I am the LORD; that is My name!This declaration emphasizes the personal and covenantal name of God, Yahweh, which is central to His identity and relationship with Israel. The use of "I am" connects to God's self-revelation to Moses in
Exodus 3:14, where He declares, "I AM WHO I AM." This phrase underscores God's eternal, self-existent nature. The name "LORD" (Yahweh) is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His unique position as the one true God, distinct from the gods of surrounding nations. It signifies His authority and sovereignty over all creation.
I will not yield My glory to another
God's glory refers to His supreme honor and majesty, which He will not share with any other being or entity. This statement is a direct challenge to the polytheistic beliefs of the time, where multiple deities were worshipped. It underscores the monotheistic foundation of Israel's faith, as seen in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), which declares the oneness of God. The refusal to share His glory highlights God's jealousy for His name and His desire for exclusive worship, as seen in the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).
or My praise to idols.
Idols, or graven images, were prevalent in the ancient Near East, representing various deities. This phrase condemns the practice of idolatry, which was a constant temptation for Israel, as seen throughout their history (e.g., the golden calf inExodus 32). The prophets frequently spoke against idolatry, emphasizing its futility and the living God's superiority over lifeless images (Isaiah 44:9-20). This statement reinforces the call to worship God alone, as He alone is worthy of praise and adoration. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The self-existent, eternal God of Israel, who reveals Himself as the one true God.
2.
IsaiahThe prophet through whom God delivers His message to the people of Israel.
3.
IdolsMan-made objects of worship that are contrasted with the living God.
4.
IsraelThe chosen people of God, to whom this message is originally directed.
5.
Prophetic DeclarationA divine proclamation emphasizing God's uniqueness and sovereignty.
Teaching Points
God's Unique IdentityRecognize that God reveals Himself as "the LORD," emphasizing His unique and unchanging nature.
Exclusive WorshipUnderstand that God demands exclusive worship and will not share His glory with idols or false gods.
Rejecting IdolatryIdentify modern forms of idolatry in our lives, such as materialism or self-worship, and commit to removing them.
God's GloryReflect on the glory of God as revealed in creation, scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ.
Living for God's PraiseLive in a way that brings praise to God, aligning our actions and priorities with His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 42:8?
2.How does Isaiah 42:8 emphasize God's exclusivity in receiving glory and worship?
3.What does "My glory I will not give to another" teach us?
4.How can Isaiah 42:8 guide us in avoiding idolatry in daily life?
5.Connect Isaiah 42:8 with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3.
6.How should Isaiah 42:8 influence our understanding of God's character and sovereignty?
7.What does Isaiah 42:8 reveal about God's view on sharing His glory with others?
8.How does Isaiah 42:8 challenge the concept of idolatry in today's world?
9.Why is God's name emphasized in Isaiah 42:8, and what significance does it hold?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 42?
11.What does "I will not give my glory to another" mean?
12.What does 'I will not give my glory to another' mean?
13.Is God excessively self-centered?
14.Does God share His glory with others?What Does Isaiah 42:8 Mean
I am the LORD“ ‘I am the LORD;’ ” (Isaiah 42:8a)
• The declaration is absolute. God identifies Himself with the same covenant name He used when He sent Moses: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
• This name sets Him apart from every created thing. “There is no God but Me” (Isaiah 45:5–6).
• It reassures His people that the One speaking is the unchanging, faithful God who delivered Israel (Exodus 6:2–3) and who still rules over all nations (Psalm 22:28).
• For believers today, the claim echoes into the New Testament as Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58), revealing the same divine identity.
that is My name!“ ‘…that is My name!’ ” (Isaiah 42:8b)
• God stresses that His personal name is not a title humans may reassign or redefine.
• Throughout Scripture He guards His name: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:7).
• His name represents His character—holy, just, merciful. “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious…” (Exodus 34:5–7).
• Trusting in His name brings security: “Those who know Your name trust in You” (Psalm 9:10).
I will not yield My glory to another“ ‘I will not yield My glory to another…’ ” (Isaiah 42:8c)
• God’s glory is the radiant display of who He is—His majesty, power, and perfection (Psalm 19:1).
• He alone deserves ultimate honor: “For My own sake—for My own sake—I will act… I will not give My glory to another” (Isaiah 48:11).
• Sharing that glory would deny His very nature and mislead creation. “Who is like the LORD? There is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
• In redemption, God’s glory shines supremely in Christ: “Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:5). Even then, the glory remains within the Godhead; it is not surrendered to a created being.
or My praise to idols“ ‘…or My praise to idols.’ ” (Isaiah 42:8d)
• Idols—whether carved images (Psalm 115:4–8) or modern substitutes—are powerless. Worshiping them robs God of the praise due Him.
• The first two commandments forbid idolatry (Exodus 20:3–5). Isaiah ridicules the folly of trusting in a block of wood (Isaiah 44:9–20).
• Turning from idols to the living God is essential: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21); “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14).
• God’s refusal to share His praise protects us. When we center our lives on Him, we find the joy and purpose false gods can never supply (Romans 1:22–23 vs. 11:36).
summaryIsaiah 42:8 proclaims the exclusive sovereignty of the LORD. He alone is God; His personal name reveals an unchanging, covenant-keeping character. Because He is uniquely glorious, He will not divest His honor or allow it to be rightly given elsewhere. Any idol—ancient statue or modern obsession—steals worship that belongs to Him and leaves people empty. Embracing the truth of this verse calls us to wholehearted devotion, confident that all glory and praise rightly center on the LORD, now and forever.
(8, 9)
I am the Lord. . . .--The prophet grasps the full meaning of the name revealed in
Exodus 3:15. It follows from that meaning that God cannot look with indifference on the transfer to the "graven image" of the worship due to Him. With his vision of Cyrus still present to his thoughts, the prophet again presses the unique point of prediction as distinguishing the religion of Israel from that of the heathen. The "former things" refer probably not to the remote past, but to Isaiah's earlier prophecies, say the whole Assyrian cycle, on which he now looks back from his new stand-point; or even, as in
Isaiah 41:22, to the near future of the conquests of Cyrus as compared with that which was to usher in the restoration of Israel.
Verse 8. -
I am the Lord; rather,
Ithe Lord. The sense runs on from the preceding verses: "
I, the Lord, will do all this, I who am all that the Name" Jehovah' signifies - self-existent, eternal, self-sufficing, independent, omnipotent, and therefore unique, one whose glory cannot be shared with any other being that
exists - least of all with images, which are mere vanity and nothingness."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Iאֲנִ֥י(’ă·nî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Iam the LORD;יְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelthatה֣וּא(hū)Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, areis My name!שְׁמִ֑י(šə·mî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034:A nameI will notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nogiveאֶתֵּ֔ן(’et·tên)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setMy gloryוּכְבוֹדִי֙(ū·ḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3519:Weight, splendor, copiousnessto anotherלְאַחֵ֣ר(lə·’a·ḥêr)Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 312:Hinder, next, otheror My praiseוּתְהִלָּתִ֖י(ū·ṯə·hil·lā·ṯî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8416:Praise, song of praiseto idols.לַפְּסִילִֽים׃(lap·pə·sî·lîm)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6456:An idol, image
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:8 I am Yahweh (Isa Isi Is)