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.

ISAIAH 57:8KJV
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Isaiah 57:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 57:8 mean?

Isaiah 57:8 describes how the people of Israel set up symbols of unfaithfulness in secret places, showing their devotion to other gods instead of to the Lord. The verse uses the image of making a covenant and enlarging a bed to picture Israel’s willingness to pursue these other relationships, loving what they saw and turning away from God.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, confronting them for their idolatry and spiritual adultery. The verse uses the language of intimacy and covenant to show how the people have been unfaithful, not just openly but even in hidden places (“behind the doors and the posts”). This is part of a larger passage where Isaiah rebukes the nation for abandoning their exclusive relationship with God in favor of alliances and worship with other nations and their gods.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 57:8

  • “Remembrance” (זִכָּרוֹן, zikkaron) refers to a memorial or symbol meant to remind. Here, it suggests the people placed reminders of their idolatry in private places, showing deliberate intent.
  • “Discovered” (גָּלָה, galah) means to uncover or expose. In this context, it often carries the sense of exposing oneself in a shameful or intimate way, emphasizing the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
  • “Enlarged” (רָחַב, rachav) means to make wide or spacious. The phrase “enlarged thy bed” uses this word to picture making room for more partners, highlighting the extent of Israel’s spiritual infidelity.
  • “Covenant” (כָּרַת, karat) literally means to cut or make a binding agreement. Here, it points to Israel making formal agreements or alliances with others, further betraying their exclusive covenant with God.

Why Isaiah 57:8 matters

  • Isaiah 57:8 clears up that Israel’s idolatry was not just public but also hidden and intentional, involving both actions and symbols placed in secret places.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness by using the language of intimacy and covenant, making the betrayal more personal and vivid.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing that Israel’s problem was not just ritual or surface-level, but a deep-seated turning away from God that affected every part of their lives.

Where else these words appear

“posts” Hebrew H4201 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
  • Deuteronomy 11:20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
  • 1 Kings 7:5 And all the doors and posts were square, with the windows: and light was against light in three ranks.

“remembrance” Hebrew H2146 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • Nehemiah 2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

“enlarged” Hebrew H7337 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Psalms 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

“bed” Hebrew H4904 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
  • Judges 21:11 And this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.
  • Job 33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: