17 The precise referent of זִכָּרוֹן (zikkaron) in this context is uncertain. Elsewhere the word refers to a memorial or commemorative sign. Here it likely refers to some type of idolatrous symbol.
18 Or “for” (, ).
19 The Hebrew text reads literally, “from me you uncover.” The translation assumes an emendation of the Piel form גִּלִּית (gillit, “you uncover”), which has no object expressed here, to the Qal גָּלִית (galit, “you depart”).
20 Heb “you make wide your bed” ( similar).
21 Heb “and you [second masculine singular, unless the form be taken as third feminine singular] cut for yourself [feminine singular] from them.” Most English translations retain the reading in spite of at least three problems. This section makes significant use of feminine verbs and noun suffixes because of the sexual imagery. The verb in question is likely a 2nd person masculine singular verb. Nevertheless, this kind of fluctuation in gender appears elsewhere ( §47.k and §144.p; cf. Jer 3:5; Ezek 22:4; 23:32; cf. J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah [], 2:, n. 13). Secondly, when this verbal root signifies establishing a covenant, it is normally accompanied by the noun for “covenant” (בְּרִית, bérit). Finally, this juxtaposition of the verb “to cut” and “covenant” normally is followed by the preposition “with,” while here it is “from.” The translation above assumes an emendation of וַתִּכְרָת (vatikhrah, “and you cut”) to וְכָרִית (vékharit, “and you purchase”) from the root כָּרָה (kharah); see II כרה.
22 The Hebrew text has simply חָזָה (khazah, “gaze”). The adverb “longingly” is interpretive (see the context, where sexual lust is depicted).
23 Heb “[at] a hand you gaze.” The term יָד (yad, “hand”) probably has the sense of “power, manhood” here, where it is used, as in Ugaritic, as a euphemism for the genitals. See I יָד.
24 Heb “you journey with oil.”
25 Heb “the king.” Since the context refers to idolatry and child sacrifice (see v. 5), some emend מֶלֶך (melekh, “king”) to “Molech.” Perhaps Israel’s devotion to her idols is likened here to a subject taking tribute to a ruler.
26 Heb “and you multiply your perfumes.”
27 Israel’s devotion to her idols is inordinate, irrational, and self-destructive.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

On a high and lofty mountain

you have set your bed,

and there you went up to offer sacrifice.

Behind the door and the doorpost

you have set up your memorial;

for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed,

you have gone up to it,

you have made it wide;

and you have made a covenant for yourself with them,

you have loved their bed,

you have looked on nakedness.

You journeyed to the king with oil

and multiplied your perfumes;

you sent your envoys far off,

and sent down even to Sheol.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill;

there you went up to offer your sacrifices.

Behind your doors and your doorposts

you have put your pagan symbols.

Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed,

you climbed into it and opened it wide;

you made a pact with those whose beds you love,

and you looked with lust on their naked bodies.

You went to Molek with olive oil

and increased your perfumes.

You sent your ambassadors far away;

you descended to the very realm of the dead!

CSBChristian Standard Bible

You have placed your bed

on a high and lofty mountain;

you also went up there to offer sacrifice.

You have set up your memorial

behind the door and doorpost.

For away from me, you stripped,

went up, and made your bed wide,

and you have made a bargain for yourself with them.

You have loved their bed;

you have gazed on their genitals.

You went to the king with oil

and multiplied your perfumes;

you sent your envoys far away

and sent them down even to Sheol.

NLTNew Living Translation

You have committed adultery on every high mountain.

There you have worshiped idols

and have been unfaithful to me.

You have put pagan symbols

on your doorposts and behind your doors.

You have left me

and climbed into bed with these detestable gods.

You have committed yourselves to them.

You love to look at their naked bodies.

You have gone to Molech

with olive oil and many perfumes,

sending your agents far and wide,

even to the world of the dead,

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

You have set your bed upon a high and lofty mountain;

indeed, you went up there to slaughter sacrifice.

And you have set your symbol behind the door and the doorpost;

for you depart from me, and you go up;

you make your bed wide, and you make a deal with them,

you have loved their bed; you have seen their genitals.

And you climbed down to the king with oil,

and you made your perfumes numerous,

and you sent your envoys far away,

and you sent down deep to Sheol.

KJV 1900King James Version

Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed:

Even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

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.

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.

Public Domain