Isaiah 58:4 “You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist…”

Isaiah 58:4

You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

World English Bible

Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You don’t fast today so as to make your voice to be heard on high.

American Standard Version

Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye fast not this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high.

Geneva Bible 1599

Beholde, ye fast to strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickednesse: ye shall not fast as ye doe to day, to make your voyce to be heard aboue.

Darby Translation

Behold, ye have fasted for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye do not at present fast, to cause your voice to be heard on high.

Young's Literal Translation

Lo, for strife and debate ye fast, And to smite with the fist of wickedness, Ye fast not as [to] -day, To sound in the high place your voice.

Bible in Basic English

If keeping from food makes you quickly angry, ready for fighting and giving blows with evil hands; your holy days are not such as to make your voice come to my ears on high.

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Cross references

“ye fast”

1 Kings 21:9–13 Proverbs 21:27 Luke 20:47 John 18:28 Matthew 6:16 Matthew 23:14

1 Kings 21:9–13 · BSB

In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.

Proverbs 21:27 · BSB

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!

Luke 20:47 · BSB

They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

John 18:28 · BSB

Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

Matthew 6:16 · BSB

When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

“and to smite”

Acts 23:1 Acts 23:2 Philippians 1:14 Philippians 1:15

Acts 23:1 · BSB

Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

Acts 23:2 · BSB

At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

Philippians 1:14 · BSB

And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:15 · BSB

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

“to make”

Matthew 6:16–18 Jonah 3:7 Joel 2:13 Joel 2:14

Matthew 6:16–18 · BSB

When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Jonah 3:7 · BSB

Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink.

Joel 2:13 · BSB

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Joel 2:14 · BSB

Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

Also

Isaiah 59:2 Matthew 23:13 Isaiah 59:6

Isaiah 59:2 · BSB

But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Matthew 23:13 · BSB

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Isaiah 59:6 · BSB

Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.

5Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Read Isaiah 58