King James Version

What Does Isaiah 1:11 Mean?

Isaiah 1:11 in the King James Version says “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, a... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. he goats: Heb. great he goats

Isaiah 1:11 · KJV


Context

9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

10

Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

11

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. he goats: Heb. great he goats

12

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? to appear: Heb. to be seen

13

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. iniquity: or, grief


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's rhetorical question demolishes empty ritualism. The multiplication of sacrifices without heart obedience repulses rather than pleases God. The Hebrew 'hefets' (delight) indicates God's positive pleasure is absent when worship divorced from obedience continues. This anticipates Samuel's principle: 'to obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22) and Jesus's critique of Pharisaic religion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite approaching apostasy, eighth-century Judah maintained elaborate temple worship. Isaiah exposes this cognitive dissonance—correct ritual without covenant faithfulness is an abomination to God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you substituting religious activity for authentic obedience in any area of your life?
  2. How does this passage challenge contemporary worship practices that emphasize form over transformed hearts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָמָּה1 of 17

To what

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לִּ֤י2 of 17
H0
רֹב3 of 17

purpose is the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

זִבְחֵיכֶם֙4 of 17

of your sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

יֹאמַ֣ר5 of 17

unto me saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 17

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שָׂבַ֛עְתִּי7 of 17

I am full

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

עֹל֥וֹת8 of 17

of the burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

אֵילִ֖ים9 of 17

of rams

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וְחֵ֣לֶב10 of 17

and the fat

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

מְרִיאִ֑ים11 of 17

of fed beasts

H4806

stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve

וְדַ֨ם12 of 17

not in the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

פָּרִ֧ים13 of 17

of bullocks

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

וּכְבָשִׂ֛ים14 of 17

or of lambs

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

וְעַתּוּדִ֖ים15 of 17

or of he goats

H6260

prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people

לֹ֥א16 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָפָֽצְתִּי׃17 of 17

and I delight

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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