The first four lines of this verse have a series of eight clauses arranged in pairs. In the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text each pair of clauses is alike in structure as follows: “he who” + verb + object “is he who” + verb + object. The two clauses within each pair are linked in meaning. The four pairs of clauses are concerned with sacrifices and offerings. Each pair makes a charge against those within Judah who joined in regular Israelite worship but also participated in Canaanite rituals.
RSV/NRSV, New International Version, and Revised English Bible link each pair of clauses as comparisons, suggesting that the person who makes an offering is like a person who does something quite terrible. They follow Dead Sea Scrolls by doing this. However, there is no reason to express the second half of each pair as a simile. The Hebrew text is saying that there are those who offer legitimate sacrifices, but who also commit Canaanite ritual acts that were forbidden to God’s people. The last two lines of this verse summarize the accusations in the first four lines, saying the people are simply doing whatever pleases them.
Good News Translation places part of the conclusion of this verse at the beginning as an introduction that explains the remainder: “The people do as they please. It’s all the same to them whether they … whether they….” In this way the four pairs of clauses illustrate the principle given at first. This rearrangement of the content of the verse is acceptable, because it retains the sense but makes it easier to see how the thoughts are connected. Good News Translation also uses plural forms for the subjects of these lines, instead of the masculine pronoun he (see the comments on the previous verse).
He who slaughters an ox is like him who kills a man means that the people who offer oxen to Yahweh also make human sacrifices to idols. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “But you slaughter cattle for me—and at the same time you bring human sacrifices,” and Bible en français courant has “Now, in order to offer a sacrifice, one slaughters an ox, but one kills equally well a human being.” Another possible model is “The person who sacrifices a bull also makes a human sacrifice.” It is possible that him who kills a man refers simply to murder (so Contemporary English Version), but this is less likely. For ox see the comments on 1.3.
He who sacrifices a lamb, like him who breaks a dog’s neck means that those who offer lambs to Yahweh also offer dogs to idols. Although there is no other Old Testament reference to breaking a dog’s neck, it is generally believed to refer to some aspect of Canaanite ritual sacrifice. A footnote may be required to explain this practice if a literal rendering is chosen. For these two lines Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “You slaughter sheep for me—and at the same time you offer dogs,” and Bible en français courant says “one slaughters a sheep, but one slays equally well a dog.” Neither of these renderings refers specifically to breaking a dog’s neck.
He who presents a cereal offering, like him who offers swine’s blood means that those who bring grain offerings to Yahweh also sacrifice pigs to idols. For cereal offering, see the comments on 57.6. Offers swine’s blood refers to pouring out as a sacrifice the lifeblood of a pig, an animal that was ritually unclean (compare this with the accusation of eating pork in 65.4). For these two lines Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “You bring me food offerings—and at the same time you pour out pig’s blood,” and Bible en français courant says “one presents an offering of flour, but equally well the blood of a pig.”
He who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like him who blesses an idol means that those who offer incense to Yahweh also make thanksgiving offerings to idols. A memorial offering is a sacrifice of grain mixed with incense. With this offering the worshiper remembers what God has done for him or her. It is one type of thanksgiving offering. For frankincense see the comments on 43.23. In this context the Hebrew verb rendered blesses can mean “pray” (Good News Translation), “worship” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “praise” (Contemporary English Version), “honor” (Bible en français courant), or “sacrifice” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). For these two lines Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “You burn incense for me—and at the same time you sacrifice to the gods,” and Bible en français courant says “one burns [the offering of flour] with incense, but one honors also false gods.”
These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations: These two lines summarize what God’s unfaithful people are doing. These have chosen their own ways means they are simply following whatever practice they want to follow without regard to what Yahweh demands (compare 65.12). This clause is emphatic in Hebrew (literally “Also they, they have chosen their own ways”), so it highlights that they have deliberately chosen to act in this way. Their soul delights in their abominations means they also find joy in doing the things that Yahweh considers abominable. Their soul refers to their whole being (see the comments on 1.14), so it may be rendered simply “they.” The Hebrew noun for abominations refers to ritually unclean things, including things that are offered to idols. Faithful Israelites should not have anything to do with these things. Good News Translation translates the last line as “They take pleasure in disgusting ways of worship.”
Translation examples for this verse are:
• The person who sacrifices an ox
is the same one who offers a human sacrifice.
The person who sacrifices a lamb
is the same one who breaks a dog’s neck.
The person who offers a grain offering
is the same one who offers a pig’s blood.
The person who burns incense as a memorial offering
is the same one who praises an idol.
These people act according to their own ways,
they delight in doing what I consider abominable.
• Those who sacrifice oxen
are the ones who also offer human sacrifices.
Those who sacrifice lambs
are the ones who also break dogs’ necks.
Those who make grain offerings
are the ones who also offer pigs’ blood;
Those who burn frankincense offerings
are the ones who also sing the praises of idols.
Such people have chosen to follow their own ways,
and they themselves are pleased with their abominable deeds.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .