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.

ISAIAH 57:9KJV
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Isaiah 57:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 57:9 mean?

Isaiah 57:9 describes how the people of Israel went to great lengths to seek favor from foreign rulers, using costly ointments and perfumes, sending messengers far away, and lowering themselves even to the point of deep shame or spiritual ruin. The verse uses strong language to show how far the people were willing to go, even to the depths of "hell," to pursue these alliances.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, criticizing them for turning away from God and seeking help from other nations and their kings. The actions described—traveling to the king, using ointments and perfumes, sending messengers, and debasing themselves—are all ways of showing how desperate and unfaithful the people had become in their search for security outside of their relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 57:9

  • "Wentest" (שָׁפַע, shafaʿ): This word often carries the sense of rushing or pouring oneself out, which highlights the eagerness and effort the people put into seeking these foreign alliances.
  • "Debase" (שָׁפֵל, shaphel): This word means to humble or lower oneself, sometimes to a humiliating degree. Here, it emphasizes the depth of humiliation or moral decline the people experienced in their pursuit.
  • "Hell" (שְׁאוֹל, she'ol): In Hebrew thought, שְׁאוֹל (she'ol) refers to the realm of the dead or the grave, not necessarily a place of fiery punishment. The verse uses it to stress how far the people had fallen spiritually.

Why Isaiah 57:9 matters

  • Isaiah 57:9 clears up that the people's actions were not just political but also spiritual, showing a deep unfaithfulness to God by seeking help from other nations.
  • The verse uses vivid language to emphasize the seriousness of turning away from God, making clear that these choices led to deep shame and spiritual loss.
  • Understanding the original words for "debase" and "hell" helps readers see that the verse is about more than physical actions—it is about a profound spiritual decline that affected the entire nation.

Where else these words appear

“wentest” Hebrew H7788 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:25 The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.

“messengers” Hebrew H6735 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
  • Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“debase” Hebrew H8213 · used in 27 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
  • Proverbs 25:7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
  • Isaiah 25:11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.

“hell” Hebrew H7585 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
  • Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
  • Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.