Isaiah 57:7

KJV

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

KJV (with Strong's)

Upon a lofty {H1364} and high {H5375} mountain {H2022} hast thou set {H7760} thy bed {H4904}: even thither wentest thou up {H5927} to offer {H2076} sacrifice {H2077}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You set up your bed on a high, lofty mountain; you also went up there to offer sacrifices.

Berean Standard Bible

On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.

American Standard Version

Upon a high and lofty mountain hast thou set thy bed; thither also wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 57:7 delivers a scathing prophetic indictment against the spiritual infidelity of God's people, likely Judah, during a period marked by pervasive idolatry and moral decay. The verse employs powerful, sexually charged metaphors to portray their audacious and public embrace of pagan worship, likening their devotion to false gods to a harlot setting up her bed on prominent mountain tops to engage in illicit spiritual intercourse and offer forbidden sacrifices. It underscores the brazenness of their unfaithfulness and their blatant disregard for the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 57 is a chapter deeply entrenched in the themes of spiritual apostasy and God's righteous judgment, yet it is also punctuated by promises of restoration for the truly repentant. Immediately preceding [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places"), the prophet laments the death of the righteous, who are taken away from evil, implying that the wicked are left to face the consequences of their actions ([Isaiah 57:1-2](/isaiah/57-1 "Isaiah 57:1-2 - The Righteous Perish")). The verses leading up to our focal point ([Isaiah 57:3-6](/isaiah/57-3 "Isaiah 57:3-6 - God's Indictment of Idolatry")) directly accuse the people of being "children of transgression" and "offspring of falsehood," detailing their rituals under every green tree and in the clefts of the rocks, practices associated with fertility cults and necromancy. [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places") intensifies this accusation by highlighting the public and elevated nature of their idolatry, setting the stage for further condemnation of their spiritual harlotry and false security in alliances rather than in God ([Isaiah 57:8-10](/isaiah/57-8 "Isaiah 57:8-10 - Further Accusations of Idolatry")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Isaiah's prophecy is primarily the Southern Kingdom of Judah, spanning from the reigns of Uzziah to Hezekiah, a period often marked by political instability and spiritual decline. The "lofty and high mountain" refers to the "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*), elevated sites that were ubiquitous in ancient Canaanite worship. These locations were originally intended for legitimate worship of Yahweh but were frequently corrupted by syncretistic practices, eventually becoming centers for the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other pagan deities. Such worship often involved ritual prostitution (both male and female), divination, and even child sacrifice, all of which were explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites")). The brazenness implied by setting a "bed" on these high places speaks to the widespread and open embrace of these abominable practices, indicating a profound rejection of the covenant with Yahweh and a deep immersion in the surrounding pagan cultures.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Isaiah 57](/isaiah/57 "Isaiah 57 - Idolatry and God's Mercy") and particularly in [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places") is **Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery**. The prophet consistently portrays Israel's unfaithfulness to God as a bride committing adultery, a metaphor vividly conveyed by the "bed" imagery. This concept of spiritual harlotry is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books, notably in [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - Hosea's Marriage and Children") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - Israel's Unfaithfulness"). Another significant theme is **Rebellion and Audacity**. The phrase "lofty and high mountain" not only denotes the physical location but also signifies the open, defiant, and unashamed nature of their rebellion against God's commands. They were not hiding their idolatry but performing it in prominent, public places, demonstrating a profound lack of fear of the Lord. Finally, the verse highlights **False Worship**, emphasizing that the "sacrifice" offered was not to the one true God, Yahweh, but to idols. This demonstrates a complete departure from the covenant relationship and the pure worship prescribed by God, often involving the detestable practices of Canaanite fertility cults that promised prosperity but delivered spiritual emptiness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lofty (Hebrew, _gâbôahh'_):** This word, meaning "elevated" or "high," is used here to emphasize the conspicuous and prominent nature of the idolatrous sites. It suggests not just physical height but also a sense of arrogance or pride in their defiant acts. The people were not merely engaging in idolatry; they were doing so openly, on the most visible locations, as if to boast in their unfaithfulness.
* **mountain (Hebrew, _har'_):** A common term for a mountain or range of hills, often used figuratively to denote stability, power, or even promotion. In this context, "mountain" refers to the "high places" (bamot), which were notorious centers for pagan worship. By specifying a "lofty and high mountain," the text underscores the deliberate choice to elevate their idolatry, making it a public spectacle of spiritual rebellion.
* **bed (Hebrew, _mishkâb'_):** This term refers to a couch or bed, but in prophetic literature, especially when linked with idolatry, it often carries strong connotations of intimacy, sexual relations, and spiritual harlotry. Its placement on a "lofty and high mountain" suggests illicit sexual acts, symbolizing the deep spiritual adultery committed by God's people as they engaged in forbidden alliances and worship with false gods, often involving ritual prostitution at these pagan shrines.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** Derived from the verb "to slaughter," this noun refers to an animal slaughter, by implication, a sacrifice. While sacrifices were central to Yahweh worship, here the term is used in the context of offering to false gods. This highlights the perversion of a sacred act, transforming it into an abomination. The act of offering *zebach* on these "lofty and high mountains" confirms the complete deviation from the covenant and the adoption of pagan rituals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed:"** This clause vividly depicts the brazenness and public nature of Judah's spiritual idolatry. The "lofty and high mountain" signifies the "high places" where pagan worship, including fertility rites and ritual prostitution, was openly practiced. "Hast thou set thy bed" is a powerful metaphor for spiritual adultery, portraying the nation as an unfaithful bride who has abandoned her covenant husband, Yahweh, to engage in illicit intimacy with false gods. The act of "setting" implies a deliberate, intentional, and permanent commitment to this unfaithfulness, not a fleeting mistake.
* **"even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice."** This second clause reinforces the first, specifying the purpose of the "bed" on the mountain: to offer sacrifice. This is not a sacrifice to Yahweh, but to pagan deities, further cementing the charge of idolatry. The phrase "wentest thou up" emphasizes the active, willing, and even eager participation of the people in these forbidden rituals. It highlights their energetic pursuit of false gods, contrasting sharply with their neglect of true worship and obedience to the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 57:7 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily employing the imagery of a "bed" on a "lofty and high mountain" to represent the nation's spiritual idolatry as an act of harlotry. The "bed" symbolizes illicit sexual intimacy, vividly portraying the covenant breaking between God and His people, who are likened to an unfaithful spouse. The "mountain" serves as a metaphor for the "high places," notorious centers of pagan worship where forbidden rituals, including ritual prostitution, were performed. This use of sexual imagery to describe idolatry is a common prophetic device, emphasizing the profound betrayal and abomination of worshipping false gods. The verse also contains elements of **Hyperbole** in the description of the mountain as "lofty and high," underscoring the extreme and audacious nature of their public rebellion. It suggests that their unfaithfulness was not hidden but openly displayed for all to see, a defiant act against the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 57:7 powerfully articulates the core theological principle of God's demand for exclusive worship and the severe consequences of spiritual idolatry. It underscores the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel, portraying any deviation to other gods as an act of profound betrayal, akin to marital infidelity. This unfaithfulness is not merely a breaking of rules but a rupture of intimacy, a turning away from the source of true life and security. The "lofty and high mountain" symbolizes the human tendency to elevate anything—power, pleasure, security, self—above God, transforming it into an idol that demands allegiance and sacrifice. The verse serves as a timeless warning against the allure of false gods, whether ancient deities or modern obsessions, reminding believers that true peace and security are found only in an undivided devotion to the one true God.

* [Deuteronomy 32:16-17](/deuteronomy/32-16 "Deuteronomy 32:16-17 - Provoking God with Idols")
* [Jeremiah 2:20](/jeremiah/2-20 "Jeremiah 2:20 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")
* [Ezekiel 16:15-19](/ezekiel/16-15 "Ezekiel 16:15-19 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness as a Harlot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal practice of setting up beds on mountains for pagan sacrifices may be foreign to contemporary society, the spiritual essence of Isaiah 57:7 remains profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to introspectively examine our own lives and identify any "lofty and high mountains" where we might be setting our "beds" – that is, where we are investing our deepest affections, seeking our ultimate security, or deriving our primary identity apart from God. Modern idolatry often manifests subtly, taking the form of an insatiable pursuit of career success, material wealth, social validation, relational fulfillment, or even self-indulgence and comfort. Anything that usurps God's rightful place as our supreme devotion becomes a "high place" where we offer the "sacrifice" of our time, energy, and worship. The call from this verse is for exclusive devotion to the Lord, urging us to dismantle any spiritual "high places" in our hearts and redirect our worship, trust, and intimacy solely to Him. True peace, lasting security, and genuine fulfillment are found only in a faithful, undivided relationship with the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "lofty and high mountains" in my life where I might be tempted to seek security, identity, or fulfillment apart from God?**
* **How does my daily life, priorities, and affections reflect whom or what I truly worship and serve?**
* **In what ways might I be engaging in "spiritual adultery" by compromising my devotion to God for the sake of worldly desires or approval?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship is directed solely to the one true God, dismantling any modern "high places" in my heart?**

### FAQ

**What are "high places" in the biblical context, and why are they significant in Isaiah 57:7?**

Answer: In the biblical context, "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*) were elevated sites, often hills or artificial mounds, that served as locations for worship. While some were initially used for legitimate worship of Yahweh (e.g., [1 Samuel 9:12-14](/1_samuel/9-12 "1 Samuel 9:12-14 - Saul and Samuel at the High Place")), they became predominantly associated with the worship of foreign deities like Baal and Asherah, especially in Canaanite religion. These sites were notorious for practices explicitly forbidden by God's law, including ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and various forms of divination ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). In [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places"), their significance lies in representing the brazen and public nature of Israel's idolatry. By setting their "bed" and offering "sacrifice" on these "lofty and high mountains," the people were not merely engaging in private sin but openly defying God's covenant and embracing the abominable practices of the surrounding pagan cultures.

**Why does the verse use the imagery of a "bed" in connection with idolatry?**

Answer: The imagery of a "bed" (Hebrew: *mishkâb*) in [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places") is a powerful and intentionally provocative metaphor for spiritual adultery. Throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic books, God's covenant relationship with Israel is often likened to a marriage (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:1-10](/jeremiah/3-1 "Jeremiah 3:1-10 - Israel's Unfaithfulness")). Therefore, Israel's worship of other gods is depicted as an act of infidelity or harlotry. The "bed" specifically connotes intimacy and sexual relations, emphasizing the deep betrayal and illicit nature of their devotion to false deities. Furthermore, pagan worship at "high places" often involved ritual prostitution as part of fertility cults, making the "bed" a literal as well as metaphorical symbol of their spiritual corruption and unfaithfulness.

**Who is the "thou" being addressed in Isaiah 57:7?**

Answer: The "thou" in [Isaiah 57:7](/isaiah/57-7 "Isaiah 57:7 - Idolatry on High Places") refers to the unfaithful nation of Judah (or Israel more broadly, representing God's covenant people). The prophet Isaiah is speaking on behalf of God, directly addressing the collective entity that has strayed from its covenant obligations. This direct address emphasizes the personal nature of their betrayal against God, who had chosen them, redeemed them, and entered into a unique relationship with them. The use of "thou" makes the indictment deeply personal and accusatory, highlighting their individual and collective responsibility for their spiritual apostasy and idolatrous practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 57:7, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual harlotry and idolatry on "lofty and high mountains," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very problem addressed—humanity's propensity to elevate created things or self above the Creator, engaging in spiritual adultery—is fundamentally overcome through Christ. He is the true object of worship, the one to whom all allegiance is due, for "in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ's Supremacy")). Where Israel pursued illicit intimacy with false gods on high places, Christ, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, provided the means for humanity to be reconciled to God, cleansing us from the spiritual defilement of idolatry ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Blood")). He is the true "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that renders all other sacrifices, especially those to idols, obsolete and unnecessary. Furthermore, Christ ascended to the highest "mountain"—heaven itself—not to offer a bed of harlotry or pagan sacrifice, but to sit at the right hand of God, interceding for His people and establishing a new covenant of grace ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). In Him, believers are called to exclusive devotion, to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), dismantling all "high places" in their hearts and finding their ultimate satisfaction and security in Christ alone, who is "all in all" ([Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Colossians 3:11 - Christ is All")).

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

Ezekiel 23:41

And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.

Ezekiel 16:16

And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: [the like things] shall not come, neither shall it be [so].

Jeremiah 2:20

¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

Ezekiel 20:28

[For] when I had brought them into the land, [for] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

Ezekiel 20:29

Then I said unto them, What [is] the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

Jeremiah 3:6

¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

Jeremiah 3:2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.