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Selected Verse: Isaiah 44:9 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 44:9	Strong Concordance	They that make [03335] a graven image [06459] are all of them vanity [08414]; and their delectable things [02530] shall not profit [03276]; and they are their own witnesses [05707]; they see [07200] not, nor know [03045]; that they may be ashamed [0954].
	King James	They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
(Isa 40:18, Isa 40:20; Isa 41:29). delectable things--the idols in which they take such pride and delight. not profit-- (Hab 2:18). they are their own witnesses--contrasted with, "Ye are My witnesses" (Isa 44:8). "They," that is, both the makers and the idols, are witnesses against themselves, for the idols palpably see and know nothing (Psa 115:4-8). that they may be ashamed--the consequence deducible from the whole previous argument, not merely from the words immediately preceding, as in Isa 28:13; Isa 36:12. I say all this to show that they are doomed to perish with shame, which is their only fitting end.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

(Isa 40:18, Isa 40:20; Isa 41:29).

delectable things--the idols in which they take such pride and delight.

not profit-- (Hab 2:18).

they are their own witnesses--contrasted with, "Ye are My witnesses" (Isa 44:8). "They," that is, both the makers and the idols, are witnesses against themselves, for the idols palpably see and know nothing (Psa 115:4-8).

that they may be ashamed--the consequence deducible from the whole previous argument, not merely from the words immediately preceding, as in Isa 28:13; Isa 36:12. I say all this to show that they are doomed to perish with shame, which is their only fitting end.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
They that make a graven image - A graven image is one that is cut, or sculptured out of wood or stone, in contradistinction from one that is molten, which is made by being cast. Here it is used to denote an image, or an idol-god in general. God had asserted in the previous verses his own divinity, and he now proceeds to show, at length, the vanity of idols, and of idol-worship. This same topic was introduced in Isa 40:18-20 (see the notes at that passage), but it is here pursued at greater length, and in a tone and manner far more sarcastic and severe. Perhaps the prophet had two immediate objects in view; first, to reprove the idolatrous spirit in his own time, which prevailed especially in the early part of the reign of Manasseh; and secondly, to show to the exile Jews in Babylon that the gods of the Babylonians could not protect their city, and that Yahweh could rescue his own people. He begins, therefore, by saying, that the makers of the idols were all of them vanity. Of course, the idols themselves could have no more power than their makers, and must be vanity also. Are all of them vanity - (See the note at Isa 41:29). And their delectable things - Margin, 'Desirable.' The sense is, their valued works, their idol-gods, on which they have lavished so much expense, and which they prize so highly. Shall not profit - Shall not be able to aid or protect them; shall be of no advantage to them (see Hab 2:18). And they are their own witnesses - They can foretell nothing; they can furnish no aid; they cannot defend in times of danger. This may refer either to the worshippers, or to the idols themselves - and was alike true of both. They see not - They have no power of discerning anything. How can they then foresee future events? That they may be ashamed - The same sentiment is repeated in Isa 44:11, and in Isa 45:16. The sense is, that shame and confusion must await all who put their trust in an idol-god.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The heathen gods are so far from being a ground of trust, that all who trust in them must discover with alarm how they have deceived themselves. "The makers of idols, they are all desolation, and their bosom-children worthless; and those who bear witness for them see nothing and know nothing, that they may be put to shame. Who hath formed the god, and cast the idol to no profit? Behold, all its followers will be put to shame; and the workmen are men: let them all assemble together, draw near, be alarmed, be all put to shame together." The chămūdı̄m (favourites) of the makers of idols are the false gods, for whose favour they sue with such earnestness. If we retain the word המּה, which is pointed as critically suspicious, and therefore is not accentuated, the explanation might possibly be, "Their witnesses (i.e., witnesses against themselves) are they (the idols): they see not, and are without consciousness, that they (those who trust in them) may be put to shame." In any case, the subject to yēbhōshū (shall be put to shame) is the worshippers of idols. If we erase המה, (עדיהם will be those who come forward as witnesses for the idols. This makes the words easier and less ambiguous. At the same time, the Septuagint retains the word (καὶ μάρτυρες αὐτῶν εἰσίν). As "not seeing" here signifies to be blind, so "not knowing" is also to be understood as a self-contained expression, meaning to be irrational, just as in Isa 45:20; Isa 56:10 (in Isa 1:3, on the other hand, we have taken it in a different sense). למען implies that the will of the sinner in his sin has also destruction for its object; and this is not something added to the sin, but growing out of it. The question in Isa 44:10 summons the maker of idols for the purpose of announcing his fate, and in הועיל לבלתּי (to no profit) this announcement is already contained. Isa 44:11 is simply a development of this expression, "to no profit." יצר, like נטע in Isa 44:14, is contrary to the rhythmical law milra which prevails elsewhere. חבריו (its followers) are not the fellow-workmen of the maker of idols (inasmuch as in that case the maker himself would be left without any share in the threat), but the associates (i.e., followers) of the idols (Hos 4:17; Co1 10:20). It is a pernicious work that they have thus had done for them. And what of the makers themselves? They are numbered among the men. So that they who ought to know that they are made by God, become makers of gods themselves. What an absurdity! Let them crowd together, the whole guild of god-makers, and draw near to speak to the works they have made. All their eyes will soon be opened with amazement and alarm.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Delectable things - Their idols, in which they take so much pleasure. They - They that make them, are witnesses against themselves, and against their idols, because they know they are the work of their own hands. See not - Have neither sense nor understanding, therefore they have just cause to be ashamed of their folly, in worshipping such senseless things.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
That they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god "That every one may be ashamed, that he hath formed a god" - The Bodleian MS., one of the first extant for its antiquity and authority, instead of מי mi, at the beginning of the tenth verse, has כי ki, which greatly clears up the construction of a very obscure passage. Doederlein approves of this reading. The Septuagint likewise closely connect in construction the end of Isa 44:9 with the beginning of Isa 44:10; and wholly omit the interrogative מי mi, which embarrasses the sentence: Αισχυνθησονται οἱ πλασσοντες Θεον, και γλυφοντες παντες ανωφελη· "But they shall be confounded that make a god; and they who engrave unprofitable things;" agreeably to the reading of the MS. above mentioned.

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¹² But Rabshakeh [07262] said [0559], Hath my master [0113] sent [07971] me to thy master [0113] and to thee to speak [01696] these words [01697]? hath he not sent me to the men [0582] that sit [03427] upon the wall [02346], that they may eat [0398] their own dung [02716] [06675], and drink [08354] their own piss [04325] [07272] [07890] with you?

¹³ But the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] was unto them precept [06673] upon precept [06673], precept [06673] upon precept [06673]; line [06957] upon line [06957], line [06957] upon line [06957]; here a little [02191], and there a little [02191]; that they might go [03212], and fall [03782] backward [0268], and be broken [07665], and snared [03369], and taken [03920].

⁴ Their idols [06091] are silver [03701] and gold [02091], the work [04639] of men's [0120] hands [03027].
⁵ They have mouths [06310], but they speak [01696] not: eyes [05869] have they, but they see [07200] not:
⁶ They have ears [0241], but they hear [08085] not: noses [0639] have they, but they smell [07306] not:
⁷ They have hands [03027], but they handle [04184] not: feet [07272] have they, but they walk [01980] not: neither speak [01897] they through their throat [01627].
⁸ They that make [06213] them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth [0982] in them.

⁸ Fear [06342] ye not, neither be afraid [07297] [07297]: have not I told [08085] thee from that time [0227], and have declared [05046] it? ye are even my witnesses [05707]. Is there [03426] a God [0433] beside [01107] me? yea, there is no God [06697]; I know [03045] not any.

¹⁸ What profiteth [03276] the graven image [06459] that the maker [03335] thereof hath graven [06458] it; the molten image [04541], and a teacher [03384] of lies [08267], that the maker [03335] of his work [03336] trusteth [0982] therein, to make [06213] dumb [0483] idols [0457]?

²⁹ Behold, they are all vanity [0205]; their works [04639] are nothing [0657]: their molten images [05262] are wind [07307] and confusion [08414].

²⁰ He that is so impoverished [05533] [05534] that he hath no oblation [08641] chooseth [0977] a tree [06086] that will not rot [07537]; he seeketh [01245] unto him a cunning [02450] workman [02796] to prepare [03559] a graven image [06459], that shall not be moved [04131].

¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken [01819] God [0410]? or what likeness [01823] will ye compare [06186] unto him?

¹⁶ They shall be ashamed [0954], and also confounded [03637], all of them: they shall go [01980] to confusion [03639] together [03162] that are makers [02796] of idols [06736].

¹¹ Behold, all his fellows [02270] shall be ashamed [0954]: and the workmen [02796], they are of men [0120]: let them all be gathered together [06908], let them stand up [05975]; yet they shall fear [06342], and they shall be ashamed [0954] together [03162].

²⁹ Behold, they are all vanity [0205]; their works [04639] are nothing [0657]: their molten images [05262] are wind [07307] and confusion [08414].

¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken [01819] God [0410]? or what likeness [01823] will ye compare [06186] unto him?
¹⁹ The workman [02796] melteth [05258] a graven image [06459], and the goldsmith [06884] spreadeth [07554] it over with gold [02091], and casteth [06884] silver [03701] chains [07577].
²⁰ He that is so impoverished [05533] [05534] that he hath no oblation [08641] chooseth [0977] a tree [06086] that will not rot [07537]; he seeketh [01245] unto him a cunning [02450] workman [02796] to prepare [03559] a graven image [06459], that shall not be moved [04131].

²⁰ But [235] I say, that [3754] the things which [3739] the Gentiles [1484] sacrifice [2380], they sacrifice [2380] to devils [1140], and [2532] not [3756] to God [2316]: and [1161] I would [2309] not [3756] that ye [5209] should have [1096] fellowship [2844] with devils [1140].

¹⁷ Ephraim [0669] is joined [02266] to idols [06091]: let him alone [03240].

¹⁴ He heweth him down [03772] cedars [0730], and taketh [03947] the cypress [08645] and the oak [0437], which he strengtheneth [0553] for himself among the trees [06086] of the forest [03293]: he planteth [05193] an ash [0766], and the rain [01653] doth nourish [01431] it.

¹⁰ Who hath formed [03335] a god [0410], or molten [05258] a graven image [06459] that is profitable [03276] for nothing [01115]?

³ The ox [07794] knoweth [03045] his owner [07069], and the ass [02543] his master's [01167] crib [018]: but Israel [03478] doth not know [03045], my people [05971] doth not consider [0995].

¹⁰ His watchmen [06822] are blind [05787]: they are all ignorant [03045], they are all dumb [0483] dogs [03611], they cannot [03201] bark [05024]; sleeping [01957], lying down [07901], loving [0157] to slumber [05123].

²⁰ Assemble [06908] yourselves and come [0935]; draw near [05066] together [03162], ye that are escaped [06412] of the nations [01471]: they have no knowledge [03045] that set up [05375] the wood [06086] of their graven image [06459], and pray [06419] unto a god [0410] that cannot save [03467].

¹⁰ Who hath formed [03335] a god [0410], or molten [05258] a graven image [06459] that is profitable [03276] for nothing [01115]?

⁹ They that make [03335] a graven image [06459] are all of them vanity [08414]; and their delectable things [02530] shall not profit [03276]; and they are their own witnesses [05707]; they see [07200] not, nor know [03045]; that they may be ashamed [0954].