King James Version

What Does Isaiah 61:8 Mean?

Isaiah 61:8 in the King James Version says “For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 61 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”

Isaiah 61:8 · KJV

LoveTruthEternal Life

Context

6

But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7

For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8

For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9

And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

10

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. decketh: Heb. decketh as a priest

Read Isaiah 61 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God explains His motivation: "For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering." The emphatic "I the LORD" (ani Adonai) grounds this in God's character. He loves mishpat (judgment/justice) and hates gazal be'olah (robbery in/for burnt offering)—offerings obtained through oppression or injustice. This echoes the prophetic critique of worship divorced from ethics (Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). The verse continues: "and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." God promises to direct their work (peulah) in truth (emeth)—faithful, reliable guidance. The "everlasting covenant" (berith olam) refers to the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27, realized in Christ's blood (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8-10). From a Reformed perspective, this reveals God's covenant faithfulness grounded in His unchanging character. He loves justice, hates hypocrisy, and establishes an eternal covenant not based on human works but His faithful promise. The new covenant is everlasting because it depends on Christ's finished work, not our performance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's history, the prophets condemned religious hypocrisy—maintaining elaborate worship while practicing injustice (Isaiah 58:1-7, Jeremiah 7:1-11). God rejected sacrifices obtained through oppression or accompanied by unrepentant sin. The everlasting covenant promised here was inaugurated by Christ, whose sacrifice perfectly satisfied divine justice and established eternal security for believers (Hebrews 9:12, 13:20). Unlike the Mosaic covenant that was temporary and breakable, the new covenant is eternal and unbreakable, secured by Christ's mediation (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's love for justice and hatred of religious hypocrisy shape authentic worship?
  2. What makes the new covenant 'everlasting' compared to previous covenants?
  3. How does God 'direct our work in truth' under the new covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֣י1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֤י2 of 15
H589

i

יְהוָה֙3 of 15

“For I the LORD”

H3068

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

אֹהֵ֣ב4 of 15

“love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

מִשְׁפָּ֔ט5 of 15

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

שֹׂנֵ֥א6 of 15

“I hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

גָזֵ֖ל7 of 15

“robbery”

H1498

robbery, or (concretely) plunder

בְּעוֹלָ֑ה8 of 15

“for burnt offering”

H5930

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

וְנָתַתִּ֤י9 of 15

“and I will direct”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

פְעֻלָּתָם֙10 of 15

“their work”

H6468

(abstractly) work

בֶּאֱמֶ֔ת11 of 15

“in truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּבְרִ֥ית12 of 15

“covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

עוֹלָ֖ם13 of 15

“an everlasting”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

אֶכְר֥וֹת14 of 15

“and I will make”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָהֶֽם׃15 of 15
H0

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 61:8 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 61:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 11:7Jeremiah 9:24Zechariah 8:16-17Isaiah 55:3Jeremiah 32:40Genesis 17:7

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