Bible Strands
Isaiah 57:4
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses the rebellious descendants of idolaters and adulterers, immediately preceding a description of their valley sacrifices and tree worship.
The words — תִּתְעַנָּגוּ (titʿannāgû) literally means "are you making fun," while תַּרְחִיבוּ פֶּה (tarḥîḇû peh) translates to "do you make wide a mouth."
The thread — This derisive posture parallels the taunting recorded in Psalms 35:21 and the arrogant defiance condemned in Exodus 9:17, while the surrounding context ties the mockery to the pagan rituals of Isaiah 57:5.
Why it lands — It demands that readers stop performing empty, derisive religiosity and confront their own inherent corruption, recognizing that spiritual lineage dictates moral reality.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
Cross-references
- 2 Peter 2:13 The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.
- Exodus 9:17 Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.
- Psalms 35:21 They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”
- Isaiah 1:4 Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.
- Exodus 16:7 and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we, that you should grumble against us?”
- Numbers 16:11 Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the LORD! As for Aaron, who is he that you should grumble against him?”
- Joshua 10:21 The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites.
- Judges 16:25 And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.
- Job 16:9 His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.
- Psalms 22:7 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: