Bible Strands
Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — YHWH, through Isaiah, corrects Israel's fasting ritual by specifying what the fast actually requires: material provision for the hungry, homeless, and naked.
The words — פָרֹס (paros, "to break") is the same verb used in verse 6 for shattering chains of wickedness; here it governs bread, linking the act of breaking bread to the act of breaking oppression.
The thread — The demand to give bread to the hungry recurs in Ezekiel 18:7 and is echoed in Jesus' words at Matthew 25:35 and John the Baptist's instruction at Luke 3:11.
Why it lands — It names four concrete actions (share bread, take in the homeless, clothe the naked, do not ignore kin) and refuses to let worship remain abstract.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
- Ezekiel 18:7 He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.
- Luke 3:11 John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
- Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
- 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- Isaiah 58:10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.
- Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
- Ezekiel 18:16 He does not oppress another, or retain a pledge, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.