Isaiah 58:4 - Exposition

Ye fast for strife and debate . Delitzsch explains, "When fasting, they are doubly irritable and ill tempered; and this leads to quarrelling and strife, even to striking with angry fists." This is quite a possible explanation. Or there may have been two parties, one for, the other against, fasting; and those who practised fasting may have done it, as some preached Christ, "of envy and strife" ( Philippians 1:15 )—to provoke the opposite side. Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high ; i.e. "ye must not fast as ye do at present, if ye would have your voices heard in heaven." God will not hear the prayer of which such a fast is the accompaniment.