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Isaiah 2:8

Isaiah 2:8 in Multiple Translations

Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.

Their land is full of images; they give worship to the work of their hands, even to that which their fingers have made.

Their country is full of idols; they bow down and worship what they have made themselves—produced by their own hands!

Their land also was full of idols: they worshipped the worke of their owne hands, which their owne fingers haue made.

And its land is full of idols, To the work of its hands it boweth itself, To that which its fingers have made,

Their land also is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

And their land is filled with horses: and their chariots are innumerable. Their land also is full of idols: they have adored the work of their own hands, which their own fingers have made.

But the land is also full of idols; the people worship things that they have made with their own hands.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 2:8

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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 2:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/תִּמָּלֵ֥א אַרְצ֖/וֹ אֱלִילִ֑ים לְ/מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יָדָי/ו֙ יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ לַ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ אֶצְבְּעֹתָֽי/ו
וַ/תִּמָּלֵ֥א mâlêʼ H4390 to fill Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fs
אַרְצ֖/וֹ ʼerets H776 land N-cs | Suff
אֱלִילִ֑ים ʼĕlîyl H457 idol N-mp
לְ/מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה maʻăseh H4639 deed Prep | N-ms
יָדָי/ו֙ yâd H3027 hand N-cd | Suff
יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ shâchâh H7812 to bow V-v-Imperf-3mp
לַ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel
עָשׂ֖וּ ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶצְבְּעֹתָֽי/ו ʼetsbaʻ H676 finger N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 2:8

וַ/תִּמָּלֵ֥א mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
אַרְצ֖/וֹ ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אֱלִילִ֑ים ʼĕlîyl H457 "idol" N-mp
This Hebrew word means something worthless or an idol, often referring to false gods. It appears in the Bible as a warning against worshiping things with no value. In KJV translations, it is rendered as idol or thing of nought.
Definition: 1) of nought, good for nothing, worthless 1a) of physicians, a shepherd, a divination 1b) of false gods
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: idol, no value, thing of nought. See also: Leviticus 19:4; Isaiah 10:10; Psalms 96:5.
לְ/מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה maʻăseh H4639 "deed" Prep | 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.
יָדָי/ו֙ 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.
יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ shâchâh H7812 "to bow" V-v-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
לַ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | 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.
עָשׂ֖וּ 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.
אֶצְבְּעֹתָֽי/ו 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.

Study Notes — Isaiah 2:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 115:4–8 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
2 Revelation 9:20 Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
3 Jeremiah 2:28 But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.
4 Isaiah 37:19 They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.
5 2 Chronicles 28:2–4 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baals. Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
6 Ezekiel 16:23–25 Woe! Woe to you, declares the Lord GOD. And in addition to all your other wickedness, you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.
7 Isaiah 10:10–11 As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?”
8 Hosea 13:2 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!”
9 2 Chronicles 33:3–7 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.
10 Hosea 12:11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.

Isaiah 2:8 Summary

Isaiah 2:8 tells us that the people's land is full of idols, which means they have filled their lives with things that are not God. They are worshiping things they have made with their own hands, which is a form of idolatry (as seen in Deuteronomy 4:15-18). This is a warning to us to be careful not to prioritize created things over the Creator, as warned against in Romans 1:25. We must remember to worship God alone, and not the things we have made or the things of this world, and instead seek to honor Him with our lives, as encouraged in Colossians 1:16-17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for a land to be 'full of idols' in Isaiah 2:8?

In this context, it means that the people have filled their land with objects of worship that are not God, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 4:15-18, where the Israelites are warned against worshiping idols made by human hands.

Why are the people bowing down to 'the work of their hands' in Isaiah 2:8?

The people are worshiping the very things they have created, which is a form of idolatry, as seen in Romans 1:25, where it is written that people have exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped created things rather than the Creator.

How does this verse relate to the idea of man's rebellion against God?

This verse shows how man's rebellion against God can lead to the worship of false idols, which is a theme that is also seen in Psalm 115:4-8, where it is written that idols are mere creations of human hands and have no power to save or help their worshipers.

What is the significance of the people's fingers having 'made' these idols in Isaiah 2:8?

The fact that the people's fingers have made these idols emphasizes the idea that they are mere human creations, and not divine or supernatural in any way, as seen in Isaiah 44:9-20, where the prophet mocks the idea of worshiping idols made by human hands.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I may be bowing down to 'the work of my hands' in my own life, and how can I turn back to worshiping the one true God?
  2. How does the idea of idolatry in Isaiah 2:8 relate to the concept of 'idols of the heart' in Ezekiel 14:3-7, and what are some 'idols of the heart' that I may need to confront in my own life?
  3. In what ways can I prioritize the worship of the one true God in my life, and avoid the temptation to worship created things rather than the Creator, as warned against in Romans 1:25?
  4. How can I apply the warning of Isaiah 2:8 to my own life, and what are some practical steps I can take to avoid the trap of idolatry?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 2:8

Their land also is full of idols,.... Of the Virgin Mary, and of saints departed, whose images are set up to be worshipped in all their churches, and had in private houses: and they worship the work

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 2:8

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: Their land also is full of idols.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 2:8

They give that worship to their own creatures which they deny to me their Creator, than which nothing can be more impious and absurd.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 2:8

Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:Ver. 8. Their land also is full of idols.] As Babylon, "a land of idols"; as Athens, "wholly given to idolatry"; as China is said to have in it at this day a hundred thousand gods. And what shall we think of Popish idols? The word here rendered idols signifieth nihilitates, nothingness; for an idol is nothing in the world. They worship the work of their own hands.] Scelestum el immane facinus, dirum scelus et execrandum; effraenata et praeceps amentia. See Isaiah 44:15; Isaiah 44:18.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 2:8

(8) Their land also is full of idols.—The word which Isaiah chooses for “idols” (elîlîm—i.e., vain, false, gods) seems intentionally contrasted with elîm (gods, or mighty ones), and may fairly be rendered by no-gods. The reign of Ahaz was conspicuous from the first for this cultus (2 Chronicles 28:2-3), but it had been prominent even under Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:2).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 2:8

Verse 8. Their land also is full of idols - "And his land is filled with idols"] Uzziah and Fotham are both said, 2Kg 15:3-4; 2Kg 15:34-35, "to have done that which was right in the sight of the Lord;" that is, to have adhered to and maintained the legal worship of God, in opposition to idolatry and all irregular worship; for to this sense the meaning of that phrase is commonly to be restrained; "save that the high places were not removed where the people still sacrificed and burned incense." There was hardly any time when they were quite free from this irregular and unlawful practice, which they seem to have looked upon as very consistent with the true worship of God; and which seems in some measure to have been tolerated, while the tabernacle was removed from place to place, and before the temple was built. Even after the conversion of Manasseh, when he had removed the strange gods, commanded Judah to serve JEHOVAH the God of Israel, it is added, "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still on the high places, yet unto JEHOVAH their God only," 2 Chronicles 33:17. The worshipping on the high places therefore does not necessarily imply idolatry; and from what is said of these two kings, Uzziah and Jotham, we may presume that the public exercise of idolatrous worship was not permitted in their time. The idols therefore here spoken of must have been such as were designed for a private and secret use. Such probably were the teraphim so often mentioned in Scripture; a kind of household gods, of human form, as it should seem, (see 1 Samuel 19:13, and compare Genesis 31:34,) of different magnitude, used for idolatrous and superstitious purposes, particularly for divination, and as oracles, which they consulted for direction in their affairs.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 2:8

8. idols] Lit. “nonentities.”—The word (’ìlîlîm) is almost peculiar to Isaiah; and appears to contain a scornful play on the word for “gods” (’êlîm). work of their own hands] The prophet refuses to distinguish, as a heathen might, between the false deity and his image; the latter alone has real existence. Cf. Hosea 13:2; Isaiah 40:19 f., Isaiah 41:7; Isaiah 44:12-20, &c.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 2:8

Their land also is full of idols - compare Hosea 8:4; Hosea 10:1.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 2:8

8. Land… is full of idols — It is scarcely to be supposed that the idolatry mentioned here was public. The “idols” were a private possession of individuals and of families, like the teraphim in Jacob’s family. Genesis 31:34.

Sermons on Isaiah 2:8

SermonDescription
Chuck Smith Broken Cisterns by Chuck Smith This sermon emphasizes the importance of worshiping the true and living God, highlighting the dangers of seeking fulfillment in broken cisterns, which represent false beliefs and i
Chuck Smith The Worship of False Gods by Chuck Smith This sermon delves into the concept of worship and the nature of false gods that people create, such as the pursuit of recognition, pleasure, money, and sex. It emphasizes the impo
Chuck Smith Man Made God's by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher discusses the tragic truth that many people are caught up in idol worship, specifically idols made of silver and gold. He references the book of Deuter
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Ezekiel 11-15 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that society today is not like the Victorian age or a puritan society. He warns against forsaking God's commandments and living like the peo
Paul Hattaway Unreached Peoples: The Drokpa People of the Himalayas by Paul Hattaway This sermon delves into the unique traditions and lifestyle of the Drogpa people, who live in a fruitful yet isolated area, practicing ancient customs and idol worship. Despite the
William MacDonald The Attributes of God - Part 3 by William MacDonald In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the existence of God and our accountability to Him. He argues that if evolution were true and there was no God,
Clement of Rome Homily 10 by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome preaches in Tripolis about the dangers of ignorance and error, highlighting the difference between those who worship idols and those who worship the one true God. H

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