New International VersionThey lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.
New Living TranslationThey carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.
English Standard VersionThey lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.
Berean Standard BibleThey lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
King James BibleThey bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
New King James VersionThey bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble.
New American Standard Bible“They lift it on the shoulder, carry it, And set it in its place, and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may shout to it, it cannot answer; It cannot save him from his distress.
NASB 1995“They lift it upon the shoulder and carry it; They set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; It cannot deliver him from his distress.
NASB 1977“They lift it upon the shoulder and carry it; They set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; It cannot deliver him from his distress.
Legacy Standard BibleThey carry it upon the shoulder and bear it; They set it in its place, and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; It cannot save him from his distress.
Amplified Bible“They lift it on their shoulders [in religious processions or into battle] and carry it; They set it in its place and there it remains standing. It cannot move from its place. Even if one cries to it [for help], the idol cannot answer; It cannot save him from his distress.
Christian Standard BibleThey lift it to their shoulder and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry out to it but it doesn’t answer; it saves no one from his trouble.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThey lift it to their shoulder and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry out to it but it doesn’t answer; it saves no one from his trouble.”
American Standard VersionThey bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Contemporary English VersionThey carry the idol on their shoulders, then put it on a stand, but it cannot move. They call out to the idol when they are in trouble, but it doesn't answer, and it cannot help.
English Revised VersionThey bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThey lift it on their shoulders and carry it. They set the idol in its place, and it stands there. It doesn't move from its place. If they cry to it for help, it can't answer. It can't rescue them from their distress.
Good News TranslationThey lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they put it in place, and there it stands, unable to move from where it is. If any pray to it, it cannot answer or save them from disaster.
International Standard VersionAnd they lift it on their shoulders, carry it, set it up in its place, and there it stands. It cannot move from that spot. One may even call to it, but it cannot answer nor save him from his distress.
NET BibleThey put it on their shoulder and carry it; they put it in its place and it just stands there; it does not move from its place. Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply; it does not deliver him from his distress.
New Heart English BibleThey bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Webster's Bible TranslationThey bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet he cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.
World English BibleThey bear it on their shoulder. They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It cannot move from its place. Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer. It cannot save him out of his trouble. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey lift him up on the shoulder, "" They carry him, and cause him to rest in his place, "" And he stands, he does not move from his place, "" Indeed, one cries to him, and he does not answer, "" He does not save him from his adversity.
Young's Literal Translation They lift him up on the shoulder, They carry him, and cause him to rest in his place, And he standeth, from his place he moveth not, Yea, one crieth unto him, and he answereth not, From his adversity he saveth him not.
Smith's Literal TranslationThey will lift him up upon the shoulder, they will carry him, they will set him down in his place and he will stand; from his place he shall not depart: also he will cry out to him and he will not answer; he will not save him from his straits. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey bear him on their shoulders and carry him, and set him in his piece, and he shall stand, and shall not stir out of his place. Yea, when they shall cry also unto him, he shall not hear: he shall not save them from tribulation.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThey carry him on their shoulders, supporting him, and they set him in his place. And he will stand still and will not move from his place. But even when they will cry out to him, he will not hear. He will not save them from tribulation.
New American BibleThey lift it to their shoulders to carry; when they set it down, it stays, and does not move from the place. They cry out to it, but it cannot answer; it delivers no one from distress.
New Revised Standard VersionThey lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries out to it, it does not answer or save anyone from trouble. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThey bear it upon their shoulders, they carry it and set it in its place, and it cannot rise up from its place; they also pray to it, but it does not answer them nor save them from their troubles.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd they pick it up on their shoulders, and they walk it and they lay it on its place, and it cannot rise up from its place; also they pray to it and it does not answer them, and it does not save them from their afflictions OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He is borne upon the shoulder, he is carried, And set in his place, and he standeth, From his place he doth not remove; Yea, though one cry unto him, he cannot answer, Nor save him out of his trouble.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThey bear it upon the shoulder, and go; and if they put it upon its place, it remains, it cannot move: and whosoever shall cry to it, it cannot hear; it cannot save him from trouble.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Babylon's Idols… 6They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. 7They liftit totheir shoulderand carry it along;they setit in its place,and there it stands,notbudgingfromthat spot.They cry outto it,but it does notanswer;it savesno onefrom his troubles.8Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!…
Cross References Psalm 115:4-8Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...
Jeremiah 10:3-5For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”
Habakkuk 2:18-19What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”
1 Kings 18:26-29And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...
Psalm 135:15-18The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...
Jeremiah 2:27-28say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Yet in the time of trouble, they say, ‘Rise up and save us!’ / But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.
1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
Deuteronomy 4:28And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
1 Samuel 5:3-4When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. / But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained.
Acts 17:29Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
Hosea 8:4-6They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.
1 Corinthians 10:19-20Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.
Judges 10:14Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”
Revelation 9:20Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
Isaiah 44:9-20All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...
Treasury of Scripture They bear him on the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he stands; from his place shall he not remove: yes, one shall cry to him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. they carry him 1 Samuel 5:3
And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagonwas fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. Jeremiah 10:5
Theyare upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither alsois it in them to do good. Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose heightwas threescore cubits,and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. one shall cry Isaiah 37:38
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead. Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, yethat are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a godthat cannot save. Judges 10:12-14
The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand… Jump to Previous BacksBearBorneCarriedCarryCriesCryDeliverDistressFixedGivesHelpLiftMoveMovedRemoveSaveShoulderShouldersSpotStandethStandsTroubleUnableJump to Next BacksBearBorneCarriedCarryCriesCryDeliverDistressFixedGivesHelpLiftMoveMovedRemoveSaveShoulderShouldersSpotStandethStandsTroubleUnableIsaiah 46 1.The idols of Babylon could not save themselves3.God saves his people to the end5.Idols are not comparable to God for power12.Or present salvation.They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along;This phrase highlights the futility of idol worship, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Babylon, where people would create physical representations of their gods. These idols, often made of wood or metal, had to be physically transported by their worshippers, indicating their powerlessness. This contrasts with the God of Israel, who is omnipresent and does not require human effort to be moved or carried. The act of lifting and carrying emphasizes the burden and labor involved in idol worship, which is ultimately fruitless. they set it in its place, and there it stands,
Once the idol is placed, it remains stationary, unable to move or act on its own. This immobility underscores the impotence of idols compared to the living God, who is active and sovereign. In the cultural context, setting an idol in a temple or shrine was meant to establish its presence and authority, yet the irony is that it is entirely dependent on human action. This can be contrasted with passages like1 Kings 8:27, where Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be contained by a physical space. not budging from that spot.
The idol's inability to move signifies its lack of life and power. This immobility serves as a metaphor for the spiritual stagnation that results from idol worship. In contrast, the God of Israel is depicted throughout scripture as dynamic and involved in the lives of His people, guiding and delivering them. This phrase also reflects the prophetic critique of idolatry found in other parts of Isaiah, such asIsaiah 44:9-20, where the absurdity of idol-making is mocked. They cry out to it, but it does not answer;
The futility of seeking help from idols is evident as they cannot respond to the cries of their worshippers. This highlights the contrast between the living God, who hears and answers prayers (Psalm 34:17), and lifeless idols. The inability of idols to respond is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the unique relationship between God and His people, where communication is possible and effective. it saves no one from his troubles.
Idols are powerless to deliver or save, a central theme in the prophetic literature. This phrase underscores the ultimate failure of relying on anything other than God for salvation and deliverance. The historical context of Israel, often tempted to turn to idols or foreign alliances for security, serves as a backdrop for this message. The promise of salvation is a key aspect of God's covenant with Israel, fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Savior (Matthew 1:21). Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. BabylonThe context of Isaiah 46 is a prophecy against Babylon, a powerful empire known for its idolatry and oppression of God's people. 3. IdolsThe verse specifically addresses the futility of idol worship, highlighting the inability of man-made gods to respond or save. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdols, whether physical or metaphorical, cannot provide the help or salvation that only God can offer. This calls us to examine what "idols" we might be relying on in our own lives. God's SovereigntyUnlike idols, God is sovereign and active. He hears our cries and has the power to save. This should encourage us to place our trust in Him alone. The Call to True WorshipWorship should be directed to the living God, who is capable of responding and intervening in our lives. This challenges us to evaluate the focus and sincerity of our worship practices. Dependence on GodIn times of trouble, turning to God rather than man-made solutions is crucial. This teaches us to cultivate a habit of prayer and reliance on God's strength. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 46
In Isaiah 22:20-25, how does the 'key of David' symbolism align or conflict with other biblical references like Revelation 3:7?
Isaiah 36:7: Why is removing high places presented by the Rabshakeh as a sign of God's disfavor if Hezekiah's reforms were meant to honor God?
Isaiah 1:7 describes a land devoured by foreigners; is there historical or archaeological evidence confirming such devastation at the time of Isaiah?
Psalm 32:7 depicts God as a hiding place from trouble; why do devout individuals still face suffering and calamities?Verse 7. - They bear him upon the shoulder (see the comment on Isaiah 45:20). Here, however, it is not the carrying in procession that is spoken of, but the conveyance of the imago by the workman from his own workshop to the temple where it is to be set up. The carrying of heavy burdens upon the shoulder is mentioned by Herodotus (2:35), and frequently represented on ancient monuments (see 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1. pp. 402, 475; 'Herodotus,' vol. 2. pl. opp. p. 177; etc.). From his place shall he net remove; i.e. he (the god) will have no power of moving an inch from the spot on which he is set up. There he will stand motionless, till some one comes and pushes him or pulls him from his place.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew They liftיִ֠שָּׂאֻהוּ(yiś·śā·’u·hū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takeit toעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsttheir shoulderכָּתֵ֨ף(kā·ṯêp̄)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3802:The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anythingand carry it along;יִסְבְּלֻ֜הוּ(yis·bə·lu·hū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5445:To carry, be burdensome, to be gravidthey setוְיַנִּיחֻ֤הוּ(wə·yan·nî·ḥu·hū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3240:Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place,it in its place,תַחְתָּיו֙(ṯaḥ·tāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofand there it stands,וְיַֽעֲמֹ֔ד(wə·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsnotלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobudgingיָמִ֑ישׁ(yā·mîš)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4185:To depart, removefromאַף־(’ap̄-)Conjunction
Strong's 637:Meaning accession, yea, adversatively thoughthat spot.מִמְּקוֹמ֖וֹ(mim·mə·qō·w·mōw)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionThey cry outיִצְעַ֤ק(yiṣ·‘aq)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6817:To shriek, to proclaimto it,אֵלָיו֙(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tobut it does notוְלֹ֣א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noanswer;יַעֲנֶ֔ה(ya·‘ă·neh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030:To answer, respondit savesיוֹשִׁיעֶֽנּוּ׃(yō·wō·šî·‘en·nū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3467:To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succorno oneלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nofrom his troubles.מִצָּרָת֖וֹ(miṣ·ṣā·rā·ṯōw)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6869:Tightness, a female rival
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 46:7 They bear it on the shoulder they (Isa Isi Is) |
