Isaiah 66:3
New International Version
But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;

New Living Translation
But those who choose their own ways— delighting in their detestable sins— will not have their offerings accepted. When such people sacrifice a bull, it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice. When they sacrifice a lamb, it’s as though they had sacrificed a dog! When they bring an offering of grain, they might as well offer the blood of a pig. When they burn frankincense, it’s as if they had blessed an idol.

English Standard Version
“He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig’s blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.

King James Bible
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

New King James Version
“He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood; He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations,

New American Standard Bible
But the one who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a person; The one who sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; One who offers a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; One who burns incense is like one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, And their souls delight in their abominations,

NASB 1995
“But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine’s blood; He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations,

NASB 1977
But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine’s blood; He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations,

Legacy Standard Bible
But he who slaughters an ox is the one who strikes down a man; He who sacrifices a lamb is the one who breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering is the one who offers swine’s blood; He who offers a memorial offering of frankincense is the one who blesses wickedness. As they have chosen their own ways, And their soul takes pleasure in their detestable things,

Amplified Bible
“He who kills an ox [for pagan sacrifice] is [as guilty] as one who kills a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as one who breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering, as one who offers swine’s blood; He who offers incense, as one who blesses an idol. Such people have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their repulsive acts;

Christian Standard Bible
One person slaughters an ox, another kills a person; one person sacrifices a lamb, another breaks a dog’s neck; one person offers a grain offering, another offers pig’s blood; one person offers incense, another praises an idol — all these have chosen their ways and delight in their abhorrent practices.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One slaughters an ox, one kills a man; one sacrifices a lamb, one breaks a dog’s neck; one offers a grain offering, one offers pig’s blood; one offers incense, one praises an idol— all these have chosen their ways and delight in their detestable practices.

American Standard Version
He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine's blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He who slaughters a bull is as if he were one killing a man; he who sacrifices a lamb as if he were one killing a dog; he who offers a meal offering as if the blood of pigs; he who offers frankincense as if he were he who blesses idols. Also, they are nurtured in their ways, and their soul delighted in their idols

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the transgressor that sacrifices a calf to me, is as he that kills a dog; and he that offers fine flour, as one that offers swine's blood; he that gives frankincense for a memorial, is as a blasphemer. Yet they have chosen their own ways, and their soul has delighted in their abominations.

Contemporary English Version
You sacrifice oxen to me, and you commit murder; you sacrifice lambs to me and dogs to other gods; you offer grain to me and pigs' blood to idols; you burn incense to me and praise your idols. You have made your own choice to do these disgusting things that you enjoy so much.

Douay-Rheims Bible
He that sacrificeth an ox, is as if he slew a man: he that killeth a sheep in sacrifice, as if he should brain a dog: he that offereth an oblation, as if he should offer swine's blood; he that remembereth incense, as if he should bless an idol. All these things have they chosen in their ways, and their soul is delighted in their abominations.

English Revised Version
He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine's blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol: yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog's neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who [offers] pig's blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in detestable things.

Good News Translation
"The people do as they please. It's all the same to them whether they kill a bull as a sacrifice or sacrifice a human being; whether they sacrifice a lamb or break a dog's neck; whether they present a grain offering or offer pigs' blood; whether they offer incense or pray to an idol. They take pleasure in disgusting ways of worship.

International Standard Version
"Whoever slaughters an ox is just like one who kills a human being; whoever sacrifices a lamb is just like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is just like one who offers pig's blood; and whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense is just like one who blesses an idol. Yes, these have chosen their own ways, and they take delight in their contaminated actions.

JPS Tanakh 1917
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; He that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he broke a dog's neck; He that offereth a meal-offering, as if he offered swine's blood; He that maketh a memorial-offering of frankincense, as if he blessed an idol; According as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delighteth in their abominations;

Literal Standard Version
Whoever slaughters the ox strikes a man, | Whoever sacrifices the lamb beheads a dog, | Whoever is bringing up a present—The blood of a sow, | Whoever is making mention of frankincense, | Is blessing iniquity. Indeed, they have fixed on their own ways, | And their soul has delighted in their abominations.

Majority Standard Bible
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.

New American Bible
The one slaughtering an ox, striking a man, sacrificing a lamb, breaking a dog’s neck, Making an offering of pig’s blood, burning incense, honoring an idol— These have chosen their own ways, and taken pleasure in their own abominations.

NET Bible
The one who slaughters a bull also strikes down a man; the one who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog's neck; the one who presents an offering includes pig's blood with it; the one who offers incense also praises an idol. They have decided to behave this way; they enjoy these disgusting practices.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human being; whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering, like one who offers swine’s blood; whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and in their abominations they take delight;

New Heart English Bible
He who slaughters an ox is like one who strikes down a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog's neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig's blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations:

Webster's Bible Translation
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

World English Bible
He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso slaughtereth the ox smiteth a man, Whoso sacrificeth the lamb beheadeth a dog, Whoso is bringing up a present -- The blood of a sow, Whoso is making mention of frankincense, Is blessing iniquity. Yea, they have fixed on their own ways, And in their abominations their soul hath delighted.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Heaven is My Throne
2Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. 3Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. 4So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”…

Cross References
Leviticus 2:2
and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable--how much more so when brought with ill intent!

Isaiah 1:13
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me--your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

Isaiah 44:19
And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, "I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"

Isaiah 57:17
I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.

Isaiah 65:2
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

Isaiah 65:3
to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,


Treasury of Scripture

He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offers an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.

killeth

Isaiah 1:11-15
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…

Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

lamb, or kid cut

Deuteronomy 23:18
Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

as is he offered

Isaiah 66:17
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 65:3,4
A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; …

Deuteronomy 14:8
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.

burneth.

Leviticus 2:2
And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:

they have

Isaiah 65:12
Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

Judges 5:8
They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

Judges 10:14
Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

Jump to Previous
Abominations Blessed Blesses Blood Breaks Broke Burneth Burns Chosen Cut Delighteth Delights Dog's Frankincense Idol Incense Killeth Kills Lamb Neck Oblation Offered Offereth Offering Offers Ox Pig's Sacrifices Sacrificeth Slew Soul Swine's Ways
Jump to Next
Abominations Blessed Blesses Blood Breaks Broke Burneth Burns Chosen Cut Delighteth Delights Dog's Frankincense Idol Incense Killeth Kills Lamb Neck Oblation Offered Offereth Offering Offers Ox Pig's Sacrifices Sacrificeth Slew Soul Swine's Ways
Isaiah 66
1. The glorious God will be served in humble sincerity
5. He comforts the humble by showing the confusion of their enemies
7. With the marvelous growth
10. And the gracious benefits of the church
15. God's severe judgments against the wicked
18. The Gentiles shall have an holy church
24. And see the damnation of the wicked














(3) He that killeth an ox . . .--The truth of the previous verse is emphasised by iteration, each clause presenting a distinct illustration of it. Chapter Isaiah 65:3-11 had pointed to tendencies, not yet extinct, which led to open apostasy. Now the prophet declares that there may be as real an apostasy beneath an orthodox creed and an irreproachable ritual. Each act of the hypocrite's worship is as an idolatrous abomination.

Verse 3. - He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; literally, is a manslayer. The full meaning seems to be, "He that, not being of a poor and contrite spirit, would offer me an ox in sacrifice, is as little pleasing to me as a murderer." Sacrifice, without the true spirit of sacrifice, is an abomination (comp. Isaiah 1:11, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," etc.). There, however, the sacrifices are actually offered; here they are hypothetical. The ungodly exiles design to offer sacrifice to God in his temple, when they have rebuilt it (ver. 1). God rejects their offerings by anticipation. As if he out off a dog's neck; i.e." would no more please me by the sacrifice than if he were to make an offering of the unclean dog." (On the uncleanness of the dog, see Deuteronomy 23:18.) He that offereth an oblation; or, a meat offering (see Leviticus 2:1-15). He that burneth incense. With his meat offering, as directed in Leviticus 2:1, 2. Such a one is no better than he that blesseth (i.e. worships) an idol. It may be suspected that the ritual acts selected for comparison with those of the Levitical law are practices to which the exiles were given (comp. Isaiah 65:3, 4). Yea, they have chosen, etc.; rather, as they haw chosen. The clause stands over against the first clause of ver. 4, "As they (gain hemmah) have chosen their ways, so I (gain ani) have chosen their delusions."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whoever slaughters
שׁוֹחֵ֨ט (šō·w·ḥêṭ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

an ox
הַשּׁ֜וֹר (haš·šō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

is [like] one who slays
מַכֵּה־ (mak·kêh-)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5221: To strike

a man;
אִ֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

whoever sacrifices
זוֹבֵ֤חַ (zō·w·ḇê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

a lamb
הַשֶּׂה֙ (haś·śeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

[is like] one who breaks a dog’s
כֶּ֔לֶב (ke·leḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute

neck;
עֹ֣רֵֽף (‘ō·rêp̄)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6202: To break the neck, to destroy

whoever presents
מַעֲלֵ֤ה (ma·‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

a grain offering
מִנְחָה֙ (min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

[is like] one who offers
מַזְכִּ֥יר (maz·kîr)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

pig’s
חֲזִ֔יר (ḥă·zîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2386: Swine, boar

blood;
דַּם־ (dam-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

whoever offers incense
לְבֹנָ֖ה (lə·ḇō·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3828: Frankincense

[is like] one who praises
מְבָ֣רֵֽךְ (mə·ḇā·rêḵ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

an idol.
אָ֑וֶן (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol

Indeed,
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

they
הֵ֗מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

have chosen
בָּֽחֲרוּ֙ (bā·ḥă·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 977: To try, select

their own ways
בְּדַרְכֵיהֶ֔ם (bə·ḏar·ḵê·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and delighted
חָפֵֽצָה׃ (ḥā·p̄ê·ṣāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

in their abominations.
וּבְשִׁקּוּצֵיהֶ֖ם (ū·ḇə·šiq·qū·ṣê·hem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8251: Disgusting, filthy, idolatrous, an idol


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 66:3 He who kills an ox is as (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 66:2
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