Bible/Isaiah/66

Isaiah 66:3

66:2 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.
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

KJV

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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:

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.

He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offers an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.

66:4 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

What does Isaiah 66:3 mean?

Isaiah 66:3 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ), שׁוֹר (shôwr), נָכָה (nâkâh).

Hebrew interlinear

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He
that
killethשָׁחַטshâchaṭ/shaw-khat'/H7819to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
an
oxשׁוֹרshôwr/shore/H7794a bullock (as a traveller)
is
as
if
he
slewנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
a
man;אִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a 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)
he
that
sacrificethזָבַחzâbach/zaw-bakh'/H2076to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
a
lamb,שֶׂהseh/seh/H7716a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat
as
if
he
cut
offעָרַףʻâraph/aw-raf'/H6202to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy
a
dog'sכֶּלֶבkeleb/keh'-leb/H3611a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
neck;עָרַףʻâraph/aw-raf'/H6202to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy
he
that
offerethעָלָהʻâlâh/aw-law'/H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
an
oblation,מִנְחָהminchâh/min-khaw'/H4503a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
as
if
he
offered
swine'sחֲזִירchăzîyr/khaz-eer'/H2386a hog (perhaps as penned)
blood;דָּםdâm/dawm/H1818blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood)
he
that
burnethזָכַרzâkar/zaw-kar'/H2142properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
incense,לְבוֹנָהlᵉbôwnâh/leb-o-naw'/H3828frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
as
if
he
blessedבָרַךְbârak/baw-rak'/H1288to 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 treason)
an
idol.אָוֶןʼâven/aw-ven'/H205strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
Yea,
they
have
chosenבָּחַרbâchar/baw-khar'/H977properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
their
own
ways,דֶּרֶךְderek/deh'-rek/H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
and
their
soulנֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
delightethחָפֵץchâphêts/khaw-fates'/H2654properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
in
their
abominations.שִׁקּוּץshiqqûwts/shik-koots'/H8251disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
lamb:
or,
kid
burneth:
Heb.
maketh
a
memorial
of

Topics

HypocrisySacrificesSwine

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 66:3.

Deuteronomy 17:1

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. sheep: or, goat

Deuteronomy 18:3

And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

Deuteronomy 14:4

These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,

Deuteronomy 22:1

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.

Deuteronomy 25:11

When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

Exodus 13:13

And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. lamb: or, kid

Exodus 21:29

But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

Exodus 22:1

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. or a sheep: or, or a goat

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 66:3 say?

Isaiah 66:3 (King James Version) reads: "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"

Is Isaiah 66:3 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 66:3 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 66:3, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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