The God Who Carries and Redeems: Yahweh's Sovereignty over Idols
Isaiah 46:1-13
Isa.46.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כרע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בל: PART
- קרס: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms,sg
- נבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עצביהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- לחיה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולבהמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נשאתיכם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- עמוסות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעיפה: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): Extended polemic against idols: they are man-made, powerless, and a burden—parallels the depiction of Bel and Nebo as impotent and carried on beasts.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (verbal): Describes idols as lifeless objects made by hands that cannot speak or move, and the futility of trusting them—echoes the helplessness and burden-theme of Isaiah 46:1.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Ridicules the fashioning and carrying of idols made with tools, stressing their worthlessness—parallels Isaiah's portrayal of transported pagan gods.
- Habakkuk 2:18-19 (verbal): Rhetorical denunciation of idolatry (What profit is an idol?) and the silence of idols—connects with Isaiah's challenge to the Babylonian deities' power.
- Jeremiah 51:44 (allusion): Pronounces judgment on Bel in Babylon and his humiliation—directly parallels the fate of Bel and Nebo envisaged in Isaiah 46:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are borne by beast and cattle—the things you carried were a burden too heavy for them.
- Bel stooped, Nebo crouched; their images are borne upon beasts and upon cattle—your burdens were a burden for the weary.
Isa.46.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קרסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כרעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יחדו: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מלט: VERB,qal,inf
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונפשם: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- בשבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:9-11 (verbal): Like Isa.46:2 this passage denounces idol-makers and their works; both portray craftsmen and idols as powerless and absurd (makers bowing/stooping, idols unable to save).
- Psalm 115:4-8 (verbal): Describes idols that cannot speak, see, or act and says those who make them become like them—paralleling the impotence of idols and the fate of their makers in Isa.46:2.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Warns against worship of carved images and describes the futility of idols crafted by humans, echoing Isa.46:2’s theme that idols and their makers cannot save or help.
- 1 Samuel 5:3-5 (thematic): Narrates a historical episode in which Philistine gods are humbled and afflicted before the ark—an exemplification of idols’ impotence similar to the captivity and uselessness depicted in Isa.46:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- They bowed together, they stooped; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves went into captivity.
- They stoop, they crouch together; they could not deliver the burden—now their power has gone into captivity.
Isa.46.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- שארית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העמסים: PART,qal,act,m,pl,def
- מני: PREP+PRON,1,_,sg
- בטן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנשאים: ADJ,ptcp,qal,pres,m,pl,def
- מני: PREP+PRON,1,_,sg
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 46:4 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same speech: God promises ongoing care ('I will carry you... and will deliver you') echoing the image of bearing from the womb.
- Isaiah 44:2 (verbal): God addresses Jacob/Israel and emphasizes his role as maker who formed them from the womb—language and theme closely parallel to Isaiah 46:3.
- Isaiah 43:1 (thematic): God calls and reassures Jacob/Israel ('Do not fear, for I have redeemed you')—similar address to the house of Jacob and the motif of God's personal care and protection.
- Psalm 22:9 (verbal): Speaks of God taking the psalmist 'from the womb' and sustaining him—verbal parallel in the image of God bearing/sustaining from birth.
- Jeremiah 1:5 (allusion): God's pre-birth knowledge and calling ('before I formed you in the womb I knew you') resonates with the theme of God's involvement with Israel from the womb.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hear me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel—those who are carried from the womb, who are borne from the bowels.
- Hear me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel—those carried from the womb, carried from the belly.
Isa.46.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- זקנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- שיבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אסבל: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אסבל: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- ואמלט: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 71:9 (thematic): Both verses voice the expectation that God will not abandon the faithful in old age; Psalm 71 pleads explicitly, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age,” paralleling Isaiah’s promise to sustain to gray hairs.
- Isaiah 40:11 (verbal): Isaiah 40 depicts God as a shepherd who 'gathers the lambs in his arms' and 'carries them,' echoing the language and imagery of God carrying and bearing his people in Isa. 46:4.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (verbal): Deuteronomy promises courage because the LORD 'will not fail you or forsake you,' reflecting the same assurance of God’s enduring presence and support found in Isa. 46:4.
- Hebrews 13:5 (allusion): The New Testament citation 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' echoes Old Testament assurances of God’s abiding presence and parallels Isaiah’s vow to bear and sustain his people into old age.
Alternative generated candidates
- Even to your old age I am he; even to gray hairs I will carry you. I made you—yes, I will bear; I will carry and will deliver.
- Even to old age I am the same, and to gray hairs I will sustain you. I made you, and I will carry; I will bear and I will save.
Isa.46.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למי: PREP,interr
- תדמיוני: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- ותשוו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ותמשלוני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ונדמה: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:25 (verbal): Uses the same rhetorical challenge — 'To whom then will ye liken me, or to whom shall I be equal?' — asserting God's incomparability.
- Isaiah 46:9 (verbal): Same chapter affirmation of God's uniqueness ('I am God, and there is none like me'), reinforcing the impossibility of likening God to idols.
- Exodus 15:11 (verbal): The Song of Moses asks 'Who is like unto thee, O LORD?' — a parallel rhetorical form emphasizing the LORD's unparalleled status among gods.
- Micah 7:18 (thematic): Poses a similar rhetorical question ('Who is a God like thee?') to highlight God's unique character and actions (e.g., mercy, forgiveness), echoing the theme of incomparability.
Alternative generated candidates
- To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we should be alike?
- To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we should be alike?
Isa.46.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הזלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכיס: PREP
- וכסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישקלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ישכרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- צורף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעשהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יסגדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אף: ADV
- ישתחוו: VERB,hithpael,imperfect,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:12-17 (verbal): Same prophetic polemic within Isaiah against smiths and craftsmen who shape wood and metal into idols; shares vocabulary and images of working gold/silver and fashioning a god.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Describes people cutting and carving wood, decorating and carrying it as an object of worship—echoes the imagery of human-made idols being borne and venerated.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Contrast between living God and impotent idols: crafted images with mouths, eyes, ears that cannot act—reinforces Isaiah’s critique of manufactured gods.
- Habakkuk 2:18-19 (thematic): Rhetorical challenge to the value and status of carved idols and their makers—questions the wisdom of trusting in objects fashioned by human hands.
Alternative generated candidates
- They lift gold from the purse and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a craftsman who makes it into a god—then they bow down and worship.
- They lift it from the bag, they weigh it on the scales; they hire a goldsmith, who makes it into a god—then they bow down, yes, they prostrate themselves.
Isa.46.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ישאהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כתף: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יסבלהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויניחהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ממקומו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ימיש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יצעק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יענה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מצרתו: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- יושיענו: VERB,hiph,imprf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 115:4-8 (verbal): Idols are described as having mouths but not speaking and being unable to help—a direct verbal parallel to Isaiah 46:7's claim that the idol does not answer or save.
- Psalm 135:15-18 (verbal): Similar language about the impotence of idols (they have mouths but do not speak; those who make them are like them), reinforcing the same critique of idol helplessness.
- Isaiah 44:17 (verbal): Within the same prophetic context Isaiah explicitly depicts a man crying to an idol that cannot answer—close verbal and thematic echo of 46:7.
- Jeremiah 10:3-5 (thematic): Describes the making and adorning of carved images (cutting a tree, fastening with nails) and their human use, paralleling the imagery of lifting, carrying, and setting an idol in place in Isa. 46:7.
- Habakkuk 2:18-19 (thematic): Denounces the making and worship of idols and questions their worth and silence—a thematic parallel highlighting the futility and non-responsiveness of idols.
Alternative generated candidates
- They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it and set it down; it remains in its place, it does not move. Though one cries to it, it gives no answer; it cannot save him from his distress.
- They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it and set it in its place; it stands and does not move from its spot. Though one calls to it, it gives no answer; it cannot save him from his distress.
Isa.46.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- זכרו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- והתאששו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- השיבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פושעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 46:9 (structural): Immediate continuation of the admonition to 'remember'—both verses form a unit calling transgressors to recall God's acts and be ashamed of idols.
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): Extended polemic against idolatry that ridicules makers and users of idols and depicts their shame and futility, echoing the charge addressed to 'transgressors' in 46:8.
- Isaiah 45:16-17 (verbal): Speaks of those who made idols being put to shame and disgraced—uses similar language of shame and judgment toward idolaters.
- Psalm 97:7 (verbal): Calls for those who worship carved images to be put to shame, paralleling Isaiah's demand that idolaters remember and be ashamed.
- Romans 1:21-23 (thematic): New Testament depiction of humanity's exchange of God for idols and ensuing folly echoes Isaiah's indictment of idolaters and the call to recognise and be ashamed of that sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember this, and be ashamed; take it to heart, you transgressors.
- Remember this and be ashamed; turn back—take it to heart, you transgressors.
Isa.46.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- זכרו: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,pl
- ראשנות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מעולם: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עוד: ADV
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואפס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כמוני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:6 (verbal): Proclaims the singularity of God ('I am the first and the last' and 'besides me there is no God'), echoing Isaiah 46:9's claim that there is no other like Yahweh.
- Isaiah 45:5-6 (verbal): States 'I am the LORD, and there is none else; there is no God beside me,' a near-verbatim theological parallel affirming God's exclusive divinity.
- Isaiah 43:10-11 (thematic): Affirms that Israel's God alone is God and savior ('beside me there is no savior'), paralleling the exclusivity and uniqueness of God in Isa 46:9.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (verbal): Declares 'See now that I, even I, am he; and there is no god with me,' an earlier expression of divine solitude and sovereignty reflected in Isaiah 46:9.
- Exodus 20:3 (thematic): The first commandment's prohibition 'You shall have no other gods before me' resonates with Isaiah 46:9's emphasis that there is no other god besides Yahweh.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember the former things of long ago— for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
- Remember the former things of long ago: I am God, and there is no other; there is none like me.
Isa.46.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מגיד: VERB,hiph,ptc,ms
- מראשית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרית: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ומקדם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- נעשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עצתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- תקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חפצי: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 48:3–5 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language about declaring events 'from the beginning' and foretelling things not yet done, and stresses that God brings His declared purposes to pass.
- Isaiah 44:7 (verbal): Echoes the claim that God proclaims and announces events from long ago—reinforces the motif of divine foreknowledge and sovereign announcement of history.
- Isaiah 41:4 (thematic): Affirms God's activity 'from the beginning' and His role in calling and accomplishing events across generations, paralleling the theme of God who initiates and completes history.
- Proverbs 19:21 (verbal): Declares that human plans yield to the LORD's purpose—'the counsel of the LORD shall stand'—directly paralleling 'עציתי תקום' (My counsel shall stand).
- Psalm 33:11 (verbal): Proclaims that 'the counsel of the LORD stands forever,' echoing Isaiah 46:10's emphasis on the permanence and certainty of God's counsel and purposes.
Alternative generated candidates
- I announce the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is not yet done. My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.
- I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done: my counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my will.
Isa.46.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ממזרח: PREP
- עיט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מרחק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עצתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- אף: ADV
- דברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- אף: ADV
- אביאנה: VERB,hiph,impf,1,m,sg+3f
- יצרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- אף: ADV
- אעשנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 46:10 (structural): Close parallel in wording and theme: God declares the end from the beginning and insists that his counsel/purpose will stand and be accomplished (’my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure’).
- Isaiah 41:2 (verbal): Similar motif of God stirring up/raising a figure from the east who acts at God’s command; both passages portray God as the one who summons an eastern agent to accomplish his purposes.
- Isaiah 45:1 (allusion): God speaks of calling and using a foreign ruler (Cyrus) from the east to carry out his will—echoes the idea of calling someone from the east to fulfill divine purposes.
- Psalm 33:9 (verbal): Parallel verbal formula: God’s word brings reality into being — ‘He spoke, and it was; he commanded, and it stood fast’ — matching Isa.46:11’s ‘I have spoken, I will also bring it; I have purposed, I will also do it.’
- Job 23:14 (thematic): Shared theological theme that what God has appointed or purposed he will accomplish: God executes his plans and brings to pass what he has decreed.
Alternative generated candidates
- I summon from the east a bird of prey, from a distant land a man to carry out my counsel; I have spoken, and I will also bring it to pass; I have formed it, and I will do it.
- I call a bird of prey from the east, and a man to execute my purpose from a far country. I have spoken; I will also bring it to pass. I have planned; I will also do it.
Isa.46.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אבירי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרחוקים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- מצדקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 59:2 (thematic): Speaks of separation from God because of sin—parallels Isaiah 46:12's description of people being far from righteousness.
- Isaiah 1:4 (thematic): Declares the nation sinful, rebellious, and distant from the ways of righteousness—similar portrayal of a stubborn, wayward people.
- Ezekiel 12:2 (verbal): Uses language of being 'stiff‑hearted' or 'impudent'—echoing the motif of ‘stout‑hearted’ (אבירי לב) who are resistant to God's word.
- Jeremiah 5:21 (verbal): A prophetic summons ‘Hear now this’ addressed to a people who are blind or unresponsive—parallels Isaiah’s call to ‘hear’ directed at those distant from righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Listen to me, you stout-hearted who are far from righteousness.
- Hear me, you stubborn of heart, you far from righteousness.
Isa.46.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קרבתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- צדקתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תרחק: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותשועתי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאחר: VERB,qal,imperf,2,m,sg
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בציון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תפארתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1
Parallels
- Isaiah 51:5 (verbal): Near verbal parallel: speaks of God's righteousness drawing near and his salvation going forth—language and imagery closely mirror 'my righteousness I bring near… and my salvation will not delay.'
- Isaiah 62:11 (verbal): Announces the coming of salvation to Zion—explicitly connects the coming/delivery of salvation with Zion, echoing 'I will place salvation in Zion.'
- Isaiah 45:17 (thematic): Declares that Israel is saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; thematically complements 46:13’s promise that salvation for Israel will arrive and be the LORD’s glory.
- Psalm 98:2 (verbal): Speaks of God revealing his salvation and righteousness to the nations—language of revealed/near righteousness and salvation parallels the claim that God brings his righteousness and will not delay his salvation.
- Romans 11:26 (allusion): New Testament reflection on the ultimate salvation of Israel ('all Israel will be saved'); thematically echoes Isaiah’s assurance that salvation will come to Israel and be God’s glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off; and my salvation will not delay. I will grant salvation in Zion, my glory to Israel.
- My righteousness is near; my salvation will not be delayed. I will give salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.
Bel has bowed down; Nebo stoops; their idols are borne by beasts and cattle—your burdens were laid upon them, a load too heavy.
They tottered, they together fell; there was none to raise the burden. Their strength went into captivity; their life went into exile.
Hear me, house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who are carried from the womb and borne from the belly.
Even to your old age I am he; even to gray hairs I will carry you. I made you, and I will bear you; I will carry and will save.
To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we should be alike?
They pour gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith, who fashions it into a god. Then they fall down and bow; they prostrate themselves before it.
They lift it upon the shoulder, they carry it and set it down; it remains in its place and does not move. Though one cries to it, it does not answer; from his distress it cannot save him.
Remember this, and be ashamed; take it to heart, you transgressors.
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; there is none like me.
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done. My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my pleasure.
I called a bird of prey from the east, a man of my counsel from a distant land. I have spoken— I will also bring it to pass; I have formed it— I will also do it.
Hear me, you who are far off, you mighty in heart.
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation will not delay. I will place salvation in Zion; Israel shall be my glory.