, and an acceptable {H7522} day {H3117} to the LORD {H3068}?

"Is this the sort of fast I want, a day when a person mortifies himself? Is the object to hang your head like a reed and spread sackcloth and ashes under yourself? Is this what you call a fast, a day that pleases ADONAI?

Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Jehovah?

Commentary

Isaiah 58:5 (KJV) presents a powerful rhetorical question from God to His people, challenging their understanding of true worship and genuine fasting. It questions whether outward displays of humility and self-denial are truly what God desires, or if there is a deeper, more meaningful expression of faith.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Isaiah 58 (verses 1-12) where God confronts Israel about their hypocritical religious practices. The people were diligently performing rituals like fasting, yet their actions were not accompanied by justice, compassion, or a changed heart. They complained that God wasn't noticing their fasting, and in response, God exposes the emptiness of their superficial devotion. This verse sets the stage for God to reveal what constitutes a true and acceptable fast, which is characterized by acts of righteousness and care for the needy.

Key Themes

  • Superficiality vs. Sincerity: The verse highlights the stark contrast between merely going through the motions of religious practice and possessing a heart that genuinely seeks God and His will. God is not impressed by outward shows without inward transformation.
  • The Nature of Acceptable Worship: It clarifies that God values genuine spiritual discipline and a righteous lifestyle over ritualistic performance. Bowing the head or wearing sackcloth and ashes, while traditionally signs of repentance, are deemed insufficient if they are not accompanied by true humility and justice.
  • Rhetorical Challenge: The repeated questions ("Is it such a fast...?", "wilt thou call this a fast...?") are designed to provoke reflection and emphasize God's strong disapproval of their misguided priorities in worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "afflict his soul" (Hebrew: ‘innâ nephesh) refers to the traditional practice of self-denial and humbling oneself, commonly associated with fasting. However, God questions the spiritual effectiveness of this affliction. The imagery of "bow down his head as a bulrush" paints a vivid picture of someone drooping or showing external humility, suggesting a lack of true inward brokenness or contriteness. "Sackcloth and ashes" were widely recognized symbols of mourning, deep repentance, and distress in the ancient Near East, but in this context, they are presented as a hollow and performative gesture lacking genuine spiritual substance.

Practical Application

Isaiah 58:5 serves as a timeless challenge for believers today to examine the sincerity of their faith and religious practices. It prompts us to consider:

  • Are our spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, Bible study, church attendance) merely rituals, or do they lead to a transformed heart and life that reflects God's character?
  • Do we prioritize outward appearances of piety over genuine acts of compassion, justice, and love for our neighbors?
  • This verse encourages a holistic approach to faith, where our internal devotion and worship are consistently matched by our external actions, particularly in how we treat the marginalized and vulnerable. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of genuine heart-piety over mere external displays, as seen in His teachings on fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) and serving the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 7:5

    Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?

  • Daniel 9:3

    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

  • Daniel 9:19

    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

  • Isaiah 61:2

    To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

  • Isaiah 49:8

    Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

  • Esther 4:16

    Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

  • Psalms 69:13

    ¶ But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
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