Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

And of whom hast thou been afraid {H1672} or feared {H3372}, that thou hast lied {H3576}, and hast not remembered {H2142} me, nor laid {H7760} it to thy heart {H3820}? have not I held my peace {H2814} even of old {H5769}, and thou fearest {H3372} me not?

Of whom have you been so afraid, so fearful that you lied? But me you don't remember, you don't give me a thought! I have held my peace so long that you no longer fear me.

Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?

And of whom hast thou been afraid and in fear, that thou liest, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of long time, and thou fearest me not?

Commentary

Isaiah 57:11 is a poignant question from God to His unfaithful people, Judah, revealing the depth of their spiritual apostasy and the reasons behind it. It exposes their misplaced fears, their forgetfulness of God, and their misinterpretation of His long-suffering patience.

Context

This verse comes from a section of Isaiah (chapters 56-66) that addresses the spiritual state of Judah, particularly during the time leading up to and during the Babylonian exile, but also looking beyond. Chapter 57 specifically condemns the rampant idolatry, spiritual harlotry, and general wickedness prevalent among the people. God confronts their pursuit of pagan practices and foreign alliances, which they engaged in out of a misguided sense of security or fear of man, rather than trusting in the Lord. The righteous are often overlooked or perish, while the wicked prosper in their deceit.

Key Themes

  • Misplaced Fear: The core accusation is, "of whom hast thou been afraid or feared?" The people's actions (lying, engaging in idolatry) stem from a fear of human adversaries, political pressures, or perceived threats, rather than a proper reverence for God. This highlights the danger of fearing man more than God.
  • Spiritual Amnesia and Apathy: God laments, "hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart?" This indicates a profound spiritual forgetfulness of God's past faithfulness, His covenant, and His commands. Their unfaithfulness was not merely external but rooted in a failure to internalize God's truth and love.
  • God's Patience Misunderstood: The phrase "have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?" reveals that God's long-suffering and perceived silence were tragically misinterpreted. Instead of leading to repentance, His patience led to a lack of proper awe and reverence for His holy character and ultimate authority.
  • Unfaithfulness and Lying: The "lying" refers to their spiritual deceit and betrayal of the covenant relationship with God, turning to idols and false gods as though they were a better source of security or power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "laid [it] to thy heart" (ืœึนื ืฉึทื‚ืžึฐืชึฐึผ ืขึทืœึพืœึดื‘ึตึผืšึฐ, lo' samta 'al-libbech) is significant. It doesn't just mean intellectual remembrance, but an active internalizing, considering deeply, and taking to heart. It implies a failure to truly care, to ponder, or to allow God's truth to influence one's decisions and affections. The "fear" (ื™ึธืจึตืืชึธ, yare'ta) God speaks of is not terror, but a proper reverence, awe, and respect for His divine authority and holiness, which Judah had clearly lost.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with many prophetic warnings against Israel's unfaithfulness. The theme of forgetting God is prevalent throughout Deuteronomy, particularly warnings like Deuteronomy 8:11-14, which cautions against forgetting the Lord in times of prosperity. The concept of spiritual adultery and chasing after other gods is a central motif in books like Hosea and Jeremiah. God's patience, though often misunderstood by humanity, is a fundamental aspect of His character, as articulated in 2 Peter 3:9, where His delay is for our repentance, not a sign of indifference.

Practical Application

Isaiah 57:11 holds timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Examine Our Fears: Are we, like ancient Judah, allowing fear of economic instability, social disapproval, or political uncertainty to drive us away from trusting God? True security comes from fearing God alone.
  • Cultivate Remembrance: In a world of distractions, it's vital to intentionally remember God's past faithfulness, His character, and His Word. This requires disciplined time in prayer, Scripture reading, and reflection, allowing His truths to truly "lay to our heart."
  • Understand God's Patience: God's silence or apparent delay in answering prayers or bringing justice is not a sign of His absence or weakness. It is often an invitation to deeper faith, repentance, and a testament to His mercy, providing more time for us and others to turn to Him.

This verse serves as a powerful call to renewed reverence, genuine remembrance, and unwavering trust in the living God, who alone is worthy of our devotion.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 51:12

    I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;

  • Isaiah 51:13

    And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

  • Proverbs 29:25

    ยถ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

  • Psalms 50:21

    These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

  • Jeremiah 2:32

    Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

  • Jeremiah 3:21

    A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping [and] supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, [and] they have forgotten the LORD their God.

  • Isaiah 30:9

    That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD:
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