Isaiah 66:4

66:3 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

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

KJV

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I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”

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.

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before my eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. ¶

66:5 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.

What does Isaiah 66:4 mean?

Isaiah 66:4 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include בָּחַר (bâchar), תַּעֲלוּל (taʻălûwl), בּוֹא (bôwʼ).

Hebrew interlinear

also

will

chooseבָּחַרbâchar/baw-khar'/H977properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select

their

delusions,תַּעֲלוּלtaʻălûwl/tah-al-ool'/H8586caprice (as a fit coming on), i.e. vexation; concretely a tyrant

and

will

bringבּוֹאbôwʼ/bo/H935to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

their

fearsמְגוּרָהmᵉgûwrâh/meg-oo-raw'/H4035a fright; also a granary

upon

them;

because

when

called,קָרָאqârâʼ/kaw-raw'/H7121to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

none

did

answer;עָנָהʻânâh/aw-naw'/H6030properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce

when

spake,דָבַרdâbar/daw-bar'/H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

they

did

not

hear:שָׁמַעshâmaʻ/shaw-mah'/H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

but

they

didעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

evilרַעraʻ/rah/H7451bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

before

mine

eyes,עַיִןʻayin/ah'-yin/H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

and

choseבָּחַרbâchar/baw-khar'/H977properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select

that

which

delightedחָפֵץchâphêts/khaw-fates'/H2654properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

not.

delusions:

or,

devices

Topics

Hypocrisy

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 66:4.

Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. iniquity: or, grief

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. the wild: Heb. Iim desolate: or, palaces

Isaiah 40:2

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. comfortably: Heb. to the heart warfare: or, appointed time

Isaiah 58:9

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 66:4 say?

Isaiah 66:4 (King James Version) reads: "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"

Is Isaiah 66:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 66:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 66:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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