Isaiah 1:15

"When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood."

Key Reflection

In Isaiah 1:15, God suggests that prayers and offerings made in a spirit of hypocrisy or without genuine repentance are ineffective. He indicates that such actions, characterized by outward gesture without sincere devotion, will not be accepted, highlighting the importance of authentic worship and moral purity.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Ye spread forth your hands -This is an expression denoting the act of supplication. When we ask for help, we naturally stretch out our hands, as if to receive it. The expression therefore is equivalent to ‘when ye pray, or implore mercy.’ CompareExodus 9:29;Exodus 17:11-12;1 Kings 8:22. I will hide mine eyes ... -That is, I will not attend to, or regard your supplications. The Chaldee Paraphrase is, ‘When your priests expand their hands to pray for you.’ Your hands ... -This is given as a reason why he would not hear.

More from Isaiah 1

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