He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
He that killeth an ox (is as if) he slew a man. God loathes even the sacrifices of the wicked (Isaiah 1:11; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 28:9).
(Is as if). Lowth, not so well, omits these words, 'He that killeth an ox (presently after) murders a man' (as in Ezekiel 23:39). But the omission, in the Hebrew, of is as if increases the force of the comparison. Human victims were often offered by the pagan.
He that sacrificieth a lamb, (as if) he cut off a dog's neck - an abomination according to the Jewish law (Deuteronomy 23:18 ); perhaps made so because dogs were venerated in Egypt. He does not honour this abomination by using the word sacrifice, but uses the degrading term, "cut off a dog's neck" ( Exodus 13:13 ; Exodus 34:20). Dogs, as unclean, are associated with swine (Matthew 7:6 ; 2 Peter 2:22).
He that offereth an oblation, (as if he offered) swine's blood - unbloody (the minchaah (H4503)), in antithesis to "swine's blood" (Isaiah 65:4).
He that burneth incense (Hebrew, mazkkir, from zakar) - 'he who offereth as a memorial-oblation' ( Leviticus 2:2 ).
(As if) he blessed an idol ... they have chosen their own ways - opposed to the two first clauses of Isaiah 66:4, 'as they have chosen their own ways, etc., so I will choose their delusions.'