Isaiah 57:3

KJV

¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

KJV (with Strong's)

But draw near {H7126} hither, ye sons {H1121} of the sorceress {H6049}, the seed {H2233} of the adulterer {H5003} and the whore {H2181}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"But you, you witches' children, come here, you spawn of adulterers and whores!

Berean Standard Bible

“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

American Standard Version

But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:3 delivers a scathing prophetic indictment against a segment of ancient Israel, characterized by their profound spiritual apostasy and moral depravity. Far from an invitation to intimacy, the command to "draw near hither" serves as a summons to judgment, confronting those who have abandoned their covenant relationship with Yahweh for the allure of idolatry, occult practices, and sexual immorality. The verse's vivid, metaphorical language identifies these individuals as a generation born of spiritual unfaithfulness, highlighting the deep-seated nature of their rebellion against God's holiness and covenant demands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57:3 is situated within a broader prophetic discourse (Isaiah 57) that sharply contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. The preceding verses ([Isaiah 57:1-2](/isaiah/57-1 "Isaiah 57:1-2 - The Righteous Perish")) lament the premature death of the righteous, who are taken away from impending evil and find peace, implying a divine protection even in death. Immediately following this verse, Isaiah launches into a detailed exposé of the specific idolatrous and immoral practices of the unfaithful, including cultic prostitution, child sacrifice, and reliance on pagan rituals and foreign alliances rather than on the Lord ([Isaiah 57:4-13](/isaiah/57-4 "Isaiah 57:4-13 - God's Indictment of Idolatry")). Thus, verse 3 acts as a direct, confrontational address, setting the stage for the specific charges that follow and emphasizing the deep spiritual sickness of the addressed generation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Isaiah's prophecy (8th century BCE) was marked by significant political instability and a pervasive syncretism in Judah. Despite the monotheistic covenant established at Sinai, the people frequently succumbed to the influence of surrounding Canaanite and Assyrian religious practices. This included worship on "high places" (often associated with fertility cults), child sacrifice (e.g., to Molech), divination, sorcery, and cultic prostitution, all of which were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices of the Nations")). The terms "sorceress," "adulterer," and "whore" in this verse are not merely literal but powerfully reflect the spiritual harlotry of Israel, who had broken their covenant vows to Yahweh by pursuing illicit relationships with foreign gods and their associated immoral rituals. This spiritual unfaithfulness mirrored and often led to literal moral decay within the society.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Rebuke and Judgment**, signaling God's profound displeasure with His people's spiritual state and His imminent judicial action. The summons to "draw near" is a call to account, not to fellowship. Secondly, the verse highlights **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, a pervasive theme where Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh is likened to a marriage, and their turning to other gods is depicted as an act of infidelity or harlotry ([Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - God's Covenant with Israel as a Marriage"), [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Picture of Israel's Harlotry")). The "sorceress," "adulterer," and "whore" are potent metaphors for this covenant breach. Lastly, it addresses **Moral Corruption**, indicating that spiritual apostasy inevitably leads to a breakdown of ethical standards and a descent into practices contrary to God's righteous character, as seen in the broader context of [Isaiah chapter 57](/isaiah/57 "Isaiah 57 - God's Condemnation of Idolatry and Promise of Restoration")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **draw near (Hebrew, _qârab'_):** This primitive root signifies to approach or bring near for various purposes. In this context, it is a summons, not an invitation to intimacy or worship, but a confrontational call to stand before God for judgment. It implies a forced proximity for the purpose of accusation and condemnation, underscoring the severity of the divine address.
* **sorceress (Hebrew, _ʻânan'_):** While the KJV translates this as "sorceress," the root meaning is "to cover" or "to cloud over," and it is used as a denominative from a word meaning "cloud." Figuratively, it denotes acting covertly, practicing magic, observing times, or soothsaying. This term points to illicit occult practices, divination, and reliance on forbidden spiritual powers rather than the Lord, which were strictly prohibited in Israel and seen as a profound betrayal of God's exclusive claim.
* **whore (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** This primitive root means to commit adultery, often referring to female promiscuity or simple fornication. Crucially, in prophetic literature, it is frequently used figuratively to describe spiritual infidelity, specifically Israel's idolatry. The Jewish people were regarded as the spouse of Jehovah, and their pursuit of other gods was considered spiritual harlotry, a violation of their covenant vows. The term emphasizes the wanton and deliberate nature of their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But draw near hither":** This is a direct, imperative command from God, delivered through the prophet. It is a summons, not an invitation to fellowship or repentance, but a confrontational call for the accused to present themselves for judgment and to hear the charges against them. It carries an air of divine authority and impending reckoning.
* **"ye sons of the sorceress":** This phrase identifies the recipients of the rebuke. "Sons" (or children) here denotes not just biological offspring but a generation characterized by, or inheriting the spiritual traits of, a "sorceress." This refers to those engaged in or descended from a lineage marked by occult practices, divination, and reliance on forbidden spiritual powers, indicating a deep-seated rejection of Yahweh's exclusive authority.
* **"the seed of the adulterer and the whore":** This further intensifies the identification of the accused. "Seed" (or offspring) reinforces the idea of a generation or lineage. "Adulterer" and "whore" are powerful metaphors for spiritual unfaithfulness to God. Just as adultery violates a marriage covenant, Israel's pursuit of idolatry violated their covenant with Yahweh, who had chosen them as His bride. This clause emphasizes their pervasive spiritual and moral corruption, linking their identity to a heritage of unfaithfulness and illicit spiritual relationships.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:3 is rich in **Metaphor**, where abstract spiritual realities are depicted through concrete, vivid imagery. The terms "sorceress," "adulterer," and "whore" are not primarily literal descriptions of the individuals' parents but powerful symbolic representations of the spiritual and moral character of the addressed generation. Israel's idolatry is consistently portrayed as **Spiritual Adultery** throughout the prophetic books, highlighting the covenant as a marriage and unfaithfulness as a breach of that sacred bond. The phrase "sons of the sorceress" and "seed of the adulterer and the whore" employs **Synecdoche**, where a part (the parents' sin) represents the whole (the pervasive sinfulness of the generation). There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the command "draw near hither." While "drawing near" often implies intimacy or worship, here it is a summons to judgment, subverting the typical positive connotation of the phrase to underscore the severity of their apostasy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:3 powerfully articulates God's abhorrence of spiritual infidelity and moral depravity, echoing a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament: the exclusive nature of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. God's holiness demands complete devotion, and any deviation towards idolatry or occult practices is considered an act of betrayal, akin to adultery. This verse underscores the severe consequences of such apostasy, not just for the individual but for the entire "seed" or generation that embraces these sins. It reveals God's righteous anger against those who corrupt themselves and His covenant, serving as a stark reminder that true worship requires undivided loyalty and purity of heart.

* [Deuteronomy 32:5](/deuteronomy/32-5 "Deuteronomy 32:5 - Corrupt and Perverse Generation")
* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Spiritual Harlotry and Idolatry")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:3, though directed at ancient Israel, serves as a timeless and piercing challenge for believers today. The "sorceress," "adulterer," and "whore" represent any spiritual pursuit or allegiance that competes with our exclusive devotion to the one true God. In a world saturated with distractions and alternative sources of "truth" or "fulfillment," this verse compels us to examine our own hearts: Are we truly living as "sons and daughters" of God, or have we subtly adopted the "seed" of worldly values, seeking guidance from sources other than His Word, or finding our ultimate satisfaction in anything other than Him? The call to "draw near" for judgment reminds us that God sees our hidden allegiances and calls us to radical purity and undivided loyalty. It is a summons to repent from any form of spiritual compromise and to renew our covenant vows to Christ, ensuring that our lives reflect His holiness in thought, word, and deed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sorceries" or "adulteries" might subtly draw my allegiance away from God in today's world (e.g., materialism, self-reliance, social media validation, political ideologies)?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate an undivided loyalty to God, or where might I be compromising my spiritual purity?**
* **In what ways might I be part of a "seed" or generation that is spiritually compromised, and how can I actively pursue a different path of faithfulness?**
* **What does it mean for me to "draw near" to God, not for judgment, but for genuine intimacy and transformation?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use such harsh language, calling them "sons of the sorceress" and "seed of the adulterer and the whore"?**

Answer: The language is intentionally harsh and metaphorical to convey the extreme gravity of Israel's spiritual rebellion. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and especially within the covenant framework, unfaithfulness to a divine covenant was often depicted as adultery or prostitution, symbolizing a profound betrayal of a sacred relationship. Calling them "sons/seed" of such figures emphasizes that their spiritual and moral corruption was not incidental but deeply ingrained, characteristic of their very identity as a generation. It highlights the pervasive nature of their idolatry and the deep offense it caused to a holy God who had entered into an exclusive covenant with them. This strong imagery was meant to shock and expose the severity of their sin, leaving no room for misunderstanding the divine displeasure.

**Is this verse still relevant for Christians today, given that we are under grace and not the Law?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the specific historical context of ancient Israel's idolatry differs from modern challenges, the underlying principles of spiritual faithfulness and the dangers of idolatry remain profoundly relevant. The New Testament consistently warns against spiritual adultery (e.g., [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")) and the pursuit of "other gods," which can manifest as materialism, self-worship, or placing anything above Christ. The "sorceress" can represent seeking guidance or power from sources other than God, while "adulterer and whore" can symbolize any compromise of our devotion to Christ, who calls us to be His pure bride ([2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Paul's Jealousy for the Church")). This verse serves as a timeless reminder that God demands exclusive worship and purity of heart from His people in every generation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:3's harsh indictment of a generation steeped in spiritual adultery and sorcery finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in Jesus Christ. The "sons of the sorceress" and "seed of the adulterer and the whore" represent humanity's innate propensity for rebellion and unfaithfulness, a lineage of sin inherited from Adam ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered the World Through One Man")). However, Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, stands as the perfectly faithful one, the "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promises Made to Abraham and His Seed")). He is not born of spiritual harlotry but of the Holy Spirit ([Matthew 1:18](/matthew/1-18 "Matthew 1:18 - The Birth of Jesus Christ")). Where Israel failed in its covenant faithfulness, Christ perfectly fulfilled it, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to cleanse us from the spiritual harlotry and idolatry that separates us from God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through His atoning work, those who were once "sons of disobedience" ([Ephesians 2:2](/ephesians/2-2 "Ephesians 2:2 - Following the Prince of the Power of the Air")) can be reborn as "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God Through Belief in Jesus")). He calls us to "draw near" not for judgment, but to a throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")), offering true intimacy and a new covenant relationship where our hearts are made pure and our devotion undivided ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). In Him, the bride of Christ is being prepared, pure and without blemish, in stark contrast to the "whore" depicted in Isaiah 57:3, awaiting the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1 John 3:10

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Revelation 17:1

¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Revelation 17:5

And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Isaiah 1:21

¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

Matthew 23:33

[Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?