King James Version

What Does Isaiah 66:3 Mean?

Isaiah 66:3 in the King James Version says “He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offeret...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 66 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. lamb: or, kid burneth: Heb. maketh a memorial of”

Isaiah 66:3 · KJV

Context

1

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool : where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

3

He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. lamb: or, kid burneth: Heb. maketh a memorial of

4

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. delusions: or, devices

5

Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Read Isaiah 66 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God condemns empty ritualism with shocking comparisons: "He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol." The Hebrew structure equates legitimate sacrifices performed with wrong heart to abominations—murder, dog sacrifice (prohibited), swine's blood (unclean), idol worship. God isn't rejecting the sacrificial system per se but exposing that religious performance without heart devotion is spiritually equivalent to paganism. The verse continues: "Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations." The root problem: self-chosen religion rather than God-prescribed worship, taking pleasure (chaphets) in what God abhors. From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates that externally correct worship performed from unregenerate hearts is abominable to God (Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 1:11-15). The heart condition determines acceptability, not ritual correctness. Under the new covenant, this warns against empty sacramentalism—participating in baptism or communion without genuine faith and repentance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This addressed the post-exilic community that had rebuilt the temple and resumed sacrifices yet maintained corrupt hearts (Malachi 1:6-14, 3:13-15). Their ritually correct worship was spiritually worthless. Jesus made similar condemnations of Pharisaic religion—externally meticulous, internally corrupt (Matthew 23:25-28). The principle continues: religious observance divorced from heart transformation is abominable. True worship requires Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), not merely external conformity to religious forms.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might contemporary Christians maintain externally correct religious practices while harboring unregenerate hearts?
  2. What makes religious ritual become equivalent to abomination in God's eyes?
  3. How do we ensure our worship and religious observances flow from transformed hearts rather than mere tradition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
שׁוֹחֵ֨ט1 of 23

“He that killeth”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

הַשּׁ֜וֹר2 of 23

“an ox”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

מַכֵּה3 of 23

“is as if he slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אִ֗ישׁ4 of 23

“a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

זוֹבֵ֤חַ5 of 23

“he that sacrificeth”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

הַשֶּׂה֙6 of 23

“a lamb”

H7716

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

עֹ֣רֵֽף7 of 23

“as if he cut off”

H6202

to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy

כֶּ֔לֶב8 of 23

“a dog's”

H3611

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

מַעֲלֵ֤ה9 of 23

“he that offereth”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִנְחָה֙10 of 23

“an oblation”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

דַּם11 of 23

“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

חֲזִ֔יר12 of 23

“as if he offered swine's”

H2386

a hog (perhaps as penned)

מַזְכִּ֥יר13 of 23

“he that burneth”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

לְבֹנָ֖ה14 of 23

“incense”

H3828

frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)

מְבָ֣רֵֽךְ15 of 23

“as if he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אָ֑וֶן16 of 23

“an idol”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

גַּם17 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֗מָּה18 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בָּֽחֲרוּ֙19 of 23

“Yea they have chosen”

H977

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

בְּדַרְכֵיהֶ֔ם20 of 23

“their own ways”

H1870

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

וּבְשִׁקּוּצֵיהֶ֖ם21 of 23

“in their abominations”

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

נַפְשָׁ֥ם22 of 23

“and their 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

חָפֵֽצָה׃23 of 23

“delighteth”

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 66:3 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 66:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 15:8Amos 5:21-22Isaiah 1:11-15Isaiah 66:17Leviticus 2:2Isaiah 65:12

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