Isaiah 57:3-5
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
An Idolatrous People[a]
3 But you, draw near,
you children of a sorceress,
offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute![b]
4 Against whom do you make sport,
against whom do you open wide your mouth,
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not rebellious children,
deceitful offspring—
5 You who burn with lust among the oaks,
under every green tree;
You who immolate children in the wadies,
among the clefts of the rocks?[c](A)
Footnotes
- 57:3–13 In this courtroom imagery, the idolaters are summoned before the judge (v. 3), their crimes are graphically described (vv. 4–11), their guilt is established, and condemnation is carried out (vv. 12–13b). In contrast to this, v. 13c describes the inheritance of God’s land and holy mountain given to those who place their confidence in God instead of in idols.
- 57:3 Language of sexual infidelity is often used in a figurative way to describe idolatry. Cf. Ez 16:15–22; Hos 2:4–7; Col 3:5.
- 57:5 Child sacrifice is also attested in 2 Kgs 23:10; Jer 7:31; Ez 16:20; 20:28, 31; 23:37–39.
Isaiah 57:3-5
New International Version
3 “But you—come here, you children of a sorceress,(A)
you offspring of adulterers(B) and prostitutes!(C)
4 Who are you mocking?
At whom do you sneer
and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,(D)
the offspring of liars?
5 You burn with lust among the oaks(E)
and under every spreading tree;(F)
you sacrifice your children(G) in the ravines
and under the overhanging crags.
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