Isaiah 1:12

12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

Isaiah 1:12 in Other Translations

12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

12 "When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?

12 When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?

12 When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that - all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?

12 When you come to appear before Me, who requires this from you- [this] trampling of My courts?

Isaiah 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:12

When ye come to appear before me
At the grand festivals of the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, at which times all the males in Israel appeared before God, ( Exodus 23:17 ) who hath required this at your hand;
either to appear at such times, these feasts being no more to be observed; or to offer the above sacrifices; these were not required of the Israelites when they first came out of Egypt, ( Jeremiah 7:22 ) nor were they necessary to appear before God with, or to introduce them to the throne of his grace, ( Micah 6:6 Micah 6:7 ) and much less under the Gospel dispensation, being abolished by the sacrifice of Christ; or this relates to what follows, to tread my courts?
in that unbecoming and hypocritical way they did, and with such wicked hearts and bloody hands. "Courts" are mentioned, because, as Kimchi observes, the Israelites stood in the courts of the Lord's house, and did not go into the temple, only the priests.

Isaiah 1:12 In-Context

10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 31:11