You journeyed to Molech with oil: Scholars have discussed this line extensively. Some emend the Hebrew verb for journeyed in Masoretic Text to read “drench” or “make wet,” and the name Molech to read “your hair.” So Revised English Bible has “You drenched your tresses with oil.” However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends saying “you have made a present of oil to Melech,” which follows the text found in Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint. We recommend this reading or the one in Masoretic Text, which Revised Standard Version reflects. Molech (also known as Melech or Moloch) was a Canaanite god (see the comments on 30.33). Worship of this god involved the sacrifice of children, usually on a platform in the Hinnom Valley alongside Jerusalem. It was practiced in Israel during the time of the kings; Solomon built a high place for this god and others (1 Kgs 11.7), but Josiah banned such worship (2 Kgs 23.10). The Hebrew text here has “king” (melek), but most versions change it slightly to read “Molech” (molek). Like Good News Translation, many translations will need to identify Molech. Oil here refers to fragrant oil rubbed on a person’s skin, rather than “olive oil” as New International Version suggests.

And multiplied your perfumes means the idol worshipers wore a lot of perfume, which is typical in the context of relations with cult prostitutes.

You sent your envoys far off means they sent messengers to distant nations to find more gods to worship. For the Hebrew word rendered envoys, see the comments on 18.2, where it is translated “ambassadors.” The Hebrew word for far off is similar to the one for perfumes, so there is a play-on-words here.

And sent down even to Sheol: Sheol was the place where the spirits of the dead went (see the comments on 5.14). The worshipers of Molech believed he was the god of the underworld. The Israelite idol worshipers even sent messengers to the underworld to look for more gods as their lovers. This is a slight exaggeration to express the extent of their idolatry.

The picture of religious life in Judah presented in this subsection is one that was typical of the period of the kings before the exile. To find such a sharp attack on popular religion after the exile indicates that these religious practices continued to have a strong appeal among the people, despite the prophets’ preaching. After most of the people of Judah went into exile, other nations occupied their land and brought their own religious practices. This may be the reason for the continuing appeal of these practices.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• You present the god Molech with oil,
and lavish perfume on yourself.
You send for lovers far off,
even down to Sheol.

• You have traveled to the god Molech with oil,
and used a lot of perfume on yourself.
You sent messengers far off [for lovers],
even as far as the world of the dead.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .