Isaiah 57:5
you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse paints a vivid picture of intense, even orgiastic, devotion to idols, linking "burning with lust" directly to their idolatrous practices. This isn't just about misplaced affection; it's about a passionate, almost adulterous fervor for false gods that drove them to commit the horrific act of child sacrifice in hidden, desolate places.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, accusing them of turning away from God to engage in idolatrous practices. These practices are depicted as deeply corrupt and violent, involving illicit sexual rituals in sacred groves and the horrific sacrifice of children to pagan deities. This passage stands in stark contrast to the righteous life God desires, highlighting the depths of spiritual and moral decay the people had fallen into.
The Bible doesn't shy away from intense imagery to describe sin. This verse uses language of passionate desire, but directed towards the unthinkable.
The Hebrew word used here for 'enflaming yourselves' carries a strong sense of burning desire, even lust. It paints a picture of an obsessive, passionate pursuit.
A Dangerous Passion
This wasn't just a casual interest; it was an all-consuming passion. The people were 'burning' with desire for idols, engaging in rituals that mirrored illicit relationships. This intense devotion was directed away from God and towards lifeless objects.
The Grove and the Tree
The mention of 'oaks' and 'every green tree' points to the common practice of idolatry in natural settings – groves and under prominent trees. These places became focal points for their forbidden worship, seen as sacred spots for their illicit gods.
This verse describes one of the most horrific acts imaginable – child sacrifice. What drove people to such unspeakable cruelty?
The phrase 'slaying your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks' is a stark description of child sacrifice, a practice common among surrounding pagan nations and sadly adopted by some Israelites.
The Depths of Deception
This wasn't just about appeasing angry gods; it was a manifestation of a deep spiritual corruption. The intense 'burning' for idols led to the ultimate betrayal of their most sacred trust – the protection of their children. These acts were carried out in hidden, desolate places, symbolizing the dark and shameful nature of their worship.
Geographic Markers of Sin
The 'valleys' and 'clefts of the rocks' likely refer to specific geographical locations in and around Jerusalem, such as the valley of Hinnom (Tophet), known for these horrific rituals. These places became synonymous with the nation's sin and God's impending judgment.
Understand the original words
ets · Hebrew Noun
Often associated with Canaanite fertility cults, trees were frequent sites for idolatrous worship, occultic rituals, and sexual immorality in defiance of God's commandment to worship only at the central sanctuary.
shachat · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the ritualistic sacrifice of children to false deities (such as Molech). It is condemned in the Bible as a detestable abomination representing the ultimate expression of rebellion against God, the Creator and giver of life.
The prophet Isaiah confronts the persistent idolatry and horrific child sacrifice that plagued Judah for centuries, culminating in the Babylonian exile. This verse paints a stark picture of the depth of spiritual corruption that led to national catastrophe, urging the people to confront their past sins.
c. 732 BC
Reign of Ahaz
King Ahaz of Judah introduces pagan practices, including child sacrifice in the valley of Hinnom, influenced by Assyrian and other foreign cults.
c. 687–642 BC
Reign of Manasseh
King Manasseh, Ahaz's grandson, deeply entrenches idolatry and child sacrifice, further corrupting Judah's religious practices.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah purges the Temple and Jerusalem of idolatrous objects and practices, including destroying the high places and the shrine at Tophet in the valley of Hinnom, attempting to restore pure worship.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens are exiled to Babylon following Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Judah's downfall.
This passage also uses strong imagery of sexual impurity and idolatry, referring to Samaria and Jerusalem as 'Oholah' and 'Oholibah' who pursued lovers and engaged in idolatrous practices, mirroring the 'lust' and 'idols' mentioned in Isaiah.
Deuteronomy 12:2This verse describes the practice of worshipping foreign gods under 'every green tree,' directly correlating with the imagery in Isaiah 57:5 and highlighting the pervasive nature of idolatry in the land.
2 Kings 17:17This passage explicitly links the practice of sacrificing children in the fire with idolatry, stating that 'they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire,' which is a direct parallel to Isaiah's description of child sacrifice in the valleys.
Jeremiah 7:31Jeremiah also condemns the practice of child sacrifice in the valley of Hinnom (the 'valley of the son of Hinnom'), directly referencing the location and horrific act described in Isaiah 57:5.
Romans 1:23Paul describes the Gentiles exchanging the glory of God for images, worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator, which echoes the theme of people 'inflaming themselves with idols' and turning away from God.
bensonIsaiah 57:5: "Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Isaiah 57:5-6 . Inflaming yourselves with idols — Hebrew, הנחמים , being inflamed, or growing hot, after idols, as Dr. Waterland renders it. Lusting after them, and mad upon them, as the phrase is, Jeremiah 50:38 . Fervent, both in making and in worshipping them, as was observed Isaiah 44:12 . Under every green tree — Wherever you see an idol erected, which w…
barnesIsaiah 57:5: "Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Inflaming yourselves - Burning, that is, with lust. The whole language here is derived from adulterous intercourse. The sense is, that they were greatly addicted to idolatry, and that they used every means to increase and extend the practice of it. The Vulgate, however, renders this, 'Who console yourselves.' The Septuagint renders it, 'Invoking (παρακαλοῦντ…
The verse paints a vivid picture of intense, even orgiastic, devotion to idols, linking "burning with lust" directly to their idolatrous practices. This isn't just about misplaced affection; it's about a passionate, almost adulterous fervor for false gods that drove them to commit the horrific act of child sacrifice in hidden, desolate places.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, accusing them of turning away from God to engage in idolatrous practices. These practices are depicted as deeply corrupt and violent, involving illicit sexual rituals in sacred groves and the horrific sacrifice of children to pagan deities. This passage stands in stark contrast to the righteous life God desires, highlighting the depths of spiritual and moral decay the people had fallen into.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, accusing them of turning away from God to engage in idolatrous practices. These practices are depicted as deeply corrupt and violent, involving illicit sexual rituals in sacred groves and the horrific sacrifice of children to pagan deities. This passage stands in stark contrast to the righteous life God desires, highlighting the depths of spiritual and moral decay the people had fallen into.
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586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event marks the end of the Judean monarchy.
c. 550 BC
Prophetic Activity of Isaiah
During the Babylonian exile, prophets like Isaiah likely continued to address the spiritual and moral failings of the exiled people, reflecting on the causes of their downfall.
"you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?" — The verse paints a vivid picture of intense, even orgiastic, devotion to idols, linking "burning with lust" directly to their idolatrous practices. This isn't just about misplaced affection; it's abo…
