King James Version

What Does Isaiah 58:13 Mean?

Isaiah 58:13 in the King James Version says “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 58 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Isaiah 58:13 · KJV


Context

11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. drought: Heb. droughts fail: Heb. lie, or, deceive

12

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The conditional promise 'If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day' establishes that Sabbath-keeping requires intentional restraint from pursuing personal agenda. The call to make Sabbath a 'delight' rather than burden transforms duty to joy. The promise 'then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD' shows that Sabbath properly observed deepens intimacy with God, not mere external compliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sabbath-breaking was chronic issue for Israel (Nehemiah 13:15-22), indicating deeper heart problem - preferring personal pleasure over God's appointed rest. Jesus clarified Sabbath's purpose (Mark 2:27 - 'made for man'), showing it's gracious gift, not legalistic burden.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance Sabbath rest with the reality that New Covenant Christians aren't under Old Testament ceremonial law?
  2. What does it mean to 'delight in the LORD' through weekly rhythm of rest and worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אִם1 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תָּשִׁ֤יב2 of 21

If thou turn away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לַשַּׁבָּ֜ת3 of 21

from the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

רַגְלֶ֔ךָ4 of 21

thy foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מֵעֲשׂ֣וֹת5 of 21

from doing

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶפְצְךָ֖6 of 21

thine own pleasure

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

בְּי֣וֹם7 of 21

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

קָדְשִׁ֑י8 of 21

on my holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְקָרָ֨אתָ9 of 21

and call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לַשַּׁבָּ֜ת10 of 21

from the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

עֹ֗נֶג11 of 21

a delight

H6027

luxury

לִקְד֤וֹשׁ12 of 21

the holy

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יְהוָה֙13 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

וְכִבַּדְתּוֹ֙14 of 21

and shalt honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

וְכִבַּדְתּוֹ֙15 of 21

and shalt honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

מֵעֲשׂ֣וֹת16 of 21

from doing

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

דְּרָכֶ֔יךָ17 of 21

thine own ways

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

מִמְּצ֥וֹא18 of 21

nor finding

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֶפְצְךָ֖19 of 21

thine own pleasure

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

וְדַבֵּ֥ר20 of 21

nor speaking

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

דָּבָֽר׃21 of 21

thine own words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause


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 58:13 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 58:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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