King James Version

What Does Isaiah 57:8 Mean?

Isaiah 57:8 in the King James Version says “Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than m...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 57 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 57:8 · KJV

Context

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

9

And 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. thou: or, thou respectedst

10

Thou 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. life: or, living

Read Isaiah 57 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse intensifies the adultery metaphor with shocking intimacy. "Behind the doors and posts" suggests secret, domestic idolatry—household gods and pagan symbols within private spaces (see Deuteronomy 6:9 for the ironic contrast of what should be on doorposts). The phrase "set up thy remembrance" (zikkaron) likely refers to pagan symbols that parodied the memorial tokens God commanded (Exodus 13:9, Deuteronomy 6:8-9). "Discovered thyself" uses the Hebrew gillah, a euphemism for sexual exposure, literally uncovering nakedness (Leviticus 18:6-19). "Enlarged thy bed" and "made a covenant with them" portrays Israel's insatiable appetite for foreign alliances and their accompanying false religions. The final phrase "thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it" uses the verb ahab (covenant love) for illicit passion, showing perverted affections. Reformed theology recognizes this as total depravity's manifestation: the affections, not merely actions, are corrupted. What should be loved (God) is abandoned for what should be hated (idols).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The domestic idolatry described here reflects practices evident in biblical and archaeological records. Household gods (teraphim) were common in Israelite homes despite being forbidden (Genesis 31:19, Judges 17:5, 1 Samuel 19:13). Foreign alliances, particularly with Egypt and Assyria, tempted Judah's kings to adopt their allies' religious practices as signs of political loyalty. The mezuzah, which should have contained Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:9), was apparently replaced or accompanied by pagan symbols. This private idolatry was perhaps more dangerous than public apostasy because it showed how deeply false worship had penetrated Israelite society.

Reflection Questions

  1. What private idolatries do we maintain that contradict our public profession?
  2. How does our culture's pursuit of political or social alliances tempt us to compromise truth?
  3. In what ways can religious observance mask a heart that loves created things more than the Creator?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאַחַ֤ר1 of 18

“Behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙2 of 18

“the doors”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

וְהַמְּזוּזָ֔ה3 of 18

“also and the posts”

H4201

a door-post (as prominent)

שַׂ֖מְתְּ4 of 18

“hast thou set up”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

זִכְרוֹנֵ֑ךְ5 of 18

“thy remembrance”

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

כִּ֣י6 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵאִתִּ֞י7 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גִּלִּ֣ית8 of 18

“for thou hast discovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

וַֽתַּעֲלִ֗י9 of 18

“thyself to another than me and art gone up”

H5927

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

הִרְחַ֤בְתְּ10 of 18

“thou hast enlarged”

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

מִשְׁכָּבָ֖ם11 of 18

“their bed”

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

וַתִּכְרָת12 of 18

“and made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָ֣ךְ13 of 18
H0
מֵהֶ֔ם14 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אָהַ֥בְתְּ15 of 18

“thee a covenant with them thou lovedst”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

מִשְׁכָּבָ֖ם16 of 18

“their bed”

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

יָ֥ד17 of 18

“where”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חָזִֽית׃18 of 18

“thou sawest”

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

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 57:8 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 57:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:32Ezekiel 16:25-28Ezekiel 23:2-20Ezekiel 8:8-12Ezekiel 23:41

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