And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
Read it in contextGod's Condemnation of Idolatry and Promise of Peace for the Humble
Start reading at Isaiah 57:1 (Isaiah 57:1 to Isaiah 57:21).
The entire chapter 57 forms a coherent literary unit. It begins by contrasting the righteous and the wicked, details the extensive idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness of the wicked, and concludes with God's promise of healing and peace for the humble and contrite, while reiterating that there is no peace for the wicked.
57:1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
57:2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
57:3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
57:4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
57:5Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
57:6Among 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?
57:7Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
57:8Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.
57:9And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.
57:10Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
57:11And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
57:12I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
57:13When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
57:14And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
57:16For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
57:17For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
57:18I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
57:19I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
57:20But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
57:21There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 56:1–59:21): The people who seek the LORD, including strangers and eunuchs, are addressed alongside Israel's leaders and those rebuked for injustice and empty religious practice. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God confronting His people for their idolatry, spiritual unfaithfulness, and misplaced fear of others rather than Him. He questions their motives for lying and forgetting Him, highlighting His long-suffering patience which they have disregarded.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His awareness of their hidden sins and their lack of reverence for Him. He exposes their fear of man and their willingness to lie, contrasting it with His own long-held peace and silence, which they misinterpreted as indifference rather than an opportunity for repentance. He reveals that their actions stem from not remembering Him or laying His truth to heart.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic discourse, characterized by direct address, rhetorical questions, and strong condemnation of sin. It uses vivid imagery to describe the people's idolatry and spiritual adultery, leading into a declaration of God's judgment and eventual promise of peace for the humble.
When
When was it written? The book of Isaiah was written between approximately 700 and 680 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The prophetic message addresses the spiritual condition and practices of the people of Judah and Jerusalem during Isaiah's ministry, which occurred between approximately 740 and 680 B.C. The events described are contemporary to the prophet's time, warning of impending judgment and offering hope. book background
Where
Where did it happen? The events described are the spiritual practices and moral failures of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, including their idolatry under green trees, on high mountains, and behind their doors. book background
Where was the author located? Isaiah the prophet was located in Jerusalem when he wrote this prophecy. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in God's Condemnation of Idolatry and Promise of Peace for the Humble (Isaiah 57:1 to Isaiah 57:21).
Start reading at Isaiah 57:1. The entire chapter 57 forms a coherent literary unit. It begins by contrasting the righteous and the wicked, details the extensive idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness of the wicked, and concludes with God's promise of healing and peace for the humble and contrite, while reiterating that there is no peace for the wicked.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Isaiah 57:11 is part of a larger prophetic indictment against the unfaithful people of Judah. It follows a detailed description of their idolatry and spiritual adultery (Isaiah 57:3-10), serving as God's direct challenge to their misplaced fears and their forgetfulness of Him. This verse sets the stage for God's declaration of judgment on their works (Isaiah 57:12) and His subsequent promise of peace and healing for the humble and contrite (Isaiah 57:13-19), contrasting with the lack of peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:20-21). stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? God's long-suffering patience, even in the face of Israel's profound unfaithfulness and idolatry, foreshadows the ultimate patience and grace demonstrated in Jesus Christ. While God's 'holding His peace' might have been misinterpreted by the people, Christ's coming reveals God's active love and redemptive plan. Through Christ, God offers true peace to those who turn from their misplaced fears and trust in Him, a peace that the idols and worldly alliances could never provide. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage calls believers today to examine whom or what they truly fear. Misplaced fear of man, circumstances, or worldly powers can lead to spiritual compromise, 'lying' by denying God's truth, and forgetting His faithfulness. We are to remember God's constant presence and power, laying His word to heart, and trusting in Him alone for security and peace, rather than seeking it in temporary or ungodly ways. God's patience should lead us to repentance, not presumption. interpretation
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words. Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 57
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.