Isaiah 58:5 Cross References

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Isaiah 58:5. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

Isaiah 58:5 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Isaiah 58:5 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Zechariah 7:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Zechariah 7:5 (KJV) »
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?

Daniel 9:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Daniel 9:3 (KJV) »
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Isaiah 49:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 49:8 (KJV) »
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Isaiah 61:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 61:2 (KJV) »
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Leviticus 16:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 16:29 (KJV) »
And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Luke 4:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
Luke 4:19 (KJV) »
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Psalms 69:13 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 69:13 (KJV) »
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Esther 4:16 KJV Bible Verse Image
Esther 4:16 (KJV) »
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

1 Peter 2:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV) »
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Romans 12:2 (KJV) »
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Kings 21:27 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 21:27 (KJV) »
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

2 Kings 6:30 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 6:30 (KJV) »
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Jonah 3:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jonah 3:5 (KJV) »
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

2 Chronicles 20:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Chronicles 20:3 (KJV) »
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Isaiah 58:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 58:3 (KJV) »
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Ezra 10:6 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ezra 10:6 (KJV) »
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

Nehemiah 9:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
Nehemiah 9:1 (KJV) »
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.

Esther 4:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Esther 4:3 (KJV) »
And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Job 2:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Job 2:8 (KJV) »
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Isaiah 58:5 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Understanding Isaiah 58:5

Isaiah 58:5 (KJV): "Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?"

Summary of Isaiah 58:5

This verse critiques the shallow practice of fasting as a ritual without true sincerity. God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, challenges the people’s understanding of what constitutes an acceptable fast. It indicates that external acts of humility, such as sackcloth and ashes, are inadequate if not accompanied by genuine repentance and a transformed heart.

Insights from Commentators

  • Matthew Henry: Henry emphasizes that God is disinterested in mere rituals. True fasting should reflect a deeper misery for sin and a longing for God's grace, rather than just outward signs of humility.
  • Albert Barnes: Barnes elucidates that the fast should not simply be about self-affliction. The focus should be on humbling oneself before the Lord to seek His will sincerely, indicating a heart that is genuinely turned towards God.
  • Adam Clarke: Clarke affirms the need for an inner transformation instead of mere outward displays. He suggests that the acts of submission must arise from a true state of remorse for wrongdoing rather than just a tradition or duty.

Thematic Connections

Isaiah 58:5 serves as a springboard for exploring multiple themes found throughout scripture:

  • Authenticity in Worship: This verse connects to the broader biblical teaching that God desires genuine worship rather than empty rituals (John 4:24).
  • True Repentance: The idea of sincere repentance is echoed in other passages such as Joel 2:12-13, which calls the people to return to the Lord with all their heart.
  • God’s Preference: Micah 6:6-8 outlines what God requires from His people, emphasizing justice, mercy, and humility over ritualistic practices.
  • Internal vs. External Religion: Matthew 23:27-28 rebukes the Pharisees for being outwardly righteous while being inwardly corrupt.

Bible Verse Cross-References

Isaiah 58:5 connects richly with several other scriptures, illustrating the continuity of biblical themes:

  • Matthew 6:16-18: Jesus discusses fasting, insisting that it should be private and done for God, not for the outward appearance.
  • Joel 2:12-13: Calls for heartfelt return to the Lord, stressing the importance of the inner attitude rather than external actions.
  • Micah 6:6-8: Defines what constitutes a true offering to God, emphasizing justice and mercy over ritual compliance.
  • 1 Samuel 16:7: "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
  • Psalms 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
  • Ezekiel 18:30: Calls upon Israel to turn from all their offenses so sin will not be their downfall, emphasizing repentance.
  • Hebrews 10:22: Encourages believers to draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

Engaging with Isaiah 58:5 calls for utilizing various tools and methods for effective cross-referencing:

  • Bible Concordance: A Bible concordance can help locate verses that relate to specific themes, aiding in deeper study.
  • Cross-Reference Bible Study: Techniques for identifying parallel verses can enhance understanding of scriptural principles.
  • Bible Reference Resources: Using comprehensive resources can help in exploring links between different biblical texts.
  • Chain References: This method generates a sequence of verses that are interconnected, providing insight into the continuity of God's message.

Conclusion

Isaiah 58:5 serves as a poignant reminder that God values authenticity in worship over mere external obedience. The commentator insights, thematic connections, and cross-referencing emphasize a central biblical truth: God desires our hearts and genuine devotion. To explore this deeper, utilizing tools like Bible concordances and cross-reference guides will enhance one's understanding of the connections between Bible verses.