Isaiah 57:7
Isaiah 57:7 in Multiple Translations
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
Upon a high and lofty mountain hast thou set thy bed; thither also wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
You have put your bed on a high mountain: there you went up to make your offering.
You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
Thou hast made thy bed vpon a very hie mountaine: thou wentest vp thither, euen thither wentest thou to offer sacrifice.
On a mountain, high and exalted, Thou hast set thy couch, Also thither thou hast gone up to make a sacrifice.
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed. You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither thou wentest up to offer sacrifice.
Upon a high and lofty mountain thou hast laid thy bed, and hast gone up thither to offer victims.
You have sex [EUP] with cult prostitutes on every hill and mountain, and you go there to offer sacrifices to your gods.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 57:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 57:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עַ֤ל
הַר
גָּבֹ֨הַּ֙
וְ/נִשָּׂ֔א
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
מִשְׁכָּבֵ֑/ךְ
גַּם
שָׁ֥ם
עָלִ֖ית
לִ/זְבֹּ֥חַ
זָֽבַח
עַ֤ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַר
har
H2022
mountain
N-ms
גָּבֹ֨הַּ֙
gâbôahh
H1364
high
Adj
וְ/נִשָּׂ֔א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Niphal
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
מִשְׁכָּבֵ֑/ךְ
mishkâb
H4904
bed
N-ms | Suff
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
שָׁ֥ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
עָלִ֖ית
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
לִ/זְבֹּ֥חַ
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
זָֽבַח
zebach
H2077
sacrifice
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 57:7
עַ֤ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַר
har
H2022
"mountain"
N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
גָּבֹ֨הַּ֙
gâbôahh
H1364
"high"
Adj
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Definition: adj 1) high, exalted 1a) high, tall 1b) high (in position) 1c) proud, haughty n m 2) loftiness Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, [idiom] exceeding proudly. See also: Genesis 7:19; Isaiah 5:15; Psalms 104:18.
וְ/נִשָּׂ֔א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Niphal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
מִשְׁכָּבֵ֑/ךְ
mishkâb
H4904
"bed"
N-ms | Suff
Mishkab refers to a bed, but can also mean sleep or even a bier. It's sometimes used to describe intimate relationships, as in Genesis. This word has various meanings depending on the context.
Definition: 1) a lying down, couch, bier, act of lying 1a) couch, bed 1b) act of lying, lying down or sleeping room, bedroom 1c) lying down (for sexual contact) Aramaic equivalent: mish.kav (מִשְׁכַּב "bed" H4903)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with. See also: Genesis 49:4; 2 Samuel 17:28; Psalms 4:5.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
שָׁ֥ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
עָלִ֖ית
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Perf-2fs
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
לִ/זְבֹּ֥חַ
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
זָֽבַח
zebach
H2077
"sacrifice"
N-ms
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.
Study Notes — Isaiah 57:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 57:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 57:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 57:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 57:7
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 57:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
- Sermons on Isaiah 57:7
Context — God Condemns Idolatry
5who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?
7On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
8Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. 9You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 16:16 | You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! |
| 2 | Ezekiel 23:41 | You sat on a couch of luxury with a table spread before it, on which you had set My incense and My oil, |
| 3 | Jeremiah 2:20 | “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 16:25 | At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 20:28–29 | When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah. ) |
| 6 | Jeremiah 3:6 | Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 3:2 | “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 23:17 | Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust. |
Isaiah 57:7 Summary
In Isaiah 57:7, God is speaking to the people of Israel, condemning their idolatrous practices and their failure to trust in Him alone. The 'high and lofty hill' represents a place of false worship, where they have set up their own shrines and offered sacrifices to gods that are not real, similar to the concept found in 2 Kings 13:6. This verse reminds us that our worship should be focused solely on the one true God, as stated in Exodus 20:3-5, and that we should not prioritize other things above our relationship with Him. By examining our own hearts and actions, we can identify areas where we may be setting up our own 'high and lofty hills' of idolatrous worship, and instead, cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God, as described in Psalm 42:1-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to make a bed on a high and lofty hill in Isaiah 57:7?
This phrase is a metaphor for idolatrous worship, where the people of Israel have set up their own places of worship, forsaking the one true God, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, where God commands the Israelites to destroy the high places of the idolatrous nations they are about to dispossess.
Is this verse talking about literal beds or is it symbolic?
The 'bed' in this verse is symbolic of a place of worship or a shrine, where the Israelites have gone to offer sacrifices to false gods, similar to the concept found in Hosea 4:13, where the Israelites are accused of offering sacrifices on the tops of mountains.
What kind of sacrifices are being offered in this verse?
The sacrifices being offered are likely to be those of the pagan rituals and idolatrous practices, such as those mentioned in Leviticus 18:21, where the Israelites are forbidden from sacrificing their children to Molech, and in Deuteronomy 12:31, where the abhorrent practices of the nations are described.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Isaiah 57?
This verse is part of a larger condemnation of the Israelites' idolatrous practices, as seen in Isaiah 57:3-13, where God denounces their sacrifices to false gods and their failure to trust in Him alone, as stated in Jeremiah 7:9-10, where the people's trust in the temple and their own rituals is contrasted with their disobedience to God's commands.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be setting up my own 'high and lofty hills' of idolatrous worship, prioritizing other things above my relationship with God?
- How can I ensure that my worship is focused solely on the one true God, and not on the idols of this world, as warned against in 1 John 5:21?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the 'sacrifices' I offer, making sure they are pleasing to God and not just going through the motions, as exhorted in Romans 12:1-2?
- What does it mean for me to 'make my bed' in a place of true worship, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God, as described in Psalm 63:1-8?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 57:7
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed,.... Temples and altars, which are usually built on high places, where they commit spiritual adultery; that is, idolatry, in imitation of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 57:7
Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed - image from adultery: open and shameless (Ezekiel 23:7).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
Upon a lofty and high mountain, in high places, which were much used for religious worship, both by Israelites and by heathens, hast thou set thy bed; thine altar, as appears from the sacrifice here following, in which thou didst commit spiritual whoredom with idols. Compare ,41.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
Isaiah 57:7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.Ver. 7. Upon a lofty and high mountain.] In all places hast thou poured out thy whoredoms, setting thy sin "upon the cliff of the rock," as it were sunning, so shameless art thou grown. Thy bed,] i.e., Thy temples and altars; as likewise do the mass mongers to this day.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
(7) Set thy bed . . .—Idolatry being as adultery, the “bed” follows naturally as representing the locality of the idol-worship. Comp. Ezekiel 16:31; Ezekiel 23:17.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 57:7
7. As in the valleys, so on the hill-tops, the people had sacrificed to strange gods. Cf. Hosea 4:13; Jeremiah 2:20; Ezekiel 6:13. hast thou set thy bed] The image is suggested by the frequent comparison of idolatry (in Israel) to adultery. Cf. Hosea 4:12; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:2; Ezekiel 16:25.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 57:7
Upon a lofty and high mountain - The design of this verse and the following, is, to show the extent, the prevalence, the publicity, and the grossness of their idolatry.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 57:7
7, 8. High mountain… thy bed — Places of idol and adulterous worship. Accounts of dells also, as such places are obscure. Groves in either place were doubtless sought. Behind the doors… posts — Namely, of houses.
Sermons on Isaiah 57:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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America's Greatest Need by Russ Sukhia | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the decline of American churches in recent decades, where the focus has shifted from meaty sermons and doctrinally sound hymns to short, simpl |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 6-10 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obeying the inner conscience that God has placed in each person. He questions the wisdom of those who claim to be wise but |