Isaiah 65:2
New International Version
All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—

New Living Translation
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.

English Standard Version
I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;

Berean Standard Bible
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

King James Bible
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

New King James Version
I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts;

New American Standard Bible
“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

NASB 1995
“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

NASB 1977
“I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

Legacy Standard Bible
I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,

Amplified Bible
“I have spread out My hands all the day long to a rebellious and stubborn people, Who walk in the way that is not good, [following] after their own thoughts and intentions,

Christian Standard Bible
I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the path that is not good, following their own thoughts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the wrong path, following their own thoughts.

American Standard Version
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, that walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

Contemporary English Version
All day long I have reached out to stubborn and sinful people going their own way.

English Revised Version
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I stretched out my hands all day long to stubborn people. They chose to go the wrong direction. They followed their own plans.

Good News Translation
I have always been ready to welcome my people, who stubbornly do what is wrong and go their own way.

International Standard Version
I held out my hands all day long to a disobedient people, who walk in a way that isn't good, following their own inclinations—

Majority Standard Bible
All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,

NET Bible
I spread out my hands all day long to my rebellious people, who lived in a way that is morally unacceptable, and who did what they desired.

New Heart English Bible
All day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own thoughts;

Webster's Bible Translation
I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;

World English Bible
I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have spread out My hands all the day "" To an apostate people, "" Who are going in the way [that is] not good, "" After their own thoughts.

Young's Literal Translation
I have spread out My hands all the day Unto an apostate people, Who are going in the way not good after their own thoughts.

Smith's Literal Translation
I spread forth my hands all the day to a perverse people, going the way not good, after their purposes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have spread forth my hands all the day to an unbelieving people, who walk in a way that is not good after their own thoughts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have extended my hands all day long to an unbelieving people, who advance along a way that is not good, following their own thoughts,

New American Bible
I have stretched out my hands all day to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, following their own designs;

New Revised Standard Version
I held out my hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have stretched my hands all day to a people that is disobedient, who walk after their counsels in a way that is not beautiful
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have spread out My hands all the day Unto a rebellious people, That walk in a way that is not good, After their own thoughts;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have stretched forth my hands all day to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to them that walked in a way that was not good, but after their sins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgments and Promises
1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ 2All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, 3to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,…

Cross References
Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Proverbs 1:24-25
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,

Jeremiah 7:13
And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Ezekiel 2:3-5
“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Hosea 11:2
But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

Jeremiah 35:15
Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.

Psalm 81:11-12
But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. / So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Jeremiah 25:4-7
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. / Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ ...

Matthew 22:3
He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Isaiah 30:9-11
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”


Treasury of Scripture

I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walks in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

spread

Proverbs 1:24
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

a rebellious

Isaiah 1:2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

which

Isaiah 59:7,8
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths…

Psalm 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Proverbs 16:29
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

after

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Numbers 15:39
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Jump to Previous
Apostate Devices Evil Following Good Hands Hearts Held Imaginations Obstinate Purposes Pursuing Rebellious Spread Stretched Thoughts Uncontrolled Walk Walketh Way Ways
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Apostate Devices Evil Following Good Hands Hearts Held Imaginations Obstinate Purposes Pursuing Rebellious Spread Stretched Thoughts Uncontrolled Walk Walketh Way Ways
Isaiah 65
1. The calling of the Gentiles,
2. and the rejection of the Jews, for their incredulity, idolatry, and hypocrisy
8. A remnant shall be saved
11. Judgments on the wicked, and blessings on the godly
17. The blessed state of the new Jerusalem














All day long
This phrase emphasizes God's persistent and continuous effort to reach out to His people. The Hebrew root here suggests an unending, patient endurance. Historically, this reflects God's long-suffering nature, as seen throughout the Old Testament, where He repeatedly calls Israel back to Himself despite their frequent rebellion. It is a reminder of God's grace and mercy, always available and extended to humanity.

I have held out My hands
The imagery of God holding out His hands is deeply evocative, symbolizing an invitation to relationship and reconciliation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, open hands were a gesture of welcome and peace. This phrase underscores God's desire for His people to return to Him, highlighting His readiness to forgive and restore. It is a powerful image of divine love and openness.

to an obstinate people
The term "obstinate" refers to a stubbornness or unwillingness to change. The Hebrew word used here conveys a sense of being stiff-necked, a common biblical metaphor for rebellion against God. This reflects the historical context of Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry, despite the prophets' warnings. It serves as a cautionary tale for believers today to remain humble and responsive to God's guidance.

who walk in the wrong path
Walking in the "wrong path" signifies a deliberate choice to pursue a life contrary to God's will. The Hebrew concept of "walking" often denotes one's way of life or conduct. This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual deviation of the people, choosing paths that lead away from God's truth. It is a call for self-examination and a return to the righteous path laid out by God.

who follow their own imaginations
This phrase points to the human tendency to prioritize personal desires and thoughts over divine wisdom. The Hebrew word for "imaginations" can also mean "plans" or "purposes," indicating a self-directed life. Historically, this reflects Israel's inclination to create idols and follow false gods, driven by their own understanding. It serves as a warning against the dangers of self-reliance and the importance of aligning one's life with God's will.

(2) I have spread out my hands . . .--Here, of course, the words were meant for Israel, as St. Paul applies them. It may not be without interest to note the fact that the words stand over the portal of the Church of Santa Maria, which stands at the entrance of the Ghetto at Rome. Of how many churches at Rome and elsewhere might it not be said, "Thou art the man," "The beam is in thine own eye"?

Verse 2. - I have spread out my hands. Not exactly in prayer, but in expostulation (comp. Proverbs 1:24, "I have stretched out my hand," where the verb in the Hebrew is the same). All the day; or, all day long, as in Romans 10:21; i.e. continually, day after day, for years - nay, for centuries. A rebellions people (comp. Isaiah 30:1; and see also Isaiah 1:4, 23; Hosea 4:16; Jeremiah 5:23; Jeremiah 6:28). The "rebellions people" ('am sorer)is undoubtedly Israel. In a way that was not good; rather, in the way that is not good; i.e. the "way of sinners" (Psalm 1:1) - the "way that leadeth to destruction" (Matthew 7:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All day long
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

I have held out
פֵּרַ֧שְׂתִּי (pê·raś·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

My hands
יָדַ֛י (yā·ḏay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

an obstinate
סוֹרֵ֑ר (sō·w·rêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5637: To turn away, be refractory

people,
עַ֣ם (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who walk
הַהֹלְכִים֙ (ha·hō·lə·ḵîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in the wrong
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

path,
הַדֶּ֣רֶךְ (had·de·reḵ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

who follow
אַחַ֖ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

their own imaginations,
מַחְשְׁבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (maḥ·šə·ḇō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 65:1
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