The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? This passage, as Dr. Kay observes, "stands like a homily for the Day of Atonement." Such homilies are found in the uninspired Jewish writings, and are conceived very much in the same spirit.

The Jews call the true fast "the fasting of the heart." To loose the bands of wickedness. To set free those whom wicked persons have wrongfully imprisoned or entangled. To undo the heavy burdens; literally, to untie the thongs of the yoke.

The liberation of a man's slaves, or of Jews captive among the heathen (Nehemiah 5:8), is probably intended. To let the oppressed (literally, the bruised) go free. Remission of debts and restoration of pledges (Nehemiah 10:31; Ezekiel 18:7) are, perhaps, the acts pointed at.

More for Isaiah 58:6

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12Isaiah 58:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryTrue and spurious fasting. Loudly, with all the strength of throat and as with trumpet-voice, the prophet is to cry and denounce the rebellion and the sins of the people. I. THEIR FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY, They consult J…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12Isaiah 58:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryReligion: its semblance, its substance, its reward. I. THE SEMBLANCE OF RELIGION. It argues nothing whatever against religion that there is a great deal of hypocrisy in the world; indeed, the absence would be a more for…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-14Isaiah 58:1-14 · The Pulpit CommentarySECTION VI. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS, FOLLOWED BY A CONFESSION AND A PROMISE (Isaiah 58:1-14; Isaiah 59:1-21.). EXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12Isaiah 58:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryFORMALISM REBUKED AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO FASTING. As in the last section, so here, the prophet's eye seems to rest upon his contemporaries rather than upon the exiles; and to note the vices of the time,…Matthew Henry on Isaiah 58:3-12Isaiah 58:3-12 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryA fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they…A Charge against the People. (b. c. 706.)Isaiah 58:3-7 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleA CHARGE AGAINST THE PEOPLE. (B. C. 706.) Here we have, I. The displeasure which these hypocrites conceived against God for not accepting the services which they themselves had a mighty opinion of (Isaiah 58:3): Wherefo…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12True and spurious fasting. Loudly, with all the strength of throat and as with trumpet-voice, the prophet is to cry and denounce the rebellion and the sins of the people. I. THEIR FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY, They consult J…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12Religion: its semblance, its substance, its reward. I. THE SEMBLANCE OF RELIGION. It argues nothing whatever against religion that there is a great deal of hypocrisy in the world; indeed, the absence would be a more for…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-14SECTION VI. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS, FOLLOWED BY A CONFESSION AND A PROMISE (Isaiah 58:1-14; Isaiah 59:1-21.). EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-12FORMALISM REBUKED AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO FASTING. As in the last section, so here, the prophet's eye seems to rest upon his contemporaries rather than upon the exiles; and to note the vices of the time,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 58:3-12A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they…Matthew Henry commentaryA Charge against the People. (b. c. 706.)A CHARGE AGAINST THE PEOPLE. (B. C. 706.) Here we have, I. The displeasure which these hypocrites conceived against God for not accepting the services which they themselves had a mighty opinion of (Isaiah 58:3): Wherefo…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:3-7Rightful and wrongful fasting need to be carefully distinguished. Among wrong kinds of fasting may be noticed the following. I. PURELY FORMAL FASTING IS WRONG. The fasting that consists in mere abstinence from food, wit…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 58:6A religious fast. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen?" Which? The contrast is seen in the inclusive words from the fourth to the ninth verses. God does not delight in outwardness. The mere mannerism of religion, o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors