Isaiah 57:4
New International Version
Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?

New Living Translation
Whom do you mock, making faces and sticking out your tongues? You children of sinners and liars!

English Standard Version
Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit,

Berean Standard Bible
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,

King James Bible
Against 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,

New King James Version
Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth And stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, Offspring of falsehood,

New American Standard Bible
“Of whom do you make fun? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue? Are you not children of rebellion, Offspring of deceit,

NASB 1995
“Against 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,

NASB 1977
“Against 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,

Legacy Standard Bible
Against whom do you jest? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, Seed of lying,

Amplified Bible
“Of whom do you make fun? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue? Are you not children of rebellion (sin), Offspring of deceit,

Christian Standard Bible
Who are you mocking? Who are you opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue at? Isn’t it you, you rebellious children, you offspring of liars,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who is it you are mocking? Who is it you are opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue at? Isn’t it you, you rebellious children, you race of liars,

American Standard Version
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and put out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,

Contemporary English Version
Who are you making fun of? Who are you sneering at? Look how your sins have made fools of you.

English Revised Version
Against 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,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whom are you making fun of? Whom are you making a face at? Whom are you sticking out your tongue at? Aren't you rebellious children, descendants of liars?

Good News Translation
Who are you making fun of? Who are you liars jeering at?

International Standard Version
Whom are you mocking? And against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of lies,

Majority Standard Bible
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,

NET Bible
At whom are you laughing? At whom are you opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue? You are the children of rebels, the offspring of liars,

New Heart English Bible
Against whom are you mocking? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren't you children of rebellion, offspring of liars,

Webster's Bible Translation
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and thrust out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,

World English Bible
Whom do you mock? Against whom do you make a wide mouth and stick out your tongue? Aren’t you children of disobedience and offspring of falsehood,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you enlarge the mouth "" [And] prolong the tongue? Are you not children of transgression? A false seed?

Young's Literal Translation
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? Against whom enlarge ye the mouth? Prolong ye the tongue? Are not ye children of transgression? a false seed?

Smith's Literal Translation
Against whom will ye deride? against whom will ye make broad the mouth, will ye thrust out the tongue? are ye not children of transgressing and a seed of falsehood?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Upon whom have you jested? upon whom have you opened your mouth wide, and put out your tongue? are not you wicked children, a false seed,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whom are you mocking? Against whom have you opened your mouth wide and wagged your tongue? Are you not sons of wickedness, a lying offspring,

New American Bible
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—

New Revised Standard Version
Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and draw out the tongue? Are you not children of iniquity, an offspring of falsehood,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For what have you lusted and for what have you opened your mouth and you lengthened your tongue? Behold, you are a child of the Evil One and the seed of The Liar
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Against 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,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Wherein have ye been rioting? and against whom have ye opened your mouth, and against whom have ye loosed your tongue? are ye not children of perdition? a lawless seed?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Condemns Idolatry
3“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! 4 Whom are you mocking? At whom do you snarl and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, 5who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?…

Cross References
Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 3:13-14
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

James 3:8-10
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. / With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. / Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

2 Peter 2:10-12
Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. / Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord. / These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.

Jude 1:10
These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Proverbs 19:29
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Psalm 73:8-9
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. / They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.

Psalm 35:16
Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.

Psalm 22:7
All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:


Treasury of Scripture

Against whom do you sport yourselves? against whom make you a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are you not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.

against

Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Isaiah 37:23,29
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel…

Exodus 9:17
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

sport

Judges 16:25-27
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars…

Psalm 69:12
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

Matthew 27:29,39-44
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! …

make

Psalm 35:21
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

draw

Joshua 10:21
And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Job 16:9,10
He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me…

Psalm 22:7,13,17
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, …

are ye

Isaiah 1:4
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Isaiah 30:1,9
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: …

Ezekiel 2:4
For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

Jump to Previous
Brood Children Deceit Disobedience Draw Enlarge False. Falsehood Making Mocking Mouth Offspring Open Prolong Rebellion Rebels Seed Sneer Sport Stick Thrust Tongue Transgression Uncontrolled Wide Yourselves
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Brood Children Deceit Disobedience Draw Enlarge False. Falsehood Making Mocking Mouth Offspring Open Prolong Rebellion Rebels Seed Sneer Sport Stick Thrust Tongue Transgression Uncontrolled Wide Yourselves
Isaiah 57
1. The blessed death of the righteous
3. God reproves the People for their idolatry
13. He gives promises of mercy to the penitent














Whom are you mocking?
This phrase challenges the audience to consider the object of their derision. In the Hebrew context, the word for "mocking" (לַעֲגָה, la'agah) implies scorn and ridicule. Historically, the Israelites often fell into the trap of mocking God's prophets and commandments, reflecting a heart hardened against divine instruction. This rhetorical question serves as a mirror, forcing the people to confront their disrespect towards God and His messengers.

At whom do you sneer
The act of sneering (הַפְרִיעָה, hafri'ah) is a physical manifestation of contempt. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, facial expressions were powerful communicators of one's inner attitude. This phrase suggests a deep-seated rebellion against authority, particularly divine authority. The sneer is not just against fellow humans but ultimately against God Himself, highlighting the spiritual blindness and arrogance of the people.

and stick out your tongue?
Sticking out the tongue (תַּאֲרִיכוּן לָשׁוֹן, ta'arikhun lashon) is an expression of mockery and disrespect. In biblical times, such gestures were considered highly offensive and indicative of a rebellious spirit. This behavior underscores the people's immaturity and their refusal to submit to God's righteous standards. It is a vivid depiction of their insolence and lack of reverence.

Are you not children of transgression
The term "children of transgression" (בְּנֵי פֶּשַׁע, bene pesha) identifies the people as descendants of rebellion. In Hebrew, "transgression" refers to a willful deviation from God's law. This phrase implies that their actions are not isolated incidents but part of a generational pattern of disobedience. It calls the people to recognize their inherited sinfulness and the need for repentance and transformation.

the offspring of deceit?
"Offspring of deceit" (זֶרַע שֶׁקֶר, zera sheker) highlights the lineage of falsehood and betrayal. Deceit in the biblical sense often involves idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. This phrase suggests that the people's identity is rooted in lies and deception, contrasting sharply with the truth and faithfulness that God desires. It serves as a call to self-examination and a return to integrity and truthfulness in their relationship with God.

(4) Against whom do ye sport yourselves?--The question, as in Isaiah 37:23, is one of indignant scorn, the implied answer being that the mockers were deriding the servants of Jehovah. (Comp. Wisdom 2), and, in so doing, mocking Jehovah himself. The "wide mouth," and the "drawn-out tongue," are the natural symbols of derision.

Verse 4. - Against whom do ye sport yourselves? The idolatrous Israelites here addressed, no doubt, made a mock of the few righteous who were still living among them, and vexed their souls, as his fellow-towns-men did the soul of "just Lot" (2 Peter 2:7). They "made wide the mouth" at them, and "drew out the tongue" in derision (comp. Psalm 22:7; Psalm 35:21). The prophet asks, "Against whom do ye do this? Is it not rather against God, whose servants these men are, than against them?" Are ye not children of transgression? rather, are ye not, yourselves, children of apostasy? and therefore more truly objects of scorn than they? A seed of falsehood. Idols were viewed by Isaiah as "lies" (Isaiah 45:20; cf. Romans 1:25; Revelation 22:15). Idolaters were therefore "a seed of falsehood" - men who put their trust in a lie.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whom
מִי֙ (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

are you mocking?
תִּתְעַנָּ֔גוּ (tiṯ·‘an·nā·ḡū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6026: To be soft, pliable, effeminate, luxurious

At
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

whom
מִ֛י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

do you snarl
תַּרְחִ֥יבוּ (tar·ḥî·ḇū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7337: To be or grow wide or large

and stick out
תַּאֲרִ֣יכוּ (ta·’ă·rî·ḵū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 748: To be, long

your tongue?
לָשׁ֑וֹן (lā·šō·wn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

Are you
אַתֶּ֥ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

not
הֲלֽוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

children
יִלְדֵי־ (yil·ḏê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

of transgression,
פֶ֖שַׁע (p̄e·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

offspring
זֶ֥רַע (ze·ra‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

of deceit,
שָֽׁקֶר׃ (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 57:4 Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 57:3
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