Isaiah 57:9
You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse paints a vivid picture of desperation, not just seeking aid from foreign powers, but engaging in elaborate rituals with costly oils and perfumes. It highlights that their "journeying" wasn't just political, but a spiritual prostration, seeking favor from "the king" and even descending to the depths of Sheol, showing a complete abandonment of faithfulness to God for any means of escape.
Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, who have repeatedly turned away from God. Having already condemned their idolatrous practices and spiritual adultery, he now exposes their misplaced trust in foreign powers for protection. This verse highlights their diplomatic and religious efforts to secure alliances with earthly kings, seeing them as a substitute for God's own covenantal faithfulness.
Why would God’s people send expensive gifts to anyone but Him? This verse paints a picture of misplaced loyalty and desperate alliances.
The people of Judah are depicted as seeking favor not from their covenant God, but from foreign powers – 'the king.'
The verse doesn't just mention seeking foreign kings; it speaks of debasing oneself 'even unto hell.' What does this extreme language reveal about idolatry?
The journey described in Isaiah 57:9 goes beyond political maneuvering; it plunges into the heart of spiritual degradation.
Understand the original words
she'owl · Hebrew Noun
Sheol is the term used in the Old Testament to describe the abode of the dead, the underworld, or the place of departed spirits. It represents the grave or the shadowy existence beyond physical death, often contrasted with the fullness of life found in God's presence.
This verse depicts Judah's desperate and idolatrous attempts to secure foreign alliances, symbolized by lavish diplomatic gifts and the seeking of aid from distant powers and even underworld deities, a stark contrast to their covenant with God.
8th century BC
Assyrian Expansion and Influence
The Neo-Assyrian Empire exerted significant political and military pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, leading to alliances and tribute.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Intervention in Judah
King Ahaz of Judah sought alliance with Assyria against Damascus and Israel, paying tribute and adopting Assyrian religious practices.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, leading to the deportation of its population and increasing pressure on Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib's campaign against Judah resulted in the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of many Judean cities, though Jerusalem was miraculously spared.
7th century BC
This passage describes the same kind of enticement and reliance on foreign powers, paralleling the 'journeying to the king' with 'oil and perfumes' as a metaphor for seeking alliances through lavish gifts and enticements.
Hosea 12:1This verse directly quotes a similar accusation: 'They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt,' highlighting the practice of sending valuable goods like oil as bribes for political alliances.
Proverbs 7:17The imagery of 'perfumes' and 'ointment' connects to the description of a seductress, underscoring the idea that these actions are not just political but also morally corrupt and alluring, akin to a harlot's enticements.
Jeremiah 2:18This passage criticizes seeking help from Egypt and Assyria, showing a consistent theme in the prophetic books of God's people turning to foreign nations for aid instead of trusting in Him, which is what Isaiah is condemning.
Isaiah 30:1-7This passage elaborates on the folly of seeking aid from Egypt, describing the 'pride and ineffectual rage' of these alliances, directly supporting the critique in Isaiah 57:9 of seeking help from distant 'kings'.
clarkeIsaiah 57:9: "And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell."
And thou wentest to the king with ointment "And thou hast visited the king with a present of oil" - That is, the king of Assyria, or Egypt. Hosea, chap, Hosea 12:1 , reproaches the Israelites for the same practice: - "They make a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt." It is well known, that in all parts of the e…
pulpitIsaiah 57:9: "And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell."
Verse 9. - And thou wentest to the king, Delitzsch and Mr. Cheyne understand "the King of Assyria," and regard the verse as bringing forward a new subject of complaint: "Not only hast thou deserted me tot other gods, but thou trustest for aid, not to me, but to the Assyrian monarch." But there is no indication of the Jews hav…
This verse paints a vivid picture of desperation, not just seeking aid from foreign powers, but engaging in elaborate rituals with costly oils and perfumes. It highlights that their "journeying" wasn't just political, but a spiritual prostration, seeking favor from "the king" and even descending to the depths of Sheol, showing a complete abandonment of faithfulness to God for any means of escape.
Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, who have repeatedly turned away from God. Having already condemned their idolatrous practices and spiritual adultery, he now exposes their misplaced trust in foreign powers for protection. This verse highlights their diplomatic and religious efforts to secure alliances with earthly kings, seeing them as a substitute for God's own covenantal faithfulness.
Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, who have repeatedly turned away from God. Having already condemned their idolatrous practices and spiritual adultery, he now exposes their misplaced trust in foreign powers for protection. This verse highlights their diplomatic and religious efforts to secure alliances with earthly kings, seeing them as a substitute for God's own covenantal faithfulness.
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Continued Political Intrigue
Judah, though often a vassal state, engaged in shifting alliances with Egypt and Babylon, sometimes defying Assyria.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II decisively defeated the Egyptians and Assyrians, marking the rise of Babylon as the dominant power in the region.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deported King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judeans to Babylon, including the prophet Ezekiel, following a revolt.
"You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol." — This verse paints a vivid picture of desperation, not just seeking aid from foreign powers, but engaging in elaborate rituals with costly oils and perfumes. It highlights that their "journeying" wasn…
