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 57:6KJV
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Isaiah 57:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 57:6 mean?

Isaiah 57:6 describes God accusing people of giving their devotion to smooth stones in a streambed. They treat the stones as their chosen portion and bring offerings to them. God’s closing question expresses displeasure with those actions.

The smooth stones provide a concrete picture of objects receiving the attention meant for God. The repeated “they, they” puts special stress on the stones as the people’s chosen lot. God speaks the closing question, asking whether such offerings could bring him comfort.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 57:6

  • “stream” — נַחַל (naḥal): This word can mean a stream or the valley or streambed through which water flows. It places the smooth stones in a natural setting where water has worn them down.
  • “meat offering” — מִנְחָה (minḥah): This word often refers to a gift or a grain offering. In the KJV, “meat” can mean food rather than animal flesh, so the phrase does not necessarily describe an offering of meat.

Why Isaiah 57:6 matters

  • The verse presents the stones as receiving acts of worship, not merely as objects people happened to admire. The people pour a drink offering and offer a food gift “to them.”
  • The words “portion” and “lot” suggest a chosen share or possession. Applied to the stones, these words make the people’s attachment to them especially pointed.
  • The closing question expects a negative answer. “Should I receive comfort in these?” conveys God’s rejection of the offerings rather than satisfaction with them.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

“portion” Hebrew H2506 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

“comfort” Hebrew H5162 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Job 29:25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
  • Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.