Isaiah 57:3

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

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

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

โ€œBut come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

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

Commentary

Isaiah 57:3 delivers a sharp prophetic rebuke, specifically directed at those in ancient Israel who had abandoned true worship of God for idolatry and moral corruption. The language is intensely metaphorical, painting a vivid picture of spiritual rebellion.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Isaiah chapter 57, where the prophet Isaiah contrasts the fate of the righteous, who are taken away from evil to find rest (Isaiah 57:1-2), with the condemnation of the wicked and unfaithful. The address "draw near hither" is not an invitation to intimacy, but a summons to judgment, a direct confrontation from God to those who have deeply offended Him through their spiritual and moral transgressions. This passage immediately precedes a detailed indictment of their pagan practices, child sacrifice, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Rebuke and Judgment: The verse opens with a direct, confrontational command, signaling God's severe displeasure with the spiritual state of His people. It highlights the divine indignation against unfaithfulness.
  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The core accusation is encapsulated in the terms "sons of the sorceress," "seed of the adulterer and the whore." These are powerful metaphors for Israel's pervasive idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to their covenant with God. Just as a marriage covenant implies exclusive loyalty, Israel's covenant with Yahweh demanded exclusive worship. Their turning to foreign gods and pagan rituals was considered spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:8-9, Ezekiel chapter 16).
  • Moral Corruption: Beyond direct idolatry, the language points to a general moral decay and a rejection of God's righteous standards. Practices associated with sorcery and harlotry often involved illicit sexual acts and disregard for the Law of Moses.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV terms used here carry significant weight from the original Hebrew:

  • "Sorceress" (Hebrew: qesumah - ืงึฐืกื•ึผืžึธื”) refers to practices of divination, magic, and forbidden occult arts, which were strictly prohibited in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This implies a reliance on forces other than God for guidance and power.
  • "Adulterer" (Hebrew: no'ef - ื ึนืึตืฃ) and "whore" (Hebrew: zonah - ื–ื•ึนื ึธื”) are strong and deliberate choices. While literally referring to sexual immorality, in prophetic literature, they are frequently used as allegories for Israel's unfaithfulness to God, violating the covenant relationship which is often depicted as a marriage between God and His people (Hosea 1:2). The "sons" and "seed" imply a lineage or generation characterized by these sins.

Practical Application

While directed at ancient Israel, Isaiah 57:3 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and the pursuit of anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own loyalties:

  • Examine Our Allegiances: Are we truly devoted to God, or are there "other gods" (e.g., money, success, pleasure, self) that subtly draw our allegiance away from Him?
  • Flee Spiritual Idolatry: The call to "draw near" for judgment reminds us that God sees and condemns all forms of spiritual unfaithfulness. We are called to keep ourselves from idols, whether overt or subtle.
  • Embrace Purity and Faithfulness: This verse underscores the importance of a pure heart and unwavering faithfulness to God, not just outwardly but inwardly. It calls for genuine repentance when we stray, and a renewed commitment to the one true God.
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

  • 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

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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?
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