Isaiah 66:3
1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?
2 Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
4 So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.
- ASV
- He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog`s neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as he that offereth] swine`s blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations:
- DARBY
- He that slaughtereth an ox, smiteth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, breaketh a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [it is as] swine's blood; he that presenteth a memorial of incense, [is as] he that blesseth an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations,
- BLB
- The one slaughtering an ox strikes down a man; the one sacrificing a lamb breaks the neck a dog; the one offering a grain offering offers the blood of a pig; the one burning incense blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations,
- ÅB
- Den som slakter en okse, er som den som dreper en mann; den som ofrer et lam, er som den som bryter nakken på en hund; den som ofrer matoffer, er som den som ofrer svineblod; den som bærer fram ihukommelsesoffer av virak, er som den som priser avguder. Slik som de har valgt sine egne veier, og deres sjel har behag i deres styggedommer,
- OTB
- Men den som slakter en okse er som en som dreper et menneske; den som ofrer et lam er som en som brekker en hunds nakke; den som gir et grødeoffer er som en som ofrer svineblod; den som brenner røkelse er som en som tilber et idol. De har valgt sine egne veier, og deres sjeler fryder seg i deres avskyeligheter;
- B1930
- Den som slakter en okse, er som den som dreper en mann; den som ofrer et lam, er som den som bryter nakken på en hund; den som ofrer matoffer, er som den som ofrer svineblod; den som bærer frem ihukommelsesoffer av virak, er som den som priser avguder. Likesom de har valgt sine egne veier, og deres sjel har behag i deres vederstyggeligheter,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Read in contextIsaiah 1:11–15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
Read in contextAmos 5:21–22
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.
Read in contextIsaiah 65:12
I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Read in contextIsaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.
Read in contextLeviticus 2:2
and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
Read in contextIsaiah 65:3–4
to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,
Read in contextProverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
Read in context