Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

ISAIAH 58:2KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 58:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 58:2 mean?

Isaiah 58:2 describes people who appear eager to seek God and learn His ways, acting as if they are a righteous nation that never turned away from God's commands. They ask God for just decisions and seem to enjoy drawing near to Him, but their devotion is only outward.

In this verse, God (speaking through Isaiah) addresses the people of Israel, pointing out their religious enthusiasm that lacks true sincerity. The setting is a time when the people are practicing rituals and seeking God's guidance, but their hearts are not genuinely committed. The verse highlights the difference between outward religious actions and real faithfulness to God's instructions.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 58:2

  • "Seek" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) means to search out or inquire. Here, it shows the people's active effort to pursue God, but the context suggests their seeking is superficial.
  • "Delight" (חָפֵץ, chafetz) means to take pleasure in. The verse uses this word twice, emphasizing that the people seem to enjoy religious activities, but their pleasure does not reflect true devotion.
  • "Ordinance" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) refers to a legal judgment or command. The people ask God for these, showing they want guidance, but the verse questions whether they truly intend to follow it.
  • "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah) means justice or right conduct. The people act as if they have always done what is right, but the verse hints that this is not the case.

Why Isaiah 58:2 matters

  • Isaiah 58:2 helps clear up the misunderstanding that outward religious practices automatically mean someone is faithful or pleasing to God.
  • The verse emphasizes that God sees beyond rituals and looks for genuine commitment and obedience.
  • This verse sets up the rest of Isaiah 58, where God explains what true devotion looks like, contrasting empty ritual with real justice and compassion.

Where else these words appear

“approaching” Hebrew H7132 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

“delight” Hebrew H2654 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 34:19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.
  • Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
  • Ecclesiastes 8:3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

“know” Hebrew H1847 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
  • Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

“justice” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.