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ISAIAH 57

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

1. Obviously the context of Israel's sin continues from Isaiah 56.
   
   
2. This describes the OT theological concept of "the two ways"; one of life and peace and the other of self, sin, and ruin (cf. Deut. 30:15,19; Psalm 1).
   
   
3. H. C. Leupold makes the interesting comment (p. 271) that as Isaiah 56 ended on faithless leaders, Isaiah 57 deals with faithless people.
   
   
4. The setting of the idolatry is not Mesopotamia but Canaan's fertility cults (i.e. Ba'al, Asherah, Molech). This reached its apex under King Manasseh.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH

SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ISAIAH 57:1-10
¹"The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart;
And devout men are taken away, while no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from evil,
²He enters into peace;
They rest in their beds,
Each one who walked in his upright way.
³But come here, you sons of a sorceress,
Offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute.
⁴Against whom do you jest?
Against whom do you open wide your mouth
And stick out your tongue?
Are you not children of rebellion,
Offspring of deceit,
⁵Who inflame yourselves among the oaks,
Under every luxuriant tree,
Who slaughter the children in the ravines,
Under the clefts of the crags?
⁶Among the smooth stones of the ravine
Is your portion, they are your lot;
Even to them you have poured out a drink offering,
You have made a grain offering.
Shall I relent concerning these things?
⁷Upon a high and lofty mountain
You have made your bed.
You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
⁸Behind the door and the doorpost
You have set up your sign;
Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself,
And have gone up and made your bed wide.
And you have made an agreement for yourself with them,
You have loved their bed,
You have looked on their manhood.
⁹You have journeyed to the king with oil
And increased your perfumes;
You have sent your envoys a great distance
And made them go down to Sheol.
¹⁰You were tired out by the length of your road,
Yet you did not say, 'It is hopeless.'
You found renewed strength,
Therefore you did not faint."

57:1 Evil triumphs when the righteous are persecuted and murdered, and no one seems to care!

1. no man takes it to heart
2. no one understands

SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS

▣ "is taken away from evil" As the wicked seek self and sin, the righteous are delivered from the terrible influence of the Fall (cf. Genesis 3; 6:5,11-12).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND

▣ The last line of v. 1 (NASB) seems in conflict with the meaning of the first two lines.

1. The JPSOA adjusts this by translating, "That because of evil the righteous are taken away."
2. The TEV has "But when they die, no calamity can hurt them."
3. The NJB has "Yes, because of the evil times the upright is taken off."
4. The REB has "The righteous are swept away by the onset of evil."

However, v. 2 implies that it is YHWH who takes them away to a place of blessing. Death for faithful followers is a reunion, not a separation (i.e. 2 Cor. 5:6,8; Heb. 11:13-16).

57:2 This verse describes the spiritual condition of the righteous man.

1. enters into peace (because of Isa. 57:1 this must be mental; see SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE [OT])
2. rest in their beds (BDB 1012). There is a word play on this word used here of the righteous, but in Isa. 57:7,8, of the wicked (i.e. "they rest in their beds").
   1. bed for sleep (JPSOA, NRSV, NJB)
   2. bed for sex (cf. vv. 7,8)
   3. the grave (NET, REB, TEV, LXX)
3. walked in his upright way (i.e. lifestyle faithfulness; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY)

57:3-4 These verses describe the wicked ones mentioned in Isa. 57:1. They are characterized as

1. sons of a sorcerer (BDB 778 II, cf. Isa. 2:6; Jer. 27:9; Micah 5:12; see SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC, #10)
2. offspring of an adulterer (BDB 610)
3. offspring of a prostitute (BDB 275)
   YHWH calls them to approach (Qal IMPERATIVE, BDB 897, KB 1132) His presence for judgment.
4. offspring of deceit (BDB 833)
   1. against whom do you jest
   2. against whom do you open wide your mouth
   3. against whom do you stick out your tongue (these described their accusations against the righteous)
5. children of rebellion (BDB 1055)

57:5-6 The idolatry is described as

1. inflame yourself among the oaks (Niphal PARTICIPLE, BDB 328, KB 328). This refers to the fertility worship of Ba'al and Asherah, i.e. Deut. 12:2; 1 Kgs. 14:23; 2 Kgs. 17:10; Jer. 2:20; 23-28; 31:6-13; Ezek. 6:13; 20:28; Hosea 4:13)
2. slaughter the children (Qal PARTICIPLE, BDB 1006, KB 1458, this refers to the worship of Molech; see SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH)
3. pour out a libation (Qal PERFECT, BB 1049, KB 1629)
4. make a grain offering (Hiphil PERFECT, BDB 748, KB 828)

SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

57:6a The reference to which this line relates is uncertain.

1. the cultic trees of Asherah worship, v. 5a,b
2. the place of sacrificing children (i.e. valley of Hinnom), v. 5c
3. associated with the "clefts of the crags," v. 5d
4. another place of fertility worship (i.e. sacrifice), v. 7c
   1. drink offerings, v. 6c
   2. grain offerings, v. 6d
5. the promiscuity of v. 7a,b
6. Rotherham's Emphasized Bible, p. 701, suggests the meaning is "in open places in the valley," these fertility worshipers expose themselves (i.e. no modesty or sense of morality).

The Israelites' fertility worship, even if done in YHWH's name (i.e. the golden calves at Dan and Bethel), was unacceptable! God had no choice but to judge His people in order to restore proper worship. This is possibly a rhetorical question (see NET Bible, p. 1274, #13)

57:7 This refers to the Ba'al and Asherah altars which were placed on the tops of hills (cf. Deut. 12:2; 2 Kgs. 17:10; Jer. 3:6; 17:2; Hosea 4:13). The phrase "made their bed" refers to the ritual sexual activities offerred for the fertility of the land, herds, and human population (cf. Isa. 57:8b-d).

SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN SEXUALITY

57:8 The first two lines are ambiguous. This could refer to an idolatrous image set up

1. in their homes
2. on their village walls
3. in the temple itself (cf. Ezekiel 8-10)
4. in secret, v. 6

One wonders if this is somehow related to political/military alliances with pagan nations who demanded the worship of foreign gods (cf. Isa. 57:8d-e, 9).

The MT has the Piel form of the VERB (BDB 162, KB 191), but the NET Bible, p. 1274, #16, suggests the Qal meaning of "depart" instead of the Piel "uncover."

The first relates to the first phrase of the line, "far removed from Me"; the second option, "depart," relates to the rest of v. 8.

It seems to me option #2 fits the context best.

The MT has "cut" (BDB 503, #4; KB 500, Qal IMPERFECT with waw), which often refers to "cutting a covenant" (cf. Gen. 26:28; 31:44; 1 Sam. 11:1; Ps. 83:5; Isa. 55:3; 61:8; Hosea 12:1), but here, it does not seem to fit. The NET Bible assumes an emendation.

1. ותכות ‒ MT, "to cut"
2. וכרית ‒ NET, "you purchase"

Context, context, context must determine meaning.

The problem is the word יד (BDB 388, KB 386), which is literally "hand."

1. In Ugaritic ידד means "love" or "genitals."
2. In Arabic ידו means "penis" (cf. NIDOTTE, vol 2, p. 56).
3. It could refer to "sexual strength" here in a fertility worship sense.

There are several euphemisms used by Hebrew authors to refer to the sex organs (another example is "feet," BDB 919, cf. Exod. 4:25; Deut. 28:57; Jdg. 3:24; Ruth 3:8; 1 Sam. 24:3; Ezek. 16:25).

57:9-10 This seems to refer to the political gifts to assure their safety against foreign invasion.

57:9a "king" This could be understood as referring to the fertility god Molech (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH), whose name has the same consonants as "king" (mlk) in Hebrew. The UBS Text Project, p. 150, gives "king" a B rating (some doubt).

This term (BDB 851 II) usually refers to ambassador type messengers (cf. Isa. 18:2; Jer. 49:14), but sometimes, a personal messenger (i.e. Prov. 13:17; 25:13). But, in this context, there are so many unusual words that seem to relate to worship of dead family members. Therefore, it may relate to necromancers (i.e. the witch of Endor, 1 Sam. 28:3-7). The JPSOA translates this as "and you have sent your envoys afar, even down to the netherworld."

Molech was the god of the netherworld.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH

▣ "Sheol" The OT holding place of the dead.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?, I. B.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ISAIAH 57:11-13
¹¹"Of whom were you worried and fearful
When you lied, and did not remember Me
Nor give Me a thought?
Was I not silent even for a long time
So you do not fear Me?
¹²I will declare your righteousness and your deeds,
But they will not profit you.
¹³When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you.
But the wind will carry all of them up,
And a breath will take them away.
But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land
And will possess My holy mountain."

57:11-13 This strophe starts with a series of questions from YHWH to His faithless covenant people. The tragedy was that they were "religious" (cf. Isa. 57:12,13a) but had

1. not remembered (Qal PERFECT, BDB 269, KB 269, negated) Him
2. nor give Me a thought (lit. "lay it to heart of you," Qal PERFECT, BDB 962, KB 1321, negated)

The reasons they had neglected YHWH was His silence (Isa. 57:11d). This may refer to true prophets who were not sent or at least not heard.

The idols are "vanity" and "emptiness." The wind will carry them away and along with them, those who trust in them.

The JPSOA mentions an emendation that results in "and shut my eyes" (p. 898), which is followed by REB and NAB. The same Hebrew consonants ומעלם can be translated "and from eternity" or "and being hidden" (UBS Text Project, p. 151; it refers to "and from eternity").

The immediate context does not make sense using "eternity." For a period of time (i.e. 70 years), YHWH refused to help His covenant people because of their covenant disobedience and idolatry. He hid His face from them and did not respond to their prayers. It may have seemed to them to be an eternity!

The MT has a NOUN (BDB 868) that occurs only here. It is formed from the VERB (BDB 867) "to gather" or "to assemble." The translations above interpret this in two ways.

1. Israel's idols (JPSOA)
2. fellow worshipers

In context #1 fits best.

57:13d-e But those few faithful ones who trust in YHWH and take "refuge" (Qal PARTICIPLE, BDB 340, KB 337) in Him will be preserved and rewarded by the giving of

1. the Promised Land
2. YHWH's presence (i.e. the temple)

SPECIAL TOPIC: REMNANT (three senses)

SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE (OT)

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT:57:14-21
¹⁴And it will be said,
"Build up, build up, prepare the way,
Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people."
¹⁵For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
"I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
¹⁶For I will not contend forever,
Nor will I always be angry;
For the spirit would grow faint before Me,
And the breath of those whom I have made.
¹⁷Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him;
I hid My face and was angry,
And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart.
¹⁸I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,
¹⁹Creating the praise of the lips.
Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,"
Says the Lord, "and I will heal him."
²⁰But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
²¹"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

57:14 There is a series of IMPERATIVES whereby YHWH commands that all necessary preparations be made for His faithful ones to return from exile (cf. Isa. 40:3-4; 62:10).

1. build up (twice) ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE, BDB 699, KB 757
2. prepare the way ‒ Piel IMPERATIVE, BDB 815, KB 937
3. remove every obstacle ‒ Hiphil IMPERATIVE, BDB 926, KB 1202

57:15 Notice the titles and characterizations of God.

1. the high One ‒ Qal PARTICIPLE, BDB 926, KB 1202 (same VERB used in Isa. 57:14 translated "remove," i.e. lift up)
2. the exalted One ‒ Niphal PARTICIPLE, BDB 669, KB 724 (same VERB used in Isa. 57:7,13, but in different senses)
3. who lives forever ‒ Qal PARTICIPLE, BDB 1014, KB 1496, (lit. "who inhabits eternity"). The NET Bible [p. 1275] thinks in this context it should be understood as "the One who rules forever." This may be true because of Exod. 15:18; Ps. 10:16.
4. whose name is Holy (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY)
5. dwells on a high and holy place ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 1014, KB 1496 (in contrast to the fertility gods)
6. with a contrite (BDB 194 I) and lowly (BDB 1050) spirit (BDB 924)
7. to revive the heart of the contrite ‒ Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, BDB 310, KB 309, used twice
   1. of YHWH, #6
   2. of His faithful

Notice in the great covenant God wants to dwell with believing, faithful followers (v. 15d).

57:16a-b This continues a description of YHWH by YHWH.

1. "I will not contend forever" ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 936, KB 1224, cf. Gen. 6:3
2. "neither will I always be angry" ‒ Qal IMPERFECT, BDB 893, KB 1124, cf. Ps. 79:5; 85:5; 103:9; Micah 7:18-19

This should not be interpreted as a period of time set by God after which His grace ceases, but the reality that when humans ignore and violate His word and will, there is a terrible consequence of hardening. The human heart becomes unable to hear and respond!

It is interesting that the OT contrasts the human emotions of love and anger when describing God.

1. love is long lasting and sure ‒ Deut. 5:10; 7:9; Ps. 30:5; Isa. 54:7-8; Jer. 31:3
2. anger is short lived ‒ Deut. 5:9; Ps. 30:5; Isa. 26:20; 54:7-8; 57:16-19

57:16c-d YHWH reveals the reasons why He does not remain angry (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN [anthropomorphism]). This is very similar to Ps. 103:8-14.

1. for the spirit (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE) would grow faint before Me
2. the breath would grow faint

Notice the parallelism of "spirit" (BDB 924) and "breath" (BDB 675) as in Isa. 42:5. The frail physical and now psychological condition of fallen mankind cannot endure the silence (Isa. 57:11,17) and anger (Isa. 57:16,17) of their Creator and Redeemer!

SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT

57:17 YHWH's judgment is analogous to a parent's punishment (cf. Hosea 11; Heb. 12:5-13). He does it so His children will learn and turn from it, but sadly some will not, cannot (Isa. 57:17c; 1:3,4).

57:18-21 There is an obvious contrast between the way YHWH will treat the contrite and the rebellious.

1. contrite ‒ Isa. 57:15-16,18-19
2. rebellious ‒ Isa. 57:17,20-21

57:18-19 Notice what YHWH will do for the contrite and lowly of spirit (Isa. 57:15), those both near and far (Isa. 57:19).

1. revive, Isa. 57:15 ‒ Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 310, KB 309)
2. I will not contend, Isa. 57:16 ‒ Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 936, KB 1224)
3. I will not always be angry, Isa. 57:16 ‒ Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 893, KB 1124)
4. I will heal, Isa. 57:18 ‒ Qal IMPERFECT with waw (BDB 950, KB 1272, cf. Isa. 19:22; 30:26; 53:5; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING)
5. I will lead, Isa. 57:18 ‒ Hiphil IMPERFECT (BDB 634, KB 685)
6. I will restore comfort, Isa. 57:18 ‒ Piel IMPERFECT with waw (BDB 1022, KB 1532)
7. I will create their praise of peace, Isa. 57:19 Qal PARTICIPLE (BDB 135, KB 153)
8. I will heal them, Isa. 57:19 Qal IMPERFECT with waw (BDB 950, KB 1272)

57:19a "creating the praise of the lips" Literally, "the fruit of the lips." This, and similar phrases like it (i.e. Lev. 7:12), became the Jewish community's way to speak of sacrifice when there was no temple or temple access. Modern Judaism cannot do Mosaic practice because there is no place to offer sacrifice or approach Him on feast days.

The Jewish believer, whoever it was, of the book of Hebrews uses this same sacrificial terminology in Heb. 13:15 to denote Christian worship.

57:19b In context, this refers to the faithful remnant who are in Palestine and those still in exile.

In the NT, this text relates to

1. Jewish pilgrims to Jerusalen at Passover and residents of Jerusalem ‒ Acts 2:37-42
2. all believng human beings ‒ Eph. 2:11-3:13 (esp. Eph. 2:17)

This transfer of promises to the faithful OT remnant is expanded in the NT to all human beings.

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

57:20-21 The rebellious, faithless covenant people are described as

1. the tossing sea
2. sea that cannot be quiet
3. sea that tosses up refuse
4. sea that tosses up mud
5. no peace

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