Isaiah 57:5-7
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? Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a grain offering. Shall I relent for these things? On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse describes not just outward actions but an inner fire of passion directed toward idols, likening it to burning lust. This intense, almost ecstatic devotion to false gods is further illustrated by the shocking practice of child sacrifice, highlighting the extreme and depraved depths of their idolatry.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the unfaithful people of Judah, who have turned from God to engage in detestable idolatrous practices. This passage follows a lament over the death of the righteous and critiques the religious hypocrisy and spiritual unfaithfulness of the people, comparing their devotion to idols to the fervor of illicit passion. It describes the gross idolatry and child sacrifice that were prevalent in the land, highlighting their pagan rituals performed in hidden, natural places.
The verse paints a vivid, almost disturbing, picture of intense devotion. What does it mean to be 'enflamed' for something that isn't God?
The prophet uses strong imagery to describe the Israelites' passionate pursuit of idols.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 57:5-7 is available in the Sola app.
The text doesn't just describe spiritual betrayal; it details horrific acts of violence. What is the ultimate price of turning away from God?
This verse doesn't pull punches, revealing the devastating consequences of turning to idols.
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.
cheleq · Hebrew Noun
In an Old Testament context, a portion refers to an assigned share or inheritance, often implying a person’s God or the object of their ultimate devotion. It denotes what one relies upon for identity, security, and sustenance.
nesek · Hebrew Noun
A drink offering was a liquid sacrifice, usually wine, poured out upon an altar or at a site of worship as an act of devotion, recognition of God's authority, or to accompany other sacrifices. It symbolized the pouring out of one's life or gratitude.
minchah · Hebrew Noun
A grain offering (minchah) was a tribute or gift sacrifice presented to God, consisting of flour, oil, and frankincense. It recognized God as the provider and sustainer of life, distinct from blood sacrifices which addressed sin.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
In a spiritual sense, sacrifice is the act of offering something valued—traditionally an animal—to a deity. It serves as an act of worship, a plea for atonement, or a token of commitment, often involving the surrender of something to bridge the gap between the worshiper and the divine.
This verse vividly describes the depths of idolatry and horrific child sacrifice practiced in Judah, particularly during the reigns of kings like Manasseh, as a direct violation of God's covenant and a major cause for the impending judgment and exile.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Growing Power
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was at its height, exerting significant military and political pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This context of foreign threat and internal instability often led to syncretism and foreign religious practices.
c. 715-697 BC
Reign of King Hezekiah
King Hezekiah initiated religious reforms, attempting to purge Judah of idolatry and centralize worship at the Jerusalem Temple. However, the deep-seated idolatrous practices Isaiah denounces likely persisted in various forms.
c. 697-642 BC— this verse
Reign of King Manasseh
King Manasseh reversed Hezekiah's reforms, reintroducing and even promoting widespread idolatry, including child sacrifice. This period represents a peak of the very abominations Isaiah condemns.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of King Josiah
King Josiah enacted sweeping reforms after the discovery of the Book of the Law, attempting to eradicate the syncretistic and pagan practices, including child sacrifice, that had become entrenched.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon began deporting Jewish elites to Babylon, a prelude to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, driven in part by Judah's continued defiance and idolatry.
This passage directly references the practice of sacrificing children in the Valley of Hinnom, a location implied by Isaiah's description of 'valleys' and 'clefts of the rocks'.
Ezekiel 6:13This verse describes the Israelites' idolatry in high places and groves, echoing Isaiah's imagery of worship 'under every green tree'.
Romans 1:23Paul describes Gentiles exchanging the glory of God for images and worshipping created things, paralleling Isaiah's condemnation of those 'inflaming yourselves with idols'.
2 Kings 17:17This verse details the Israelite practice of sacrificing their sons and daughters, directly correlating with Isaiah's harsh accusation of 'slaying your children'.
Psalm 106:37-38This psalm recounts the Israelites sacrificing their sons and daughters to demons in the land, mirroring the idolatrous and brutal practices described by Isaiah.
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 describes not just outward actions but an inner fire of passion directed toward idols, likening it to burning lust. This intense, almost ecstatic devotion to false gods is further illustrated by the shocking practice of child sacrifice, highlighting the extreme and depraved depths of their idolatry.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the unfaithful people of Judah, who have turned from God to engage in detestable idolatrous practices. This passage follows a lament over the death of the righteous and critiques the religious hypocrisy and spiritual unfaithfulness of the people, comparing their devotion to idols to the fervor of illicit passion. It describes the gross idolatry and child sacrifice that were prevalent in the land, highlighting their pagan rituals performed in hidden, natural places.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the unfaithful people of Judah, who have turned from God to engage in detestable idolatrous practices. This passage follows a lament over the death of the righteous and critiques the religious hypocrisy and spiritual unfaithfulness of the people, comparing their devotion to idols to the fervor of illicit passion. It describes the gross idolatry and child sacrifice that were prevalent in the land, highlighting their pagan rituals performed in hidden, natural places.
"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? Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are yo…" — The verse describes not just outward actions but an inner fire of passion directed toward idols, likening it to burning lust. This intense, almost ecstatic devotion to false gods is further illustrat…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
