isaiah 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

isaiah 58:3 'Why have we fasted and Thou dost not see? [Why] have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?' Behold, on the day of your fast you find [your] desire, And drive hard all your workers.

3. Wherefore--the words of the Jews: "Why is it that, when we fast, Thou dost not notice it" (by delivering us)? They think to lay God under obligation to their fasting (Ps 73:13; Mal 3:14).
afflicted . . . soul-- (Le 16:29).
Behold--God's reply.
pleasure--in antithesis to their boast of having "afflicted their soul"; it was only in outward show they really enjoyed themselves. GESENIUS not so well translates, "business."
exact . . . labours--rather, "oppressive labors" [MAURER]. HORSLEY, with Vulgate, translates, "Exact the whole upon your debtors"; those who owe you labor (Ne 5:1-5, 8-10, &c.).

isaiah 58:3 'Why have we fasted and Thou dost not see? [Why] have we humbled ourselves and Thou dost not notice?' Behold, on the day of your fast you find [your] desire, And drive hard all your workers.

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