Isaiah 57 7

Isaiah 57:7 kjv

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

Isaiah 57:7 nkjv

"On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; Even there you went up To offer sacrifice.

Isaiah 57:7 niv

You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices.

Isaiah 57:7 esv

On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice.

Isaiah 57:7 nlt

You have committed adultery on every high mountain.
There you have worshiped idols
and have been unfaithful to me.

Isaiah 57 verses

Isaiah 57 7 meaning

Isaiah 57:7 describes unfaithful Judah (or Israel) setting up their place of idolatrous worship, explicitly likened to a prostitute setting her bed, on high and lofty mountains. This act signifies their egregious spiritual adultery and defection from the One True God, where they ascended to these elevated sites to offer sacrifices to false deities, mimicking pagan practices of the surrounding nations. The imagery is designed to convey the profound depth of their betrayal and the sexually promiscuous nature associated with such idol worship.

Isaiah 57 7 Context

Isaiah 57 stands within a section of Isaiah that largely contrasts the righteous and the wicked, delivering both rebuke and comfort. Verses 3-13 particularly condemn the idolatrous and corrupt practices of the people of Judah, labeling them as "children of a sorceress," "offspring of adulterers and prostitutes" (v.3). The prophet denounces their spiritual promiscuity, child sacrifice (v.5), and engagement in various forms of pagan worship under every green tree and by the stream beds. Isaiah 57:7 is a vivid metaphorical extension of this condemnation, picturing Israel as a harlot who not only commits spiritual adultery but does so flagrantly on "high and lofty mountains," the very locations historically favored for pagan altars and illicit rituals. This underscores the brazen and deliberate nature of their unfaithfulness to God, who had forbidden such practices and commanded worship solely in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 57 7 Word analysis

• Upon (עַל - ‘al): A preposition indicating location, often "on," "over," or "above." Here it denotes the placement of the "bed" on the mountain.
• high (גָּבֹ֣הַ - gā·ḇō·ha‘): Adjective meaning elevated, lofty, exalted. It emphasizes the great height and prominence of the mountain.
• and lofty mountain (הַר-רָ֣ם - har rām): This phrase emphasizes the elevation even further. Har (הר) means mountain, and ram (רם) is another adjective for high, lofty. The doubling stresses the imposing height, signifying locations typically used for pagan altars perceived as closer to the gods. Such places were antithetical to God's command for worship in a single, divinely appointed location.
• you have set your bed (שַׂמְתְּ מִשְׁכָּבֵ֑ךְ - śamt mishkā·ḇēḵ):
  • set (שַׂמְתְּ - śamt): Second person feminine singular perfect of sîm, meaning to put, place, set, or appoint. It indicates a deliberate and active choice.
  • your bed (מִשְׁכָּבֵ֑ךְ - mishkā·ḇēḵ): Mishkav (מִשְׁכָּב) literally means "couch" or "bed." However, in biblical idiom, especially in contexts of idolatry and unfaithfulness, "bed" frequently carries strong connotations of sexual immorality and prostitution. Here, it is a striking metaphor for Judah's spiritual adultery; the act of building an altar to false gods is likened to a prostitute preparing her "bed" for illicit encounters, symbolizing a covenant-breaking act.
• there (שָׁ֖ם - šām): Adverb indicating that specific high and lofty mountain.
• you went up (עָלִ֣ית - ‘ā·lîṯ): Second person feminine singular perfect of ‘ālāh, meaning to go up, ascend. It portrays a deliberate journey and pilgrimage to these idolatrous sites, highlighting active participation and enthusiasm for their sinful worship.
• to offer sacrifice (לְהַעֲל֣וֹת זֶֽבַח - ləha‘ă·lō·wt zeḇaḥ):
  • to offer (לְהַעֲל֣וֹת - ləha‘ă·lō·wt): The infinitive construct of ‘ālāh (in the Hiphil causative stem), meaning "to cause to go up," "to offer up" as in a sacrifice. This signifies the active ritual of making offerings.
  • sacrifice (זֶֽבַח - zeḇaḥ): A common Hebrew term for an animal sacrifice, typically an offering to a deity. In this context, it explicitly links the "bed" of spiritual harlotry with the forbidden rituals of pagan worship, showing that the physical act of sacrifice to false gods was deeply integrated with their spiritual infidelity and associated illicit behaviors.
• high and lofty mountain: The imagery evokes pagan shrines and fertility cults, which often conducted their rituals on elevated locations to be closer to perceived deities. This was in direct opposition to God’s command for a centralized, pure worship.
• set your bed; there you went up: This sequence emphasizes the intention and deliberate action. The harlot is not forced, but willingly "sets her bed" and "goes up," indicating a conscious choice to engage in spiritual infidelity and participate enthusiastically in prohibited practices. The combination of "bed" and "went up" signifies a progression towards a deep level of sinful engagement.
• your bed to offer sacrifice: This pairing is critically potent. The "bed" represents sexual promiscuity and spiritual harlotry (unfaithfulness to God), directly linked to "offering sacrifice" which details the cultic acts themselves. It condemns the total package: both the implicit sexualized idolatry (often part of fertility cults like Baal and Asherah worship) and the explicit religious acts of devotion to false gods.

Isaiah 57 7 Bonus section

The concept of "high places" for worship has a complex biblical history. While sometimes used positively for legitimate worship before the tabernacle or temple (e.g., Abraham at various altars), their later association overwhelmingly turned negative, especially from the time of the divided kingdom. Kings were often judged by whether they removed the high places or allowed them to persist. This illustrates the danger of adopting cultural forms of worship that, though initially benign, become easily corrupted and lead to syncretism, ultimately deviating from pure monotheistic worship and provoking God's wrath. Isaiah 57:7 specifically references a widespread problem, indicating a systemic failure among the people to adhere to God's unique identity and commands for exclusive worship.

Isaiah 57 7 Commentary

Isaiah 57:7 powerfully condemns Judah's pervasive idolatry using a vivid, shocking metaphor: the nation is portrayed as a harlot who purposefully "sets her bed"—a symbol of sexual promiscuity and illicit relations—on "high and lofty mountains." These elevated locations were common sites for pagan worship, associated with Canaanite fertility cults and their detestable rites, which often included cultic prostitution and child sacrifice. By deliberately ascending to these places "to offer sacrifice," the people are not only engaging in forbidden worship but are doing so with an enthusiasm and flagrancy comparable to a prostitute openly soliciting customers. The verse highlights their spiritual infidelity to Yahweh, breaking the covenantal marriage bond. It's a testament to the depths of their betrayal, prioritizing physical and spiritual gratification through false gods over their covenant with the living God, mirroring the seductive yet ultimately empty promises of idols that lead to destruction rather than true sustenance and peace.