Isaiah 1:11 Meaning and Explanation
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God rejects Israel's sacrifices, declaring himself satiated with ritual offerings while the worshippers remain unrepentant.
The Context of Isaiah 1:11
God's rejection of ritual sacrifice offered without genuine repentance.
What Does Isaiah 1:11 Mean?
This verse introduces a central theme: God cares more for the hearts of his people than for the mechanics of worship. The language is striking—'I am full' suggests God is weary of and overstuffed with sacrifices. Rather than drawing God's favor, the endless stream of ritual offerings has become burdensome. The specificity (rams, bullocks, lambs, he goats) emphasizes the quantity and variety of what is being brought while the fundamental problem persists.
The root issue is not the sacrifices themselves but their lack of authenticity in the context of unrepented sin. God's explicit statement—'I delight not'—is a direct rejection. In ancient Israel, the temple sacrifices were central to religious life, so this rejection strikes at the heart of the worshippers' confidence in their religious standing. God is saying that ritual without righteousness is not only ineffective but offensive.
Isaiah 1:11 in the Original Language
qârbân (קָרְבָּן), 'sacrifices' or 'offerings' — gifts brought to God as expressions of worship, devotion, or atonement; the entire system is being questioned here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 1:11
What does Isaiah 1:11 mean?
God rejects Israel's sacrifices, declaring himself satiated with ritual offerings while the worshippers remain unrepentant.
What is the context of Isaiah 1:11?
God's rejection of ritual sacrifice offered without genuine repentance.