King James Version

What Does Isaiah 58:5 Mean?

Isaiah 58:5 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 58 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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? a day: or, to afflict his soul for a day?”

Isaiah 58:5 · KJV

Context

3

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. labours: or, things wherewith ye grieve others: Heb. griefs

4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. ye shall: or, ye fast not as this day

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? a day: or, to afflict his soul for a day?

6

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? the heavy: Heb. the bundles of the yoke oppressed: Heb. broken

7

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? cast: or, afflicted

Read Isaiah 58 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Through rhetorical questions, God defines what fasting is NOT: "Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul?" The Hebrew anah nephesh (afflict soul) describes self-denial—the external actions of fasting. "Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?" These were traditional signs of mourning and repentance (Jonah 3:5-6, Daniel 9:3, Esther 4:3). Bulrushes bend easily with the wind—a metaphor for temporary, superficial humility. The penetrating question follows: "Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?" God rejects mere external ritual divorced from internal reality and ethical transformation. This connects to the consistent prophetic critique of ritualism (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 51:16-17, Hosea 6:6, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates that God requires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). The heart's condition, not external religious performance, determines acceptability before God. True fasting flows from genuine repentance and produces justice and mercy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sackcloth and ashes were ancient Near Eastern mourning customs adopted by Israel. These public displays of contrition were commanded for certain occasions (Joel 1:13-14, Jonah 3:5-9) but could become empty performance when hearts remained unchanged. Even in the New Testament era, Jesus encountered similar external religiosity among the Pharisees who paraded their fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) while neglecting the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. What contemporary religious practices might parallel the 'bowing like a bulrush'—outwardly religious but lacking substance?
  2. How do we discern between genuine repentance and merely going through religious motions?
  3. What does God's rejection of empty ritual teach us about acceptable worship in the New Covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
הֲלָזֶה֙1 of 20

“this”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִֽהְיֶה֙2 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

צ֔וֹם3 of 20

“Is it such a fast”

H6685

a fast

אֶבְחָרֵ֔הוּ4 of 20

“that I have chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

וְי֥וֹם5 of 20

“a 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

עַנּ֥וֹת6 of 20

“to afflict”

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אָדָ֖ם7 of 20

“for a man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

נַפְשׁ֑וֹ8 of 20

“his soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הֲלָכֹ֨ף9 of 20

“is it to bow down”

H3721

to curve

כְּאַגְמֹ֜ן10 of 20

“as a bulrush”

H100

a rush (as growing there); collectively a rope of rushes

רֹאשׁ֗וֹ11 of 20

“his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְשַׂ֤ק12 of 20

“sackcloth”

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

וָאֵ֙פֶר֙13 of 20

“and ashes”

H665

ashes

יַצִּ֔יעַ14 of 20

“and to spread”

H3331

to strew as a surface

הֲלָזֶה֙15 of 20

“this”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תִּקְרָא16 of 20

“under him wilt thou call”

H7121

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

צ֔וֹם17 of 20

“Is it such a fast”

H6685

a fast

וְי֥וֹם18 of 20

“a 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

רָצ֖וֹן19 of 20

“and an acceptable”

H7522

delight (especially as shown)

לַיהוָֽה׃20 of 20

“to the LORD”

H3068

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

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 58:5 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 58:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 9:3-19Zechariah 7:5Isaiah 49:8Romans 12:2Esther 4:16Isaiah 61:2

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