Isaiah 57:7

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

Isaiah 57:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:7

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed
Temples and altars, which are usually built on high places, where they commit spiritual adultery; that is, idolatry, in imitation of the Heathens, who had their temples and altars on high places; and the idolatry of the church of Rome, in this context, is all along expressed in language agreeable to the Heathen idolatry, and in allusion to it. Some think this phrase denotes impudence in their idolatrous worship; for not content to worship under trees, in valleys, and under clifts of rocks, and such dark places; now, as not blushing at, or being ashamed of their actions, erect their altars in the most public places. Perhaps some reference may be had to the city of Rome itself, built on seven mountains, the seat of antichrist, and where the principal bed for idolatry is set up. The Targum is,

``on a high and lofty mountain thou hast the place of the house of thy dwelling;''
which agrees very well with the great city, the seat of the beast. Even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice;
the sacrifice of the mass, to do which the idolaters go to their high places, their temples, and to their high altars, and especially in the great city.

Isaiah 57:7 In-Context

5 You go into heat among the oak trees, under every spreading tree. You kill the children in the valleys under the cracks in the rocks.
6 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?
7 You set up your bed on a high, lofty mountain; you also went up there to offer sacrifices.
8 Behind door and doorpost you set up your [lewd] memorial; then, far from me, you uncovered your bed, climbed up on it and opened it wide, made an agreement with some of them, whose bed you loved when you saw their hand beckoning.
9 You went to the king with scented oil; you added to your perfumes; you sent your envoys far away, even down to Sh'ol.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.