A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

ISAIAH 65:3KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 65:3 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 65:3 mean?

Isaiah 65:3 describes a group of people who constantly anger God by openly practicing rituals that go against His instructions, such as making sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on brick altars. These actions are presented as deliberate and ongoing provocations done directly before God.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Israel, calling out their persistent disobedience. The specific mention of sacrifices in gardens and incense on brick altars points to pagan worship practices that were common among Israel’s neighbors but forbidden in Israel’s law. The verse emphasizes how openly and repeatedly the people have chosen these practices, showing a clear rejection of God’s ways.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 65:3

  • "people" (עַם, ʿam): This word refers to a collective group, highlighting that the issue is widespread among the nation, not just a few individuals.
  • "anger" (כָּעַס, kaʿas): This word means to provoke or irritate, stressing that the people’s actions are not accidental but are seen as intentionally offensive to God.
  • "continually" (תָּמִיד, tamid): This term means something done without stopping, showing that these acts of disobedience are not rare lapses but a constant pattern.
  • "face" (פָּנִים, panim): The phrase "to my face" underlines the boldness of the people’s actions, as if they are defying God directly and publicly.

Why Isaiah 65:3 matters

  • Isaiah 65:3 clears up that the problem is not just occasional mistakes but a persistent, public rejection of God’s instructions, which helps explain the seriousness of God’s response in the chapter.
  • The verse highlights the specific practices—sacrificing in gardens and using brick altars—that were associated with idol worship, making it clear that the people were adopting foreign religious customs.
  • This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where God contrasts those who rebel against Him with those who seek Him, explaining the reasons for coming judgment and future hope.

Where else these words appear

“brick” Hebrew H3843 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
  • Exodus 5:19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

“gardens” Hebrew H1593 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
  • Isaiah 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
  • Jeremiah 29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

“anger” Hebrew H3707 · used in 53 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
  • 1 Kings 22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 74:23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.