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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The repetition of "they, they" isn't just emphasis; it highlights how Israel has completely abandoned God for these lifeless stones, making them their singular focus and inheritance instead of the Lord Himself. This sharpens the painful irony that their chosen "portion" is actually the source of their spiritual destitution.
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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah confronts the people of Israel for their persistent idolatry, accusing them of forsaking God for pagan practices. This verse specifically highlights their worship of sacred stones, likely found in riverbeds, to which they offered drink and grain offerings. The question that follows reveals God's indignant reaction to this betrayal, questioning if He could possibly find any solace or acceptance in such defiled worship.
What could possibly draw a people away from the Creator of the universe to mere rocks in a valley? Discover the deceptive appeal of these ancient idols.
A False Portion
This verse paints a vivid picture of Israel's spiritual adultery. They've chosen "smooth stones of the valley" as their inheritance, their "lot." This wasn't just a casual choice; it was a deliberate act of forsaking Jehovah, who had declared Himself to be their true portion and inheritance (Psalm 119:57).
What were these 'Smooth Stones'?
Scholars suggest these likely refer to objects of worship common in ancient Near Eastern paganism:
Deceptive Worship
Interestingly, the rituals performed were often imitations of true worship. Israel poured out drink offerings and presented grain offerings – acts prescribed by God for His own worship. This highlights a crucial point: idolatry often mimics true religion to deceive. The devil, as one commentator puts it, is God's ape, using familiar forms to lead people astray.
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A God's Disappointment
The rhetorical question, "Shall I relent for these things?" is not a question of doubt, but an expression of profound grief and anger. It conveys God's utter inability to accept or be pleased with worship directed towards inanimate objects, especially when it replaces devotion to Him.
God asks a question that reveals His deep hurt. What does it mean for God to be 'comforted' or 'to relent'?
A Heartbroken Father
The phrase "Should I receive comfort in these?" or "Should I relent for these things?" is crucial. It's not about God needing comfort like we do, but about His righteous response to His people's betrayal.
God's Expected Response
When God's people turn away to worship idols, it breaks the covenant relationship. God's natural, just response would be wrath and judgment. The question implies:
The answer is a resounding NO. God cannot be "comforted" by sin or idolatry. His very nature is grieved by His people's unfaithfulness.
The Irony of Imitation
God's grief is compounded by the fact that Israel is mimicking true worship. They are pouring libations and offering grain – acts that should be directed to Him. This imitation doesn't appease Him; it insults Him further. It's like a spouse offering flowers meant for their true love to someone else entirely.
A Call to Repentance
This rhetorical question isn't just a statement of God's sorrow; it's a powerful indictment and an urgent call to recognize the gravity of their actions. It exposes the futility of their worship and the certainty of His displeasure.
Understand the original words
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.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to a people deeply entrenched in idolatry, even after witnessing the devastating fall of Jerusalem and the Temple. The verse powerfully contrasts their chosen worship of inanimate stones with their covenant relationship with the living God, highlighting the absurdity and provocation of their actions.
c. 10th-6th centuries BC
Widespread Canaanite and other Semitic idolatry
During this period, various forms of idolatry, including the worship of sacred stones (often called 'Bethels'), were common among the peoples of Canaan and surrounding regions. These practices often involved libations and offerings.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its population. This event served as a stark warning about the consequences of straying from God.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Judah
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports thousands of Judeans, including royalty and skilled workers, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This is the pivotal event that contextualizes much of Isaiah's later prophecy, highlighting the judgment for unfaithfulness.
c. 550 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great begins his conquests, eventually leading to the fall of Babylon. This rise offers a glimmer of future restoration and return from exile.
This verse describes a similar theme of people worshipping created things ('saying to a stone, You are my father') instead of the Creator, highlighting the deep human tendency to turn away from God to lesser things.
Hosea 2:14-15Hosea paints a picture of God leading his unfaithful people back, comparing their idolatrous devotion ('her sacred groves,' 'her altars') to the smooth stones in Isaiah, showing God's persistent pursuit even amidst their betrayal.
Deuteronomy 29:17-18This passage warns against worshipping 'idols of wood and stone' and speaks of a 'poisonous and bitter root' springing up, paralleling Isaiah's imagery of finding one's 'portion' in lifeless objects that lead to spiritual ruin.
Psalm 115:4-8This psalm directly contrasts the lifeless idols of silver and gold with the living God, emphasizing that those who worship them become like them – unable to see, hear, or act, mirroring the futility of pouring offerings to stones.
wesleyIsaiah 57:6: "Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?"
57:6 Portion - Thou hast chosen for thy portion those idols, which were worshipped by the sides of brooks or rivers where such smooth stones commonly lie. They - Thou hast forsaken me and chosen idols. Offered - For the devil is God's ape, and idolaters used the same rites and offerings…
pulpitIsaiah 57:6: "Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?"
Verse 6. - Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion. Smooth stones, rounded by water-action, were among the objects worshipped by many Semitic peoples. Such stones were called βαίτυλοι or βαιτύλια - Bethels, or "houses of God " - and received libations of oil and wine from th…
The repetition of "they, they" isn't just emphasis; it highlights how Israel has completely abandoned God for these lifeless stones, making them their singular focus and inheritance instead of the Lord Himself. This sharpens the painful irony that their chosen "portion" is actually the source of their spiritual destitution.
The prophet Isaiah confronts the people of Israel for their persistent idolatry, accusing them of forsaking God for pagan practices. This verse specifically highlights their worship of sacred stones, likely found in riverbeds, to which they offered drink and grain offerings. The question that follows reveals God's indignant reaction to this betrayal, questioning if He could possibly find any solace or acceptance in such defiled worship.
The prophet Isaiah confronts the people of Israel for their persistent idolatry, accusing them of forsaking God for pagan practices. This verse specifically highlights their worship of sacred stones, likely found in riverbeds, to which they offered drink and grain offerings. The question that follows reveals God's indignant reaction to this betrayal, questioning if He could possibly find any solace or acceptance in such defiled worship.
"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?" — The repetition of "they, they" isn't just emphasis; it highlights how Israel has completely abandoned God for these lifeless stones, making them their singular focus and inheritance instead of the Lo…
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Last reviewed October 2026