Keraia
Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:8

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

Translations

Modern
Behind 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.
Traditional
Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.
Literal
And behind the door and the post you have set up your memorial; for away from me you uncovered yourself and went up; you widened your bed, and cut for yourself with them. You have loved their bed; you have gazed upon a hand!
Latin
Et post ostium, et retro postem, posuisti memoriale tuum. Quia juxta me discooperuisti, et suscepisti adulterum, dilatasti cubile tuum, et pepigisti cum eis fœdus; dilexisti stratum eorum manu aperta.

Original

Hebrew
English
Behind 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.

Notes

Isaiah 57:8

uncovered your bed: This phrase refers to sexual sin connected with idol worship. The people of Israel were deeply committed to fertility religions. These religions included sexual acts as part of their worship ceremonies.

This behavior showed how far they had turned away from the Lord.

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

Furniture Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature

Topics

Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Secret Places Idolatry: Rites of, Obscene and Impure Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning Legends (Inscriptions): Precepts Written on Door Posts and Gates, and Worn on the Hand and Forehead