Isaiah 58:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God defines the fast He has chosen: the breaking of bondage and the liberation of those held captive by injustice.
The Context of Isaiah 58:6
Isaiah announces God's true definition of acceptable religious practice, grounding it in the liberation and protection of the oppressed.
What Does Isaiah 58:6 Mean?
Now God pivots from rejection to revelation. This is what I choose, He announces. Not the bowed head but the unbowed will turned toward justice. The 'fast' God wants is the loosening of shackles, the undoing of burdens so heavy they bend the back, the freeing of the oppressed. Each phrase is concrete: bands of wickedness, heavy burdens, every yoke. These are the chains of economic exploitation, of unjust systems, of the powerful crushing the weak. To fast as God intends is to dismantle these things, to use whatever power we have to break them.
This redefinition is revolutionary. It shifts the meaning of piety from what we do to ourselves to what we do for others. A true fast is not about self-mortification but about justice. When we release someone from debt, when we defend the vulnerable, when we break the systems that trap people in poverty and shame, we are engaging in the worship God has always sought.
Isaiah 58:6 in the Original Language
matteqom (Hebrew), 'burdens' -- literally 'heavy things,' often referring to unjust loads or excessive demands placed upon others.
How to Apply Isaiah 58:6 Today
Our faith is tested not by private disciplines but by what we do to release others from oppression. Where do we see systems or individuals being crushed, and what role do we play in loosening those bonds?
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 58:6
What does Isaiah 58:6 mean?
God defines the fast He has chosen: the breaking of bondage and the liberation of those held captive by injustice.
What is the context of Isaiah 58:6?
Isaiah announces God's true definition of acceptable religious practice, grounding it in the liberation and protection of the oppressed.
How can I apply Isaiah 58:6 today?
Our faith is tested not by private disciplines but by what we do to release others from oppression. Where do we see systems or individuals being crushed, and what role do we play in loosening those bonds?