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Isaiah 46

BSB·13 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Belבֵּל֙bêl — Babylonian deityH1078 — Full Word Study → crouchesכָּרַ֥עkā·ra‘ — to bow down, kneel, or fall to the groundH3766 — Full Word Study →; Neboנְב֔וֹnə·ḇōw — Nebo, a Babylonian god and geographical locationH5015 — Full Word Study → cowersקֹרֵ֣סqō·rês — to bend down, stoop, or bow lowH7164 — Full Word Study →. Their idolsעֲצַבֵּיהֶ֔ם‘ă·ṣab·bê·hem — Idol; carved image or object of worshipH6091 — Full Word Study → weigh down beasts and cattleוְלַבְּהֵמָ֑הwə·lab·bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →. The images you carryנְשֻׂאֹתֵיכֶ֣םnə·śu·’ō·ṯê·ḵem — burden, load, or what is carriedH5385 — Full Word Study → are burdensomeעֲמוּס֔וֹת‘ă·mū·sō·wṯ — to lift up, bear, carry a loadH6006 — Full Word Study →, a loadמַשָּׂ֖אmaś·śā — burden; a load or weight; an oracle or utteranceH4853 — Full Word Study → to the weary animal. 2The gods cowerקָרְס֤וּqā·rə·sū — to bend down, stoop, or bow lowH7164 — Full Word Study →; they crouchכָֽרְעוּ֙ḵā·rə·‘ū — to bow down, kneel, or fall to the groundH3766 — Full Word Study → togetherיַחְדָּ֔וyaḥ·dāw — together, united, as oneH3162 — Full Word Study →, unableיָכְל֖וּyā·ḵə·lū — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study → to relieveמַלֵּ֣טmal·lêṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study → the burdenמַשָּׂ֑אmaś·śā — burden; a load or weight; an oracle or utteranceH4853 — Full Word Study →; but theyוְנַפְשָׁ֖םwə·nap̄·šām — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → themselves goהָלָֽכָה׃סhā·lā·ḵāh — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → into captivityבַּשְּׁבִ֥יbaš·šə·ḇî — captivity, exile, or the captured/enslaved peopleH7628 — Full Word Study →. 3Listenשִׁמְע֤וּšim·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to Meאֵלַי֙’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, O houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Jacobיַעֲקֹ֔בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study →, allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the remnantשְׁאֵרִ֖יתšə·’ê·rîṯ — Those who remain; a surviving remnantH7611 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, who have been sustainedהַֽעֲמֻסִים֙ha·‘ă·mu·sîm — to lift up, bear, carry a loadH6006 — Full Word Study → fromמִנִּי־min·nî- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the wombבֶ֔טֶןḇe·ṭen — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study →, carried alongהַנְּשֻׂאִ֖יםhan·nə·śu·’îm — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → sinceמִנִּי־min·nî- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → birthרָֽחַם׃rā·ḥam — Compassion, mercy, womb; deep emotional affectionH7356 — Full Word Study →. 4Even toוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → your old ageזִקְנָה֙ziq·nāh — Old age, advanced years of lifeH2209 — Full Word Study →, Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will be the sameה֔וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study →, and Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will bear you upאֶסְבֹּ֑ל’es·bōl — to bear, carry, or endure a burdenH5445 — Full Word Study → whenוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → you turn grayשֵיבָ֖הšē·ḇå̄h — Gray hair; old age; hoariness of headH7872 — Full Word Study →. Iאֲנִ֤י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → have made youעָשִׂ֙יתִי֙‘ā·śî·ṯî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →, and Iוַאֲנִ֣יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will carry youאֶשָּׂ֔א’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →; Iוַאֲנִ֥יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will sustain youאֶסְבֹּ֖ל’es·bōl — to bear, carry, or endure a burdenH5445 — Full Word Study → and deliver youוַאֲמַלֵּֽט׃סwa·’ă·mal·lêṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study →. 5To whomלְמִ֥יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → will you liken Meתְדַמְי֖וּנִיṯə·ḏam·yū·nî — To resemble, liken, or compareH1819 — Full Word Study → or count Me equalוְתַשְׁו֑וּwə·ṯaš·wū — to level, equalize, make equal or suitableH7737 — Full Word Study →? To whom will you compare Meוְתַמְשִׁל֖וּנִיwə·ṯam·ši·lū·nî — To speak in parables or proverbs; to make a comparisonH4911 — Full Word Study →, that we should be alikeוְנִדְמֶֽה׃wə·niḏ·meh — To resemble, liken, or compareH1819 — Full Word Study →? 6They pour outהַזָּלִ֤יםhaz·zā·lîm — to lavish; to despise; to hold lightlyH2107 — Full Word Study → their bagsמִכִּ֔יסmik·kîs — Purse, bag, or pouch for carrying itemsH3599 — Full Word Study → of goldזָהָב֙zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → and weigh outיִשְׁקֹ֑לוּyiš·qō·lū — to weigh; to pay or reckon valueH8254 — Full Word Study → silverוְכֶ֖סֶףwə·ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → on scalesבַּקָּנֶ֣הbaq·qā·neh — reed, stalk, or branch; measuring deviceH7070 — Full Word Study →; they hireיִשְׂכְּר֤וּyiś·kə·rū — to hire, engage for wages; to earn or receive compensationH7936 — Full Word Study → a goldsmithצוֹרֵף֙ṣō·w·rêp̄ — to refine, purify, test by fireH6884 — Full Word Study → to fashion itוְיַעֲשֵׂ֣הוּwə·ya·‘ă·śê·hū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → into a godאֵ֔ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, so they can bow downיִסְגְּד֖וּyis·gə·ḏū — to bow down, prostrate oneselfH5456 — Full Word Study → andאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → worshipיִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ׃yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study →. 7They liftיִ֠שָּׂאֻהוּyiś·śā·’u·hū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → it toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their shoulderכָּתֵ֨ףkā·ṯêp̄ — shoulder; the upper body part bearing weight and responsibilityH3802 — Full Word Study → and carry it alongיִסְבְּלֻ֜הוּyis·bə·lu·hū — to bear, carry, or endure a burdenH5445 — Full Word Study →; they setוְיַנִּיחֻ֤הוּwə·yan·nî·ḥu·hū — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → it in its placeתַחְתָּיו֙ṯaḥ·tāw — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study →, and there it standsוְיַֽעֲמֹ֔דwə·ya·‘ă·mōḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →, notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → budgingיָמִ֑ישׁyā·mîš — to depart, remove, or ceaseH4185 — Full Word Study → fromאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → that spotמִמְּקוֹמ֖וֹmim·mə·qō·w·mōw — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →. They cry outיִצְעַ֤קyiṣ·‘aq — to cry out, call for help, shriekH6817 — Full Word Study → to itאֵלָיו֙’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, but it does notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → answerיַעֲנֶ֔הya·‘ă·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →; it savesיוֹשִׁיעֶֽנּוּ׃סyō·wō·šî·‘en·nū — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → no oneלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → from his troublesמִצָּרָת֖וֹmiṣ·ṣā·rā·ṯōw — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study →. 8Rememberזִכְרוּ־ziḵ·rū- — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → thisזֹ֖אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → and be braveוְהִתְאֹשָׁ֑שׁוּwə·hiṯ·’ō·šā·šū — to act or show oneself as a man; to be courageousH377 — Full Word Study →; takeהָשִׁ֥יבוּhā·šî·ḇū — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → it toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → heartלֵֽב׃lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, you transgressorsפוֹשְׁעִ֖יםp̄ō·wō·šə·‘îm — To transgress, rebel, or violate a covenant or lawH6586 — Full Word Study →! 9Rememberזִכְר֥וּziḵ·rū — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → what happenedרִאשֹׁנ֖וֹתri·šō·nō·wṯ — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → long agoמֵעוֹלָ֑םmê·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָנֹכִ֥י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am Godאֵל֙’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, and there is noוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → otherע֔וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study →; I am Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and there is none like Meכָּמֽוֹנִי׃kā·mō·w·nî — Like; according to; asH3644 — Full Word Study →. 10I declareמַגִּ֤ידmag·gîḏ — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → the endאַחֲרִ֔ית’a·ḥă·rîṯ — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → from the beginningמֵֽרֵאשִׁית֙mê·rê·šîṯ — Beginning, first, principal, chiefH7225 — Full Word Study →, and ancient times from whatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is stillלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to comeנַעֲשׂ֑וּna·‘ă·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. I sayאֹמֵר֙’ō·mêr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘My purposeעֲצָתִ֣י‘ă·ṣā·ṯî — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study → will standתָק֔וּםṯā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →, and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → My good pleasureחֶפְצִ֖יḥep̄·ṣî — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → I will accomplishאֶעֱשֶֽׂה׃’e·‘ĕ·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →.’ 11I summonקֹרֵ֤אqō·rê — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → a bird of preyעַ֔יִט‘a·yiṭ — Bird of prey; ravenous birdH5861 — Full Word Study → from the eastמִמִּזְרָח֙mim·miz·rāḥ — east; direction of the sunrise; eastern regionH4217 — Full Word Study →, a manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → for My purposeעֲצָתוֹʿă·ṣå̄·ṯō — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study → from a far-offמֶרְחָ֖קmer·ḥāq — Distance, remoteness, far placeH4801 — Full Word Study → landמֵאֶ֥רֶץmê·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. Trulyאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → I have spokenדִּבַּ֙רְתִּי֙dib·bar·tî — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, and trulyאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → I will bring it to passאֲבִיאֶ֔נָּה’ă·ḇî·’en·nāh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. I have planned itיָצַ֖רְתִּיyā·ṣar·tî — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study →, and I will surelyאַף־’ap̄- — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → do itאֶעֱשֶֽׂנָּה׃ס’e·‘ĕ·śen·nāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. 12Listenשִׁמְע֥וּšim·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to Meאֵלַ֖י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, you stubbornאַבִּ֣ירֵי’ab·bî·rê — mighty one, strong warrior, or powerful bullH47 — Full Word Study → peopleלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, far removedהָרְחוֹקִ֖יםhā·rə·ḥō·w·qîm — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study → from righteousnessמִצְּדָקָֽה׃miṣ·ṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →: 13I am bringing My righteousnessצִדְקָתִי֙ṣiḏ·qā·ṯî — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → nearקֵרַ֤בְתִּיqê·raḇ·tî — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study →; it is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → far awayתִרְחָ֔קṯir·ḥāq — to be far, remove, distance oneselfH7368 — Full Word Study →, and My salvationוּתְשׁוּעָתִ֖יū·ṯə·šū·‘ā·ṯî — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be delayedתְאַחֵ֑רṯə·’a·ḥêr — to delay, tarry, or postpone actionH309 — Full Word Study →. I will grantוְנָתַתִּ֤יwə·nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → salvationתְּשׁוּעָ֔הtə·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → to Zionבְצִיּוֹן֙ḇə·ṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study → and adorn Israel with My splendorתִּפְאַרְתִּֽי׃סtip̄·’ar·tî — Beauty, glory, splendor, or magnificenceH8597 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 46
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 46 presents a striking contrast between the impotent idols of Babylon and the almighty, faithful God of Israel. As Babylon's gods Bel and Nebo are carried away into captivity, unable to save themselves or their worshippers, the Lord declares His incomparable power and eternal care for His people. This chapter is a pastoral call to trust in God's sovereignty, His ability to sustain us throughout our entire lives, and His ability to accomplish His purposes—even when circumstances seem hopeless. It reassures exiled Israel (and us) that our God carries us; we do not carry Him.

Verses 1–2: The Collapse of Babylon's Idols

The chapter opens with a vivid image of defeat. Bel and Nebo, chief deities of Babylon, are "bowing down" and "stooping"—not in worship, but in collapse. Their idols, crafted by human hands, must be loaded onto beasts of burden for transport as the Babylonian empire falls (v. 1). But here is the irony: the idols meant to protect and deliver have become a heavy burden themselves. By verse 2, both the gods and their worshippers "go into captivity." The idols cannot deliver the load, let alone deliver the people. This sets up the entire chapter's central message: false gods are weightless, helpless, and ultimately enslaved to their own powerlessness.

Verses 3–4: God's Sustaining Care

In sharp contrast, the Lord calls Israel to remember His faithful character. He addresses them as those whom He has borne from the belly and carried from the womb (v. 3)—language emphasizing God's intimate involvement in their very existence. The promise extends across the entire lifespan: "even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you" (v. 4). Unlike idols that must be carried by their worshippers, the true God carries His people. He has made them (creation), and He will bear them (sustenance), carry them (protection), and deliver them (redemption). This is the covenant promise renewed—a God who doesn't abandon His children when they age or weaken.

Verses 5–7: The Absurdity of Idolatry

The Lord then poses a rhetorical challenge: "To whom will ye liken me?" (v. 5). None are comparable. Verses 6–7 depict the foolishness of idolatry in painful detail. Craftsmen weigh out gold and silver, fashion it into an idol, then carry it on their shoulders and set it in its place. But this god cannot move, cannot speak, and cannot save. People cry to it in trouble, yet it remains mute and powerless. The satire is devastating: humans create gods and must transport them, feed them (metaphorically), and serve them—a complete reversal of what worship should be.

Verses 8–11: God's Sovereignty Over History

Verse 8 calls the transgressors to remember and "shew yourselves men"—to act with rational clarity. God then stakes His uniqueness on His ability to declare the end from the beginning (v. 9). He alone knows and directs history. Verse 11 specifically references Cyrus, the Persian king ("a ravenous bird from the east"), whom God will raise up to execute His counsel and free Israel from captivity. This demonstrates that God's purposes stand regardless of earthly powers.

Verses 12–13: Salvation Offered to the Stubborn

The final section addresses the "stouthearted, that are far from righteousness" (v. 12). Even to those who have resisted, God offers His nearness. His righteousness and salvation will not delay; He will place salvation in Zion for Israel's glory (v. 13). This is grace extended to the reluctant.

Application for Today

We live in a culture filled with false gods—success, comfort, self-reliance, technology—that promise much but deliver nothing. Isaiah 46 invites us to shift our dependency. Our God carries us from birth to old age. He alone orchestrates history and cares intimately for His people. When anxious about the future or overwhelmed by life's burdens, remember: you don't carry God; He carries you.

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