But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

ISAIAH 65:11KJV
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Isaiah 65:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 65:11 mean?

Isaiah 65:11 describes people who have turned away from the LORD, forgotten His sacred place, and instead set out food and drink offerings for foreign gods or forces. The verse highlights a sharp contrast between loyalty to the LORD and participation in pagan rituals.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to people in Israel who have abandoned their devotion to Him. The "holy mountain" refers to God's chosen place of worship, likely Jerusalem. The "table for that troop" and "drink offering unto that number" point to specific pagan practices, where people prepared meals and poured out drinks for deities associated with fate or fortune, showing their divided allegiance.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 65:11

  • "Forsake" (עָזַב, azav) means to abandon or leave behind. The verse singles out those who have deliberately chosen to walk away from the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH), not just those who drifted by accident.
  • "Troop" (גַּד, gad) is often understood as the name of a pagan god associated with fortune or luck. The word here is not just a general group but a specific foreign deity, making the accusation more pointed.
  • "Number" (מְנִי, meni) is likely another foreign god, linked to destiny or fate. The people are shown as making offerings to these forces instead of trusting the LORD.
  • "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) and "mountain" (הַר, har) together emphasize the sacredness of the place the people have neglected, underlining the seriousness of their forgetfulness.

Why Isaiah 65:11 matters

  • Isaiah 65:11 clarifies that the problem is not just forgetting God in general, but actively replacing Him with other objects of devotion, especially foreign gods tied to luck and fate.
  • The verse reveals the deep offense of abandoning God's "holy mountain," showing that turning away from God's chosen place and way of worship is a serious breach.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by explaining why judgment is coming: it is not just about ritual failure, but about a heart-level rejection of God in favor of other powers.