Isaiah 57:11
And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִ֞י
H4310
מִ֞י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
תִירָֽאִי׃
and thou fearest
H3372
תִירָֽאִי׃
and thou fearest
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
4 of 20
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תְכַזֵּ֔בִי
that thou hast lied
H3576
תְכַזֵּ֔בִי
that thou hast lied
Strong's:
H3576
Word #:
6 of 20
to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively
וְאוֹתִי֙
H853
וְאוֹתִי֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָכַ֔רְתְּ
and hast not remembered
H2142
זָכַ֔רְתְּ
and hast not remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
me nor laid
H7760
שַׂ֖מְתְּ
me nor laid
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
11 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבֵּ֑ךְ
it to thy heart
H3820
לִבֵּ֑ךְ
it to thy heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
13 of 20
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
הֲלֹ֨א
H3808
הֲלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וּמֵ֣עֹלָ֔ם
even of old
H5769
וּמֵ֣עֹלָ֔ם
even of old
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְאוֹתִ֖י
H853
וְאוֹתִ֖י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Psalms 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.Proverbs 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.Jeremiah 3:21A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.Jeremiah 2:32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's history, God's patience was extraordinary. Despite repeated covenant violations from the exodus onwards, He delayed judgment for centuries, sending prophets to call for repentance (2 Kings 17:13, 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). This patience was particularly evident during the divided monarchy, when God preserved Judah despite their sins for the sake of His covenant with David (2 Kings 8:19). Rather than recognizing this forbearance as divine grace, the people presumed upon it, assuming judgment would never come (Jeremiah 7:4, Zephaniah 1:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fear of man prove to be a snare in our spiritual lives (Proverbs 29:25)?
- In what ways might we mistake God's patience for approval of our sins?
- How should God's forbearance lead us to repentance rather than presumption?
Analysis & Commentary
God's rhetorical questions probe the psychology behind idolatry: "Of whom hast thou been afraid or feared?" The Hebrew daga (feared/anxious) suggests anxiety-driven decisions. Their lies and faithlessness stem from misplaced fear—fearing human powers more than God. "That thou hast lied and hast not remembered me" connects idolatry with both active deception (lying) and passive forgetfulness (not remembering God). "Nor laid it to thy heart" uses the Hebrew idiom for serious consideration—they never seriously reflected on their covenant obligations. God then asks, "Have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?" The long-suffering patience of God, rather than producing gratitude and repentance, emboldened them in sin. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine that God's common grace and patience, while intended to lead to repentance (Romans 2:4), can harden those who abuse it. Divine forbearance is misinterpreted as divine indifference or impotence.