Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

ISAIAH 58:7KJV
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Isaiah 58:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 58:7 mean?

Isaiah 58:7 calls for sharing food with the hungry, providing shelter for the poor who are homeless, clothing those who are without, and not ignoring the needs of one’s own family or community. The verse highlights practical acts of compassion as central to true faithfulness.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel on behalf of God, challenging them to move beyond empty religious rituals and instead practice genuine care for others. The setting is a call to social justice and mercy, showing that God values kindness and meeting real human needs over outward displays of religion.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 58:7

  • "deal" (פָּרַס, pāras) means to break or divide, often understood as breaking bread to share with others. This word emphasizes the active, personal act of providing for someone else’s hunger.
  • "poor" (עָנִי, ‘ani) refers to someone who is afflicted or oppressed, not just financially poor but also vulnerable or marginalized. This broadens the call to help anyone in distress, not only those lacking money.
  • "hide" (עָלַם, ‘alam) means to conceal or cover, here warning against turning away or ignoring the needs of one’s own "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar), which often refers to family or kin but can also mean fellow human beings. The verse stresses not distancing oneself from the suffering of those close to you.

Why Isaiah 58:7 matters

  • Isaiah 58:7 clarifies that God’s idea of righteousness is deeply practical and relational, not just about religious observance or ritual fasting.
  • The verse connects personal responsibility to community well-being, showing that faith involves caring for both strangers and those within one’s own circle.
  • This verse stands at the heart of Isaiah 58’s message, which contrasts empty ritual with the kind of living that pleases God—acts of justice, mercy, and solidarity with the vulnerable.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H4788 · used in 3 verses

  • Lamentations 1:7 Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.
  • Lamentations 3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

“deal” Hebrew H6536 · used in 12 verses

  • Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  • Deuteronomy 14:7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

“naked” Hebrew H6174 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
  • Job 24:7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.
  • Isaiah 20:3 And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

“hungry” Hebrew H7457 · used in 22 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Psalms 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
  • Isaiah 9:20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: