Isaiah 57:8
New International Version
Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies.

New Living Translation
You have put pagan symbols on your doorposts and behind your doors. You have left me and climbed into bed with these detestable gods. You have committed yourselves to them. You love to look at their naked bodies.

English Standard Version
Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your memorial; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness.

Berean Standard Bible
Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.

King James Bible
Behind 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.

New King James Version
Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made a covenant with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw their nudity.

New American Standard Bible
“Behind 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 at their manhood.

NASB 1995
“Behind 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.

NASB 1977
“And behind 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behind the door and the doorpost You have set up your memorial; Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself, And have gone up and made your bed wide, And you have cut a covenant for yourself with them; You have loved their bed; You have looked on their manhood.

Amplified Bible
“Behind the door and the doorpost You have set up your [pagan] symbol; Indeed, far removed from Me, you have uncovered yourself, And have gone up and made your bed wide. And you have made a [new] agreement for yourself with the adulterers, You have loved their bed, You have looked [with passion] on their manhood.

Christian Standard Bible
You have set up your memorial behind the door and doorpost. For away from me, you stripped, went up, and made your bed wide, and you have made a bargain for yourself with them. You have loved their bed; you have gazed on their genitals.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have set up your memorial behind the door and doorpost. For away from Me, you stripped, went up, and made your bed wide, and you have made a bargain for yourself with them. You have loved their bed; you have gazed on their genitals.

American Standard Version
And behind the doors and the posts hast thou set up thy memorial: for thou hast uncovered 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.

Contemporary English Version
Even in your homes you have placed pagan symbols all around your huge beds. Yes, you have rejected me, sold yourselves to your lovers, and gone to bed with them.

English Revised Version
And behind the doors and the posts hast thou set up thy memorial: 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You've set up your idols beside doors and doorposts. You've uncovered yourself to the idols. You've distanced yourself from me. You've made your bed with them. You've made a deal with those you have pleasure with in bed. You've seen them naked.

Good News Translation
You set up your obscene idols just inside your front doors. You forsake me; you take off your clothes and climb in your large beds with your lovers, whom you pay to sleep with you. And there you satisfy your lust.

International Standard Version
Behind the doors and the doorposts you have set up your pagan sign." For in deserting me you have uncovered your bed— you have climbed up into it and have opened it wide. And you have made a pact for yourself with them; you have loved their bed, you have looked on their private parts.

Majority Standard Bible
Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.

NET Bible
Behind the door and doorpost you put your symbols. Indeed, you depart from me and go up and invite them into bed with you. You purchase favors from them, you love their bed, and gaze longingly on their genitals.

New Heart English Bible
Behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered to someone besides me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast uncovered thyself to another than me, and hast gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.

World English Bible
You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts, for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me, and have gone up. You have enlarged your bed and made you a covenant with them. You loved what you saw on their bed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And behind the door, and the post, "" You have set up your memorial, "" For you have removed from Me, and go up, "" You have enlarged your bed, "" And cut [a covenant] with them, "" You have loved their bed, the station you saw,

Young's Literal Translation
And behind the door, and the post, Thou hast set up thy memorial, For from Me thou hast removed, and goest up, Thou hast enlarged thy couch, And dost covenant for thyself among them, Thou hast loved their couch, the station thou sawest,

Smith's Literal Translation
Behind the doors and the door-post thou didst set thy memorial: for from me thou didst migrate, and thou wilt go up; thou didst make broad thy bed, and thou wilt cut out to thee from them; thou didst love their bed; thou didst look upon the hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behind the door, and behind the post thou best set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself near me, and hast received an adulterer: thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made a covenant with them: thou hast loved their bed with open hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behind the door, and beyond the post, you have set up your memorial. For you uncovered yourself next to me, and you received an adulterer. You widened your bed, and you formed a pact with them. You loved their bed with an open hand.

New American Bible
Behind the door and the doorpost you set up your symbol. Yes, deserting me, you carried up your bedding; and spread it wide. You entered an agreement with them, you loved their couch, you gazed upon nakedness.

New Revised Standard Version
Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your symbol; for, in deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a bargain for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have gazed on their nakedness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behind the doors also and on the posts you have inscribed your remembrance; for you are carried away from me, and you are gone up, and you have enlarged your bed, and you have become one of them; you have loved their bed where you saw their nakedness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behind the doors on the door posts you inscribed your memorial, because from my presence you have exposed yourself, and you have gone up and you enlarged your bed, and you are of them and you have loved their beds and the place you saw
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And behind the doors and the posts Hast thou set up thy symbol; For thou hast uncovered, and art gone up from Me, Thou hast enlarged thy bed, And chosen thee of them Whose bed thou lovedst, Whose hand thou sawest.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and behind the posts of thy door thou didst place thy memorials. Didst thou think that if thou shouldest depart from me, thou wouldest gain? thou hast loved those that lay with thee;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Condemns Idolatry
7On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. 8Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness. 9You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 3:2
“Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness.

Ezekiel 23:17
Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust.

Hosea 2:2
Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.

Jeremiah 2:20
“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.

Ezekiel 16:25
At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.

Hosea 4:12-14
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Jeremiah 3:6
Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.

Ezekiel 23:7
She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted.

Hosea 5:3
I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

Ezekiel 16:32
You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Revelation 17:1-2
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”

1 Corinthians 6:15-16
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! / Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

Matthew 12:39
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

Behind the doors also and the posts have you set up your remembrance: for you have discovered yourself to another than me, and are gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them; you loved their bed where you saw it.

the doors

Ezekiel 8:8-12
Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door…

Ezekiel 23:14,41
And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion, …

for

Ezekiel 16:32
But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!

made thee a covenant with them.

Ezekiel 16:25-28
Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms…

Ezekiel 23:2-20
Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother: …

where thou sawest it.

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Agreement Bed Chosen Covenant Deserting Discovered Door Doorpost Doorposts Doors Enlarged Far Forsaking Hand Indeed Loved Memorial Nakedness Pagan Posts Remembrance Sign Symbol Symbols Thyself Uncovered Wide
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Agreement Bed Chosen Covenant Deserting Discovered Door Doorpost Doorposts Doors Enlarged Far Forsaking Hand Indeed Loved Memorial Nakedness Pagan Posts Remembrance Sign Symbol Symbols Thyself Uncovered Wide
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














Behind your doors and doorposts
This phrase evokes the imagery of secrecy and hidden actions. In ancient Israelite culture, the doorposts were significant as they were marked with the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:7) and inscribed with the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:9). Here, however, the doorposts are associated with idolatry and unfaithfulness. The Hebrew word for "doorposts" (מְזוּזוֹת, mezuzot) reminds us of the covenantal faithfulness expected of God's people, contrasting with their current betrayal.

you have set up your memorials
The term "memorials" (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron) typically refers to something that serves as a reminder or a record. In this context, it suggests the establishment of pagan symbols or idols within the home, a direct violation of the commandment against idolatry (Exodus 20:3-4). This act signifies a deliberate choice to remember and honor false gods instead of the one true God.

forsaking Me
The Hebrew root for "forsaking" (עָזַב, azav) implies abandonment or leaving behind. This is a poignant reminder of Israel's covenantal relationship with God, which they have neglected. The forsaking of God is not just a passive act but an active turning away, highlighting the gravity of their spiritual adultery.

you uncovered your bed
The imagery of uncovering a bed is symbolic of infidelity and promiscuity. In the prophetic literature, such language often represents Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry (Ezekiel 23:17). The bed, a place meant for intimacy and covenantal love, becomes a metaphor for betrayal and spiritual adultery.

you climbed into it and opened it wide
This phrase suggests a willful and eager participation in idolatrous practices. The act of climbing into the bed and opening it wide indicates a readiness to embrace and indulge in sin. It reflects a heart that is not only unfaithful but also brazen in its pursuit of other gods.

you have made a pact with those whose beds you love
The word "pact" (כָּרַת, karat) is often used in the context of making covenants. Here, it underscores the seriousness of Israel's alliances with pagan nations and their gods. The phrase "whose beds you love" further emphasizes the depth of their infidelity, as they have formed intimate and binding relationships with those who lead them away from God.

and you beheld their nakedness
In biblical terms, to "behold nakedness" (גִּלָּה עֶרְוָה, galah ervah) is to engage in or witness something shameful or sinful. This phrase captures the exposure and vulnerability that comes with sin, as well as the loss of innocence and purity. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and embracing idolatry.

(8) Hast thou set up thy remembrance . . .--The noun has been commonly referred to the Mesusah, or memorial text, "Jehovah is our God; Jehovah is one," which was to be written on the door-posts of each house (Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20); and the prophet is supposed to point to the fact that this had been written behind the door, as showing that Israel had been ashamed to confess her creed. The explanation seems tenable, but it is possible that "remembrance" may stand for some idolatrous symbol or inscription which had been substituted for the true confession.

Thou hast discovered thyself.--The figure of the unfaithful wife is carried into its details almost with Ezekiel's boldness.

Made thee a covenant with them . . .--The noun, as the italics show, is implied in the verb. The faithless wife forsook the covenant of her youth with her husband, and made a fresh compact with the adulterers.

Where thou sawest it.--And thou sawest the place, the words being used euphemistically for the obscene image of a Chemosh-liko idol.

Verse 8. - Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance. It has been usual to explain this of a removal from its proper place into an obscure position of the formulae which the Israelites were commanded in the Law to write on their doorposts and on their gates (Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20). But, in the first place, there is no evidence that anciently these passages were understood literally, or that such inscriptions were ever set up; and secondly, as Mr. Cheyne remarks, they would have been more, rather than less, conspicuous in a new place. Probably, therefore, the "memorial" (zikkaron) of this place is some idolatrous symbol or emblem newly adopted by the Jews, and made use of as a sort of talisman. Many commentators think that it was of a phallic character (see Ezekiel 16:17). Discovered thyself; rather, uncovered thyself. Thou hast enlarged thy bed; i.e. multiplied thy idolatries (comp. 2 Kings 16:3, 4, 10; 2 Kings 21:3-7). It is a feature of the idolatry of the time, that it was a mixture adopted from many quarters. It included Baal and Ashtoreth-worship from Phoenicia, Moloch-worship from Moab and Ammos, worship of the Queen of Heaven from Syria, high-place worship from the Canaanites, and stone-worship from their own remote Mesopotamian ancestors. And made thee a covenant with them; i.e. "a bargain for wages," that aid and protection should be rendered in return for worship and sacrifice. Where thou sawest it. The original is very obscure, but can scarcely have this meaning. It is certainly a distinct clause, and may perhaps be best translated, "thou sawest indecency."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Behind
וְאַחַ֤ר (wə·’a·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the door
הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙ (had·de·leṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

and doorpost
וְהַמְּזוּזָ֔ה (wə·ham·mə·zū·zāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4201: A doorpost, gatepost

you have set up
שַׂ֖מְתְּ (śamt)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

your memorial.
זִכְרוֹנֵ֑ךְ (ziḵ·rō·w·nêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2146: Memorial, remembrance

Forsaking Me,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you uncovered
גִּלִּ֣ית (gil·lîṯ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

your bed;
מִשְׁכָּבֵךְ֙ (miš·kā·ḇêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 4904: Place of lying, a couch, act of lying

you climbed up
וַֽתַּעֲלִ֗י (wat·ta·‘ă·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and opened it wide.
הִרְחַ֤בְתְּ (hir·ḥaḇt)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 7337: To be or grow wide or large

And you have made a pact
וַתִּכְרָת־ (wat·tiḵ·rāṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

with those
לָ֣ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

whose bed
מִשְׁכָּבָ֖ם (miš·kā·ḇām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4904: Place of lying, a couch, act of lying

you have loved;
אָהַ֥בְתְּ (’ā·haḇt)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

you have gazed
חָזִֽית׃ (ḥā·zîṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 2372: To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of

upon their nakedness.
יָ֥ד (yāḏ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 57:8 Behind the doors and the posts have (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 57:7
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