Isaiah 57:6

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Among the smooth {H2511} stones of the stream {H5158} is thy portion {H2506}; they, they are thy lot {H1486}: even to them hast thou poured {H8210} a drink offering {H5262}, thou hast offered {H5927} a meat offering {H4503}. Should I receive comfort {H5162} in these?

Complete Jewish Bible

Your place is among the smooth stones in the vadi; these, these are what you deserve; you pour out drink offerings to them, you offer grain offerings to them. Should I calmly ignore these things?

Berean Standard Bible

Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?

American Standard Version

Among the smooth stones of the valley is thy portion; they, they are thy lot; even to them hast thou poured a drink-offering, thou hast offered an oblation. Shall I be appeased for these things?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:6 delivers a piercing indictment against the spiritual apostasy of Judah, vividly portraying their pervasive idolatry and profound unfaithfulness to Yahweh. The verse reveals that the people had deliberately chosen inanimate "smooth stones of the stream"—objects of pagan veneration—as their ultimate "portion" and "lot," dedicating to them the very offerings prescribed for the worship of the one true God. The Lord's rhetorical question, "Should I receive comfort in these?", powerfully conveys His utter abhorrence, grief, and rejection of their syncretistic and blasphemous worship, highlighting the profound offense their misplaced devotion caused Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57 is situated within a significant section of the book (chapters 56-66) that addresses both the pervasive sins of Israel and the future hope of restoration for the faithful remnant. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 57:6](/isaiah/57-6 "Isaiah 57:6 - Idolatry of Smooth Stones"), the prophet laments the tragic death of the righteous, who are mercifully taken away from the impending evil, contrasting their fate with the persistent wickedness of those who remain ([Isaiah 57:1-2](/isaiah/57-1-2 "Isaiah 57:1-2 - The Righteous Perish from Evil")). The verses leading directly into verse 6 ([Isaiah 57:3-5](/isaiah/57-3-5 "Isaiah 57:3-5 - Children of Transgression and Idolatry")) specifically condemn the spiritual harlotry and deeply ingrained idolatrous practices of the people, describing them with scathing terms like "children of transgression" and "offspring of falsehood." This particular verse, therefore, serves as a concrete and vivid illustration of the extent of Judah's spiritual abandonment, demonstrating how deeply they had forsaken their covenant relationship with the living God by turning to lifeless objects for their security and devotion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Isaiah's prophetic ministry, particularly the pre-exilic era, was characterized by widespread religious syncretism in Judah. Despite periodic reforms initiated by kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah, pagan worship, heavily influenced by Canaanite and Assyrian religious practices, frequently infiltrated and corrupted the religious life of the Israelites. The "smooth stones of the stream" likely refer to sacred stones (known as *baetyls*) or cultic idols often found near water sources, which were common objects of veneration in ancient Near Eastern fertility cults and nature worship. These stones were believed to house deities or spirits, or to possess inherent magical or life-giving properties. The act of pouring a "drink offering" (a libation) and offering a "meat offering" (a grain or meal offering) to these inanimate objects was a direct imitation and perversion of the prescribed worship of Yahweh in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - The Grain Offering"); [Numbers 28:7](/numbers/28-7 "Numbers 28:7 - The Drink Offering")). This practice not only signified a profound breach of the covenant but also a complete distortion of true worship, redirecting sacred acts meant for the Creator to created things.
* **Key Themes:** [Isaiah 57:6](/isaiah/57-6 "Isaiah 57:6 - Idolatry and God's Displeasure") powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost among these is the theme of **Pervasive Idolatry**, which illustrates the nation's profound spiritual unfaithfulness and their deliberate choice of powerless, inanimate objects over the omnipotent and living God. This verse starkly underscores the **Divine Displeasure and Rejection** of such practices, as God emphatically declares He cannot "receive comfort" from worship directed to false gods. It also highlights the theme of **False Security and Misplaced Trust**, as the people sought comfort, provision, and protection from these idols, rather than from the Lord, who alone is the true source of life, blessing, and security. This misguided devotion stands in direct opposition to the call for exclusive worship of Yahweh, as articulated in the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"), emphasizing the covenantal demand for singular allegiance to God alone.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **smooth (Hebrew, _challâq'_):** From H2511, meaning "smooth." This term describes the physical characteristic of the stones, likely shaped and polished by the continuous flow of water in a stream. In ancient pagan contexts, such naturally formed, smooth stones were often considered sacred, believed to be imbued with mystical properties, or seen as dwelling places for spirits or deities. Their "smoothness" could also imply an aesthetic appeal or a perceived purity that made them suitable for worship in the eyes of the idolaters, contrasting with the roughness of unhewn stone and highlighting the deceptive allure of false worship.
* **portion (Hebrew, _chêleq'_):** From H2506, meaning "allotment; flattery, inheritance, part, portion." This term signifies something designated or chosen as one's share, inheritance, or destiny. By declaring these smooth stones their "portion," the people of Judah were explicitly stating that their ultimate source of security, identity, and blessing was found in these idols, rather than in Yahweh, who was the true "portion" of Israel ([Psalm 73:26](/psalm/73-26 "Psalm 73:26 - God is My Portion")). This indicates a deliberate and profound misdirection of their allegiance, trust, and ultimate hope, choosing a created thing over the Creator.
* **comfort (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** From H5162, meaning "to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself); comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self)." In the context of "Should I receive comfort in these?", it expresses God's profound displeasure, sorrow, and His utter inability to find any solace, satisfaction, or peace in the idolatrous practices of His people. It is a powerful rhetorical question conveying His absolute rejection and disgust, implying that such actions bring Him deep grief and provoke His righteous anger, rather than any form of comfort or approval.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Among the smooth [stones] of the stream [is] thy portion":** This opening clause immediately identifies the objects of Judah's misplaced devotion. The "smooth stones of the stream" are not merely natural geological formations but have been elevated to a position of ultimate significance, becoming the chosen "portion" or inheritance of the people. This signifies a radical abandonment of Yahweh as their rightful inheritance and the sole source of their life, identity, and blessing, replacing Him with inanimate objects.
* **"they, they [are] thy lot":** This phrase emphatically reiterates and reinforces the previous statement. The striking repetition of "they, they" serves to highlight the deliberate, decisive, and deeply ingrained choice made by the people. Their destiny, their allocation, their very lot in life, has been inextricably tied to these lifeless idols, demonstrating a profound spiritual commitment and allegiance to false gods over the living God.
* **"even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering":** This part of the verse details the specific acts of worship performed by the idolaters. Pouring a "drink offering" (libation) and offering a "meat offering" (grain or meal offering) were sacred rituals explicitly prescribed in the Mosaic Law for the worship of Yahweh. By directing these very acts of devotion and sacrifice to "smooth stones," the people were not only engaging in blatant idolatry but also profaning the sacred rituals of true worship, demonstrating the depth of their spiritual perversion and their contempt for God's commands.
* **"Should I receive comfort in these?":** This is a climactic and profoundly powerful rhetorical question posed by God Himself. It expresses His absolute rejection, profound disgust, and deep sorrow over His people's actions. The implied answer is a resounding and unequivocal "No." Their idolatry brings Him no comfort, no pleasure, and no satisfaction; instead, it causes Him immense grief and provokes His righteous anger, signifying that such behavior is utterly incompatible with His holy nature and cannot coexist with His divine approval.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its scathing message of divine condemnation. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Should I receive comfort in these?"), which serves to underscore God's utter rejection, profound grief, and revulsion at the people's idolatry. The question implies a clear, forceful negative answer, emphasizing the impossibility of God finding any satisfaction or peace in such practices, thereby highlighting the immense gravity of their sin and its affront to His holiness. **Symbolism** is also central, with "smooth stones of the stream" serving as a powerful and ironic symbol of the inanimate, powerless, and ultimately futile objects of pagan worship. These natural elements, though perhaps aesthetically pleasing or culturally significant, represent the spiritual emptiness, deception, and ultimate barrenness inherent in idolatry. Furthermore, there is a profound **Irony** in the people offering sacred "drink offerings" and "meat offerings"—rituals explicitly meant for the living God—to lifeless stones. This ironic inversion of true worship exposes the absurdity, spiritual perversion, and profound blasphemy of their actions, revealing the depth of their spiritual blindness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:6 stands as a stark reminder of the biblical condemnation of idolatry, a pervasive theme woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering demand for exclusive worship, rooted in the very first commandment to have no other gods before Him ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). The verse underscores the inherent futility and spiritual barrenness of turning away from the living God to worship created things, which are utterly powerless to hear, see, or save. This act is not merely a misguided religious practice but a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship, provoking divine jealousy and righteous judgment. The theological implication is clear: true comfort, security, identity, and lasting blessing are found only in Yahweh, the Creator and Sustainer of all, not in any substitute, however appealing or culturally pervasive it may seem.

* [Deuteronomy 32:17](/deuteronomy/32-17 "Deuteronomy 32:17 - Sacrificing to Demons")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Futility of Idols")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - Exchanging God's Glory for Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 57:6 serves as a timeless and urgent warning against the insidious nature of idolatry, a sin that continues to manifest in myriad forms in contemporary society, even if not through literal "smooth stones." While we may not physically bow down to carved images, anything that usurps God's rightful, supreme place in our hearts—demanding our ultimate devotion, trust, time, energy, and resources—becomes an idol. This can encompass a wide range of pursuits: wealth, career success, possessions, relationships, power, self-image, intellectual achievements, comfort, or even our own opinions and desires. The verse challenges us to profoundly examine what our true "portion" is—what we genuinely rely on for comfort, security, meaning, and satisfaction. To whom or what are we pouring out our most precious "offerings" (our time, energy, affections, deepest loyalties, and life's pursuits)? God desires our exclusive and undivided devotion, and He cannot find comfort or approval in our divided loyalties or in anything that competes with Him for supremacy in our lives. Our true comfort, lasting peace, and ultimate security are found only in Him, the living God, who alone provides eternal satisfaction and salvation. This passage calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our allegiances, ensuring that God alone reigns as our supreme portion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "smooth stones" or seemingly benign objects, pursuits, or relationships in my life might be subtly demanding my ultimate devotion, trust, or affections, inadvertently displacing God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I primarily seeking comfort, security, identity, or fulfillment outside of God's presence and provision?**
* **How do my daily choices, priorities, and expenditures of time, energy, and resources reflect what I truly consider my "portion" or "lot"?**
* **What practical, concrete steps can I take to re-align my heart and life to ensure God is truly my exclusive "portion" and the sole object of my worship?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "smooth stones of the stream" in this verse?**

Answer: The "smooth stones of the stream" refer to objects of pagan idolatry common in the ancient Near East. These were often natural stones, smoothed by the action of water, that were considered sacred, believed to house deities or spirits, or used in fertility cults and nature worship. The people of Judah had adopted these pagan practices, treating these inanimate objects as their "portion" or source of blessing and security, rather than worshipping the one true God. This imagery highlights the deep spiritual corruption and syncretism prevalent during Isaiah's time, where people were offering sacrifices and devotion to created things instead of the Creator ([Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Worshiping the Creature Rather Than the Creator")).

**Why does God ask, "Should I receive comfort in these?"**

Answer: This is a powerful rhetorical question that conveys God's profound displeasure, sorrow, and utter rejection of Judah's idolatry. The implied answer is a resounding "No." God, as the holy and righteous Creator, cannot find any comfort, pleasure, or satisfaction in His people's worship of false gods. Their actions are a direct affront to His holiness, a profound betrayal of their covenant relationship, and a source of deep grief to Him. It underscores the absolute incompatibility of true worship with idolatry and the severity of their spiritual rebellion, which ultimately brings judgment rather than blessing or divine favor ([Deuteronomy 32:16](/deuteronomy/32-16 "Deuteronomy 32:16 - Provoking God to Jealousy")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:6, with its scathing condemnation of idolatry and God's emphatic rejection of misplaced worship, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "smooth stones" represent the futile and ultimately damning attempts of humanity to find comfort, security, and salvation in anything other than the living God. In stark contrast, Jesus is the true and living "portion" for all who believe, the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells bodily ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - The Fullness of Christ")). He is the ultimate "drink offering" and "meat offering," not one offered *to* idols, but the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice offered *for* us, whose shed blood cleanses us from all sin and whose broken body provides true spiritual nourishment and eternal life ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"); [John 6:53-56](/john/6-53-56 "John 6:53-56 - Eating Christ's Flesh and Drinking His Blood")). Through Christ, true worship is gloriously restored, no longer confined to physical locations or dependent on inanimate objects, but offered "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). God finds His ultimate comfort, delight, and satisfaction not in human rituals directed to false gods, but in the perfect obedience, redemptive suffering, and glorious resurrection of His Son, Jesus, who alone brings humanity back into right relationship with the Father, fulfilling the deepest longings that idols can never satisfy. Thus, the ancient call to abandon "smooth stones" is a profound and timeless call to embrace Christ as the sole object of our devotion, the source of all true comfort, and the very essence of our eternal life ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Idolatry as Greed") encourages us to put to death what is earthly, including idolatry, and seek Christ).

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

Jeremiah 3:9

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

Jeremiah 7:18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead [their] dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

Habakkuk 2:19

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

Jeremiah 5:29

Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 19:13

And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

Isaiah 65:11

¶ But ye [are] they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.