Isaiah 17:8
Isaiah 17:8 in Multiple Translations
They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
And they shall not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they have respect to that which their fingers have made, either the Asherim, or the sun-images.
He will not be looking to the altars, the work of his hands, or to the wood pillars or to the sun-images which his fingers have made.
They won't believe in the altars they built and the idols they made; they will not look to the Asherah poles or the altars of incense.
And hee shall not looke to the altars, the workes of his owne hands, neither shall he looke to those thinges, which his owne fingers haue made, as groues and images.
And he looketh not unto the altars. The work of his own hands, And that which his own fingers made He seeth not — the shrines and the images.
They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they respect that which their fingers have made, either the Asherah poles or the incense altars.
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
And he shall not look to the altars which his hands made: and he shall not have respect to the things that his fingers wrought, such as groves and temples.
You will no longer seek to get help from your idols or worship the idols that you have made with your own hands [DOU]. You will never again bow down in front of the poles where you worship the goddess Asherah. You will never again worship at the shrines that you have built for burning incense.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 17:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 17:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לֹ֣א
יִשְׁעֶ֔ה
אֶל
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֖וֹת
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
יָדָ֑י/ו
וַ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
עָשׂ֤וּ
אֶצְבְּעֹתָי/ו֙
לֹ֣א
יִרְאֶ֔ה
וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים
וְ/הָ/חַמָּנִֽים
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יִשְׁעֶ֔ה
shâʻâh
H8159
to gaze
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֖וֹת
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Art | N-mp
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
maʻăseh
H4639
deed
N-ms
יָדָ֑י/ו
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
וַ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Conj | Rel
עָשׂ֤וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶצְבְּעֹתָי/ו֙
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
finger
N-fp | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִרְאֶ֔ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים
ʼăshêrâh
H842
Asherah
Conj | Art | N-proper
וְ/הָ/חַמָּנִֽים
chammân
H2553
pillar
Conj | Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 17:8
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִשְׁעֶ֔ה
shâʻâh
H8159
"to gaze"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To gaze means to look carefully or intensely at something, often seeking help or guidance, like the Psalmist in Psalm 121:1-2.
Definition: 1) to look at or to, regard, gaze at or about 1a) (Qal) to gaze at, regard, behold, look about 1b) (Hiphil) to look away, cause gaze to turn away 1c) (Hithpael) to look in dismay, gaze about (in anxiety)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn. See also: Genesis 4:4; Psalms 119:117; Psalms 39:14.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֖וֹת
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Art | N-mp
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
maʻăseh
H4639
"deed"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
יָדָ֑י/ו
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וַ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Conj | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשׂ֤וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶצְבְּעֹתָי/ו֙
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
"finger"
N-fp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word refers to a finger or a toe, something used to grasp or hold things. It is used in the Bible to describe both the fingers on the hand and the toes on the feet. The Aramaic equivalent is also 'digit'.
Definition: finger, toe Aramaic equivalent: ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "digit" H0677)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: finger, toe. See also: Exodus 8:15; Numbers 19:4; Psalms 8:4.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִרְאֶ֔ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֖ים
ʼăshêrâh
H842
"Asherah"
Conj | Art | N-proper
Asherah was a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, often represented by a tree or pole near an altar. The Bible warns against worshipping her, as in Deuteronomy and Judges. She was considered a consort of Baal.
Definition: § Ashera(h) = "groves (for idol worship)" a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images her images sacred trees or poles set up near an altar
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: grove. Compare H6253 (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת). See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Kings 23:4; Isaiah 17:8.
וְ/הָ/חַמָּנִֽים
chammân
H2553
"pillar"
Conj | Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to an idol or image used in worship, often associated with sun pillars. It appears in books like Ezekiel and Amos, condemning idolatrous practices. The prophets denounced such idols as false gods.
Definition: 1) incense altar, sun-pillar, idol, image 1a) used in idolatrous worship
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: idol, image. See also: Leviticus 26:30; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9.
Study Notes — Isaiah 17:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 17:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 17:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 17:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 17:8
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 17:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
- Sermons on Isaiah 17:8
Context — The Burden against Damascus
6Yet gleanings will remain, like an olive tree that has been beaten— two or three berries atop the tree, four or five on its fruitful branches,” declares the LORD, the God of Israel.
7In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
8They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.
9In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken thickets and summits, abandoned to the Israelites and to utter desolation. 10For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and failed to remember the Rock of your refuge. Therefore, though you cultivate delightful plots and set out cuttings from exotic vines—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 30:22 | So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!” |
| 2 | Isaiah 27:9 | Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing. |
| 3 | Isaiah 2:8 | Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. |
| 4 | Micah 5:13–14 | I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. |
| 5 | Hosea 13:1–2 | When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 34:4 | Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 14:5 | He also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and under him the kingdom was at peace. |
| 8 | Hosea 14:8 | O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me. |
| 9 | Isaiah 2:18–21 | and the idols will vanish completely. Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold— the idols they made to worship. They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. |
| 10 | Zechariah 13:2 | And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. |
Isaiah 17:8 Summary
[Isaiah 17:8 tells us that God's people will stop looking to the idols and altars they created with their own hands, and instead turn to the one true God, their Maker, as seen in Isaiah 17:7. This means that we should not put our trust in things we have made or accomplished, but rather in the God who created us, as stated in Psalm 95:6 and Acts 14:15. By recognizing our tendency to create our own idols, we can begin to shift our focus to the God who loves and saves us, as encouraged in 1 John 4:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Asherahs and incense altars in Isaiah 17:8?
Asherahs were idols worshipped by the ancient Israelites, often associated with fertility and sexual immorality, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:21-22 and 1 Kings 15:13, while incense altars were used for burning offerings to these idols, as mentioned in Isaiah 17:8 and Ezekiel 8:11.
Why did God's people create their own altars and idols?
The Israelites created their own altars and idols because they had forgotten the one true God of their salvation, as stated in Isaiah 17:10, and instead sought to worship and find comfort in their own creations, similar to the idolatry described in Romans 1:25.
What is the significance of 'looking to their Maker' in the context of Isaiah 17:8?
Looking to their Maker, as mentioned in Isaiah 17:7, means recognizing and acknowledging God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and turning away from idolatry and self-worship, as encouraged in Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:24-25.
How does this verse relate to our modern-day struggles with idolatry?
This verse serves as a reminder that we can easily create our own idols and distractions, whether it be wealth, status, or entertainment, as warned in 1 John 5:21 and Matthew 6:24, and that we must continually turn our eyes to the one true God, our Maker and Savior, as seen in Hebrews 12:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day 'altars' or 'idols' that I may be unknowingly worshiping, and how can I redirect my focus to the one true God?
- In what ways can I 'look to my Maker' today, and what are some practical steps I can take to prioritize my relationship with God?
- How does the concept of 'looking to their Maker' in Isaiah 17:7 relate to my own journey of faith, and what are some areas where I need to surrender my self-reliance and trust in God?
- What are some 'strong cities' or 'delightful plots' in my life that may be distracting me from my relationship with God, and how can I surrender them to Him, as seen in Isaiah 17:9-10?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 17:8
And he shall not took to the altars, the work of his hands,.... That is, to altars erected to the worship of idols, which are both the works of men's hands, so as to serve at them, and sacrifice upon them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 17:8
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
Not look to the altars; not resort or trust to them, or to the worship offered to idols upon them. The work of his hands; their own inventions; for otherwise the altars made by God’ s command were the work of men’ s hands. The groves, which were devised and planted by men, as fit places for the worship of their gods; and therefore were forbidden, . The images, worshipped in their groves. The word properly signifies images of the sun, either having the form and shape of the sun, or at least erected to his honour and worship; of which see 17:3 ,11 Jer 8:2 7:18 44:17,18.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
Isaiah 17:8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.Ver. 8. And he shall not look to the altars.] As, having looked before to his Maker with a single eye, with an eye of adamant, that will turn only to one point. See on Hosea 14:8.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
(8) The groves or the images.—Literally, the Asherah or the sun-images. The former were conical, tree-like pillars which symbolised the worship of a Canaanite goddess, the giver of good fortune. (See Notes on 2 Kings 21:7; 2 Chronicles 34:3-7.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
Verse 8. The altars, the work of his hands - "The altars dedicated to the work of his hands"] The construction of the words, and the meaning of the sentence, in this place are not obvious; all the ancient Versions, and most of the modern, have mistaken it. The word מעשה maaseh, "the work," stands in regimine with מזבחות mizbechoth, "altars," not in opposition to it; it means the, altars of the work of their hand; that is of the idols, which are the work of their hands. Thus Kimchi has explained it, and Le Clerc has followed him.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 17:8
8. the work of his hands … that which his fingers have made] phrases used of idols in ch. Isaiah 2:8; Isaiah 2:20, Isaiah 31:7. the altars … either the groves or the images] These words overburden the rhythm of the verse and are probably explanatory glosses. An allusion to the brazen-altar of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:10-13) is far-fetched, even if not absolutely excluded by the date. The two last-mentioned objects are never referred to elsewhere by Isaiah. the groves] R.V., rightly, the Asherim. The Ashηrah or Sacred Pole was an emblem of divinity which seems to have stood regularly by the side of the altar in a Canaanitish sanctuary (Judges 6:13; Judges 6:25; Deuteronomy 16:21; 2 Kings 18:4, &c.). It is regarded by some as an artificial survival of the sacred tree, under which the altar stood; by others as the symbol (or image) of a goddess of the same name. Whether a goddess Ashηrah was actually worshipped is a much controverted point; if so, she was probably nothing more than an impersonation of the material symbol here referred to. (See Robertson Smith, Relig. of the Semites, Revd. Ed. pp. 187 ff.) images] probably sun-pillars: R.V. “sun-images.” The word (ḥ ?ammβnξm, pl.) only occurs in ch. Isaiah 27:9; 2 Chronicles 14:5; 2 Chronicles 34:4; 2 Chronicles 34:7; Ezekiel 6:4; Ezekiel 6:6; Leviticus 26:30.
It seems to be connected with Baal-Ḥ ?ammβn, a Ph�nician deity (best known from the Carthaginian inscriptions) whose name appears to designate him as “Lord of the sun’s heat,” (cf. the Hebrew ḥ ?ammβh used in poetry of the sun: Psalms 19:6; Job 30:28; Son 6:10; Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 30:26). The “sun-pillars” were probably emblems of this deity.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 17:8
And he shall not look to the altars - That is, the altars of the gods which the Syrians worshipped, and the altars of the false gods which had been erected in the land of Israel or Samaria by its
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 17:8
7, 8. At that day — The day when calamity comes on Damascus and Ephraim, and the Assyrians carry away the people.
Sermons on Isaiah 17:8
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So Exceeding Angry With Himself by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound anger that true penitents feel towards their own sins, illustrating that this self-directed anger is far greater than any frustration they may |
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A Secret Virtue and Power by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the transformative power of private communion with God, illustrating how such intimacy leads to a profound hatred for sin and idolatry. He argues that true |
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A Devil in an Angel's Dress by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of true repentance, which involves turning away from every sin, not just some. He illustrates that partial repentance, like that of Herod and |
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The Fruit of Forgiveness by Elisabeth Elliot | Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the daily forgiveness we receive from God for various sins, highlighting the contrast between the magnitude of grace and the commonality of forgiveness. |
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The Covenants by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the concept of God's covenants with humanity, highlighting the distinction between conditional and unconditional covenants. He emphasizes that uncon |
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They Are Attended With a Christian Tenderness of Spirit. by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the contrast between gracious affections that soften the heart and false affections that harden it. Gracious affections lead to a Christian tenderne |
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Walk in God's Way by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher shares two stories about individuals seeking guidance from God. The first story is about a young man praying to find his future wife, and after flippin |