King James Version

What Does Isaiah 57:6 Mean?

Isaiah 57:6 in the King James Version says “Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offe...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 57 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Among 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?”

Isaiah 57:6 · KJV

Comfort

Context

4

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,

5

Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? with: or, among the oaks

6

Among 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?

7

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

8

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. made: or, hewed it for thyself larger than theirs where: or, thou providedst room

Read Isaiah 57 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The "smooth stones" (chalaqei-nachal) likely refers to sacred stones used in pagan worship, possibly phallic symbols associated with fertility cults. The wordplay on chalaq (smooth/portion) is intentional—these stones are their "portion" (chelqech) and "lot" (goral), mocking Israel's true inheritance as God's portion (Deuteronomy 32:9, Psalm 16:5). Drink offerings and meat offerings were elements of legitimate Yahweh worship (Leviticus 23:13, Numbers 15:1-10), here grotesquely perverted to honor idols. The final rhetorical question, "Should I receive comfort in these?" reveals divine pathos—God expresses wounded grief over His people's betrayal. The Hebrew niccham means "to be comforted" or "to relent." God asks whether He should simply accept this betrayal and withhold judgment. Reformed theology recognizes both God's immutability and His covenantal grief over sin, distinguishing anthropopathic language from any suggestion of divine changeability.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Stone worship was widespread in ancient Near Eastern religions, with sacred standing stones (masseboth) marking holy sites. The Canaanites used such stones to represent Baal and other deities. Streams and valleys were considered especially sacred in fertility religion because water symbolized life-giving power. The perverted use of legitimate sacrificial terminology shows how Israel syncretized Yahweh worship with pagan practices rather than maintaining covenant purity. This syncretism characterized much of Judah's history, particularly during periods when weak or wicked kings tolerated or encouraged such abominations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God grieves over sin while remaining unchangeably holy?
  2. How can legitimate religious practices become empty or even sinful when our hearts are far from God?
  3. What is our true portion and inheritance according to the New Covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
בְּחַלְּקֵי1 of 15

“Among the smooth”

H2511

smooth

נַ֣חַל2 of 15

“stones of the stream”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

חֶלְקֵ֔ךְ3 of 15

“is thy portion”

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

הֵ֥ם4 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הֵ֖ם5 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

גּוֹרָלֵ֑ךְ6 of 15

“they they are thy lot”

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

גַּם7 of 15
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לָהֶ֞ם8 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

שָׁפַ֥כְתְּ9 of 15

“even to them hast thou poured”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

נֶ֙סֶךְ֙10 of 15

“a drink offering”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

הֶעֱלִ֣ית11 of 15

“thou hast offered”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִנְחָ֔ה12 of 15

“a meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַ֥עַל13 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֵ֖לֶּה14 of 15
H428

these or those

אֶנָּחֵֽם׃15 of 15

“Should I receive comfort”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 57:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 57:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 3:9Jeremiah 7:18Habakkuk 2:19Ezekiel 20:39Jeremiah 44:17-25Jeremiah 32:29

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