Isaiah Chapter 46

Babylon's Idols

1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

7They 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.

8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Babylon’s Idols

1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary.

2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity.

3 “Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;

4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.

5 “To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down—yes, they worship.

7 They 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.

8 “Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;

10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.

12 Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness:

13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Babylon’s Idols

1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers.

Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle.

The images you carry are burdensome,

a load to the weary animal.

2 The gods cower; they crouch together,

unable to relieve the burden;

but they themselves go into captivity.

3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,

all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been sustained from the womb,

carried along since birth.

4 Even to your old age, I will be the same,

and I will bear you up when you turn gray.

I have made you, and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and deliver you.

5 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal?

To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

6 They 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.

7 They 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.

8 Remember this and be brave;

take it to heart, you transgressors!

9 Remember what happened long ago,

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like Me.

10 I declare the end from the beginning,

and ancient times from what is still to come.

I say, ‘My purpose will stand,

and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

11 I summon a bird of prey from the east,

a man for My purpose from a far-off land.

Truly I have spoken,

and truly I will bring it to pass.

I have planned it,

and I will surely do it.

12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people,

far removed from righteousness:

13 I am bringing My righteousness near;

it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed.

I will grant salvation to Zion

and adorn Israel with My splendor.

Babylon's Idols

1Bowed down hath Bel, stooping is Nebo, Their idols have been for the beast and for cattle, Your burdens are loaded, a burden to the weary.

2They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And themselves into captivity have gone.

3Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of Israel, Who are borne from the belly, Who are carried from the womb,

4Even to old age I am He, and to grey hairs I carry, I made, and I bear, yea, I carry and deliver.

5To whom do ye liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?

6 -- They are pouring out gold from a bag, And silver on the beam they weigh, They hire a refiner, and he maketh it a god, They fall down, yea, they bow themselves.

7They 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.

8Remember this, and shew yourselves men, Turn it back, O transgressors, to the heart.

9Remember former things of old, For I am Mighty, and there is none else, God -- and there is none like Me.

10Declaring from the beginning the latter end, And from of old that which hath not been done, Saying, 'My counsel doth stand, And all My delight I do.'

11Calling from the east a ravenous bird, From a far land the man of My counsel, Yea, I have spoken, yea, I bring it in, I have formed it, yea, I do it.

12Hearken unto Me, ye mighty in heart, Who are far from righteousness.

13I have brought near My righteousness, It is not far off, And My salvation -- it doth not tarry, And I have given in Zion salvation, To Israel My glory!

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Isaiah 46?

1.1Introduction to Isaiah 46

1.2Context of Isaiah 46

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Isaiah 46 Unique Insights

1.6Isaiah 46 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Isaiah 46 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Isaiah 46 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Isaiah 46?

Introduction to Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46 stands as a powerful declaration of God’s supremacy over the false idols of Babylon and His unwavering commitment to Israel’s redemption. This chapter presents a striking contrast between the helpless gods of Babylon, who must be carried by their worshippers, and יהוה (Yahweh), who has carried His people from birth and promises to continue carrying them into their old age. The imagery is particularly poignant as it was written during a time when Babylon’s religious processions would display their idols being carried through the streets, while the true God demonstrates His power by carrying His people through their trials.

Context of Isaiah 46

This chapter falls within the second major section of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), which focuses on comfort and redemption for God’s people. More specifically, it belongs to a series of prophecies (chapters 44-48) that address the future fall of Babylon and God’s use of Cyrus as His instrument for Israel’s deliverance. The immediate context follows Isaiah 45’s proclamation of Cyrus as God’s anointed one and precedes chapter 47’s declaration of judgment against Babylon.

The larger biblical narrative places this chapter at a crucial juncture in salvation history. Written approximately 150 years before Babylon’s fall to Cyrus, these prophecies would serve as both warning and comfort to the future exiles. The themes presented here – God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and redemptive purpose – echo throughout Scripture, from the Exodus narrative to the ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s work of salvation.

This chapter also serves as a powerful polemic against idolatry, a theme that runs throughout the Tanakh and into the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). The contrast between the true God and false idols presented here finds its ultimate resolution in Yeshua the Messiah, who would not only fulfill God’s promises but also demonstrate what it truly means for God to carry His people.

Ancient Key Word Study

נשא (nasa) – “to carry/lift up” (verses 1, 3, 4, 7): This word carries deep significance as it’s used both to describe the burdensome carrying of idols and God’s gracious carrying of His people. The root appears in contexts of bearing burdens, lifting up in worship, and taking away sin, foreshadowing the Messiah’s work.
סבל (sabal) – “to bear/carry a heavy load” (verses 4, 7): This term emphasizes the weight and burden involved. When applied to God’s care for Israel, it demonstrates His strength and willingness to bear their burdens, pointing forward to Isaiah 53:4 where the Suffering Servant bears our griefs.
פלט (palat) – “to deliver/rescue” (verse 4): Used in contexts of divine deliverance, this word carries connotations of bringing to safety and security. It’s part of a word family that includes refuge and escape, emphasizing God’s role as Savior.
דמה (damah) – “to compare/liken” (verse 5): This root challenges the very notion of comparing anything to God, emphasizing His incomparable nature. It’s used in contexts of analogies and parables but here serves to highlight divine uniqueness.
עצה (etsah) – “counsel/purpose” (verse 10): This term refers to both the plan itself and the wisdom behind it. When applied to God, it indicates His sovereign purposes that cannot be thwarted, connecting to His eternal plan of redemption.
עיט (ayit) – “bird of prey” (verse 11): Used metaphorically for Cyrus, this word pictures a swift, purposeful agent of God’s will. The imagery suggests both precision and inevitability in God’s plans.
צדקה (tsedaqah) – “righteousness” (verse 12): This crucial term encompasses both justice and salvation in Isaiah’s usage. It points to God’s faithful adherence to His covenant promises and His work of making things right.
תשועה (teshuah) – “salvation” (verse 13): This word carries connotations of both military and spiritual deliverance, ultimately pointing to God’s comprehensive work of redemption through the Messiah.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1’s use of “בל” (Bel) and “נבו” (Nebo) specifically names Babylon’s chief deities, rather than using generic terms for idols. This choice emphasizes the direct confrontation between יהוה and the specific gods that held sway over the world’s greatest empire, demonstrating that even the most powerful false gods are nothing before Him.
The phrase “from the womb” in verse 3 uses “מני־בטן” rather than the more common “מרחם”, emphasizing the intimate nature of God’s care from the very beginning of Israel’s existence. This choice of words creates a mother-like image of God’s tender care.
In verse 4, the repetition of “I am He” (אני הוא) echoes the divine self-revelation formula, deliberately contrasting with the lifeless nature of idols. This phrase connects to Yeshua’s “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel.
The bird of prey imagery in verse 11 uses “עיט” rather than the more common “נשר” (eagle), emphasizing the predatory and swift nature of God’s chosen instrument (Cyrus), highlighting divine sovereignty in using even pagan kings.
Verse 12’s address to the “stubborn of heart” uses “אבירי לב” (mighty of heart) rather than the more common “קשי לב” (hard of heart), suggesting not just resistance but active opposition to righteousness.

Isaiah 46 Unique Insights

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The chapter presents a fascinating reversal of the ancient Near Eastern concept of divine images. In Babylonian theology, idol processions were seen as the gods blessing their people by being present among them. However, Isaiah turns this imagery on its head – instead of the people carrying their gods, the true God carries His people. This complete inversion would have been shocking to ancient hearers and demonstrates the radical nature of biblical faith.

Early rabbinical sources, particularly the Targum Jonathan, see in this chapter a profound connection to the Exodus narrative. The reference to God carrying Israel “from the womb” is linked to the nation’s birth at the Red Sea crossing. This interpretation gains special significance when we consider that the future deliverance from Babylon is presented as a new Exodus, with both events pointing forward to the ultimate redemption through the Messiah.

The Midrash Tanchuma draws attention to the phrase “even to hoar hairs” in verse 4, seeing it as a promise that extends beyond national preservation to individual care. This personal dimension of God’s carrying activity finds its fullest expression in the Messiah’s individual care for His followers, as expressed in Matthew 11:28-30.

Isaiah 46 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s emphasis on God carrying His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. Just as יהוה promises to carry Israel “even to your old age,” Yeshua demonstrates this divine characteristic by bearing our sins and carrying our sorrows. The Good Shepherd imagery that Yeshua applies to Himself in John 10 directly parallels this chapter’s picture of God’s carrying activity.

The declaration that salvation “will not delay” (verse 13) points forward to the Messiah’s first coming, where God’s righteousness was revealed in Yeshua, and His second coming, where this salvation will reach its complete fulfillment. The placement of salvation “in Zion” anticipates both the work of redemption accomplished in Jerusalem and the future establishment of Messiah’s kingdom.

Isaiah 46 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s themes resonate throughout Scripture, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected truth. The contrast between the true God and idols echoes Psalm 115, where the inability of idols to move without being carried is similarly mocked. The promise of God carrying His people recalls Deuteronomy 1:31, where God is described as carrying Israel through the wilderness “as a father carries his son.”

The declaration of God’s unique deity and His sovereign purposes connects with Isaiah 45:5-7 and finds fulfillment in passages like Philippians 2:9-11. The theme of God declaring the end from the beginning parallels Revelation 1:8, where Yeshua declares Himself the Alpha and Omega.

Isaiah 46 Devotional

This chapter calls us to examine where we place our trust. Just as the Babylonians invested their hopes in gods they had to carry, we often rely on things that ultimately burden us rather than bear our burdens. The invitation is to experience the freedom of being carried by God rather than carrying the weight of self-reliance or false dependencies.

God’s promise to carry us “even to your old age” offers profound comfort in a world that often devalues the elderly. This reassurance of God’s faithful care throughout our entire lives challenges us to trust Him in every season, knowing that His commitment to us never wavers.

The emphasis on God declaring “the end from the beginning” encourages us to trust His sovereign purposes even when we can’t see how current circumstances serve His plan. Just as He used Cyrus – a pagan king – to accomplish His purposes, He can use any situation in our lives to fulfill His good plans for us.

Did You Know

The name “Bel” mentioned in verse 1 is a title meaning “lord” and was applied to Marduk, the chief god of Babylon. This same root appears in names like Belshazzar and shows how deeply embedded idol worship was in Babylonian culture.
The processions of idol worship mentioned in this chapter typically occurred during the Babylonian New Year festival, called Akitu, where the statues of gods would be carried through the streets in an elaborate ceremony.
The reference to “bird of prey from the east” is one of several animal metaphors used for Cyrus in Isaiah, each emphasizing different aspects of his role in God’s plan.
The phrase “stubbornness of heart” uses a Hebrew idiom that literally means “mighty of heart,” suggesting not just resistance but active opposition to God’s ways.
The promise to carry “even to hoar hairs” uses a rare Hebrew term that specifically refers to the gray hair of advanced age, emphasizing God’s care through every stage of life.
The declaration of “declaring the end from the beginning” uses a literary device common in Isaiah called merism, where two opposites are used to express totality.
The placement of salvation “in Zion” connects with numerous other prophecies about Jerusalem’s role in God’s redemptive plan, creating a complex web of messianic expectation.
The contrast between carried gods and the carrying God would have been particularly powerful in ancient Near Eastern culture, where the ability to move was seen as a sign of divine power.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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