Isaiah 65:5

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Which say {H559}, Stand {H7126} by thyself, come not near {H5066} to me; for I am holier {H6942} than thou. These are a smoke {H6227} in my nose {H639}, a fire {H784} that burneth {H3344} all the day {H3117}.

They say, 'Keep your distance, don't come near me, because I am holier than you.' These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day!

They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

that say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Isaiah 65:5 captures God's profound displeasure with a specific group among His people who, despite their outward religious practices, harbored deep spiritual pride and hypocrisy. This verse serves as a powerful indictment against self-righteousness.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 65 where God contrasts His faithful remnant with a rebellious and disobedient Israel. The preceding verses (Isaiah 65:2-4) describe their persistent idolatry, engaging in abominable practices like sacrificing in gardens, burning incense on altars of brick, dwelling among graves, and eating forbidden meats. Yet, astonishingly, the very people involved in these actions are depicted in verse 5 as claiming superior holiness, saying, "Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou." This highlights a stark disconnect between their internal corruption and their outward pretense of piety, a behavior God finds utterly offensive.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Arrogance and Hypocrisy: The core of the verse exposes those who elevate themselves above others based on a self-perceived, often false, sense of purity or righteousness. This "holier than thou" attitude is a form of spiritual pride, which is deeply offensive to God.
  • God's Utter Displeasure: The divine response to such self-exaltation is strong and unequivocal. Their pretense of holiness is not only rejected but actively despised by God, revealing His intolerance for hypocrisy and spiritual pride.
  • The Nature of True Holiness: Implicitly, the verse contrasts this false, self-proclaimed holiness with genuine holiness, which stems from humility and obedience to God, not from outward observance or comparison with others. For a deeper understanding of true righteousness, consider Paul's perspective on righteousness which is of God by faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "holier than thou" in Hebrew conveys a strong sense of ritualistic purity or moral superiority claimed by these individuals. God's reaction, "a smoke in my nose," uses the Hebrew word aph (אַף), which can mean "nose" but often signifies intense "anger" or "wrath." This imagery graphically portrays God's intense irritation and disgust. The subsequent "a fire that burneth all the day" emphasizes the continuous and unceasing nature of God's indignation against such spiritual arrogance.

Practical Application

Isaiah 65:5 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual pride and judgmentalism within any faith community. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts:

  • Humility Over Self-Righteousness: We are called to approach God and others with humility, recognizing that any true holiness we possess comes from Him, not from our own efforts or perceived superiority. Jesus Himself condemned the self-righteous attitude exemplified by the Pharisee in the parable.
  • Authenticity in Faith: God desires genuine faith and a transformed heart, not merely outward religious observance or a show of piety. Our actions and attitudes must align with our profession of faith.
  • Avoiding Judgmentalism: This verse cautions against looking down on others, especially those we deem less spiritual or righteous. Such an attitude is an abomination to the Lord. Instead, we are admonished to not judge one another but to build up the body of Christ in love.

Ultimately, this verse reminds us that true righteousness is characterized by humility, love, and a genuine pursuit of God, not by a haughty declaration of one's own perceived holiness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 18:9

    ¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

  • Luke 18:12

    I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • Proverbs 16:5

    ¶ Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

  • Romans 2:17

    ¶ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

  • Romans 2:29

    But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

  • Luke 15:28

    And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back