Isaiah 58:3
King James Version
10 Jun 2026
“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.”
נֶפֶשׁ
Life, soul, living being. Nephesh. The animating breath God places in every living creature. In animals it is the life force. In humanity it is the seat of emotion, will and identity. Every nephesh belongs to God — from the creatures in the sea to the deepest cry of the human heart.
חֵפֶץ
pleasure
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חֵפֶץ
Delight, desire, pleasure. Chephets. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. When God is your delight He shapes your desires.
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מָצָא
you find
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מָצָא
To find, to discover, to encounter. Matsa. God is findable. He is not playing hide and seek. He actively reveals Himself to genuine seekers.
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רָאָה
you have seen
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רָאָה
To see, to look, to perceive. Raah. The LORD sees not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.
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יָדַע
you know
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יָדַע
To know, to perceive, to be acquainted with. Yada. The deepest form of knowing. God knows you completely and loves you still.
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עָנָה
have we humbled?
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עָנָה
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
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נָגַשׂ
you drive hard
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נָגַשׂ
to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize
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צוּם
have we fasted
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צוּם
to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast
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הֵן
there!
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הֵן
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
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עָצֵב
laborers/ your
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עָצֵב
a (hired) workman
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צוֹם
fasting/ your
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