Isaiah 1:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The forty-ninth Psalm bears a resemblance to this passage, expressing similar ideas through different wording. The verse that states, “He calls heaven and earth from above, to judge His people” (Ps. 49:4), echoes the sentiment found in “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken” (Isa. 1:2), along with what follows. David questions, “Why should I have a multitude of your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings…” (Ps. 49:8); this reflects Isaiah’s declaration, “What purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. David further adds, “I will not take a young bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds” (Ps. 49:9), while Isaiah states, “I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats” (Isa. 1:11).

If you present these offerings to Me as if I were in need, you have clearly missed the mark and strayed from the true and wise understanding of sacrifices. The One who has filled everything with His presence requires nothing. All creation is His, and everything is granted to us by Him. Reflect on what you have received (1 Cor. 4:7). This, in fairness, He can declare to the beings He created. Therefore, He says He despises these offerings and is not pleased with them, having no desire for further sacrifices from you. Tell me, what benefit is there to the God of all creation in a ram presented as a burnt offering? What delight can He find in the fat of lambs? And if the blood of goats and oxen is brought to Him, what joy can God derive from it? Who truly receives it from your hands?

The Septuagint renders the phrase “I did not want” as “I do not want,” shifting from the past to the present tense. This reflects the Hebrew text's indication that God has never desired sacrifices from His people, as articulated in Psalm 49: “I will not accept calves from your house or goats from your flocks; for every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world and its fullness are Mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” (Psalm 49:9-13).

The Lord declares, "I am overwhelmed with these matters: I am content with My offerings; I do not desire yours, nor do I wish for burnt sacrifices of rams, the fat of lambs, or the blood of bulls and goats. You shall not present such things before My sight."

Do not believe that the prophet Isaiah addresses the people of Sodom when he proclaims, "Hear the word of the Lord, ye princes of Sodom" (Isaiah 1:10). Instead, this message is directed towards the leaders of the Jewish people, who, along with their followers, mirrored the immoral conduct of the Sodomites in their actions. The Prophet continues by stating, "Hear ye the law of God, ye people of Gomorrah: to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord" (11). It is well understood that it was not the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah who offered sacrifices to God, but the Israelites.

The Lord's displeasure is directed not only at the Jews who have turned away from Him and embrace pagan lifestyles, but also at those who continue to offer Him lavish sacrifices. While these offerings are commanded by God in the Law of Moses, which outlines specific types and methods of sacrifice, what truly matters is not merely the precise execution of these rituals, but the genuine intention behind them—sacrifices must come from a contrite and humble heart, filled with love for God and one’s neighbor. Otherwise, such offerings only provoke the Lord’s anger. As He questions, “Why do I need, saith He, your multitude of sacrifices?”—indicating that they mistakenly believe He requires them, thinking they are performing Him a service.