Isaiah 58:7
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?
Study Note
Study Note
'Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?' — Isaiah 58's critique of fasting without justice defines the 'fast that God chooses' (verse 6) as active solidarity with the poor, homeless, naked, and oppressed. The phrase 'your own flesh' (mivsareka) at the verse's end identifies the poor as kin — an appeal to kinship obligation rather than charitable generosity, demanding a recognition of shared humanity. The verse belongs to the most comprehensive Old Testament statement of the relationship between ritual and ethics: fasting is empty if accompanied by exploitation (verse 3–4), but the 'fast' of liberation and solidarity releases YHWH's light, healing, and guidance (verses 8–9). Matthew 25:35–36 echoes this enumeration ('I was hungry... thirsty... naked... a stranger') and attributes to Christ the identity of the one encountered in the suffering person.
Other Translations
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?
Is it not to deal to the hungry thy bread, And the mourning poor bring home, That thou seest the naked and cover him, And from thine own flesh hide not thyself?
Is it not to give your bread to those in need, and to let the poor who have no resting-place come into your house? to put a robe on the unclothed one when you see him, and not to keep your eyes shut for fear of seeing his flesh?
Cross References
So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did …
And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not …
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that …
And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all …
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from …
Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.