Keraia
Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:5

God Condemns Idolatry · Isaiah 57:3–13
Read Isaiah 57

Translations

Modern
…who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
Traditional
Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
Literal
…those warming themselves among the Oaks, under every green tree, slaughtering the sons in the valleys, under the clefts of the cliffs?
Latin
…qui consolamini in diis subter omne lignum frondosum, immolantes parvulos in torrentibus, subter eminentes petras?

Original

Hebrew
English
…who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Notes

Isaiah 57:5

  • among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree: People often used groups of trees as places to worship false gods. These tree groves were common sites for pagan worship (see Isaiah 1:29–30).

  • slaughter your children: Some people in Israel practiced the terrible act of child sacrifice. They offered their children to false gods. This happened at certain times in Israel’s history (see Psalm 106:37–38).

Isaiah 56:9–57:13

This passage reflects on how common evil had become among God’s people. Many of them were greedy and wanted more and more for themselves (Isaiah 56:9–12). They treated righteous people with hatred and violence (Isaiah 57:1–2). They also worshiped idols instead of the true God (Isaiah 57:3–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Glossary

Green Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature

Topics

Drink offering: Idolatrous Jews: Reproved for offering, to Idols Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: Under Trees Idolatry: They Who Practise: Inflame Themselves Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Human Sacrifices Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning Molech: Children Sacrificed To Offerings: Human Sacrifices: Israelites Rocks used as Places for Idolatrous Worship Scorning and Mocking: Idolaters Addicted To The Jews: National Character of Prone to Idolatry The Oak-Tree: The Ancients often: Performed Idolatrous Rites Under Valleys: Abounded With: Rocks and Caves Valleys: Often the Scenes of Idolatrous Rites