Isaiah 44:10
Isaiah 44:10 in Multiple Translations
Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?
Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
Who hath fashioned a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing?
Whoever makes a god, makes nothing but a metal image in which there is no profit.
Who makes a god, who molds an idol that's no use to them?
Who hath made a god, or molten an image, that is profitable for nothing?
Who hath formed a god, And a molten image poured out — not profitable?
Who has fashioned a god, or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?
Who hath formed a god, or cast a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
Who hath formed a god, and made a graven thing that is profitable for nothing?
Only foolish people [RHQ] would make idols in a mold, idols that would never help them at all.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 44:10
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 44:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִֽי
יָצַ֥ר
אֵ֖ל
וּ/פֶ֣סֶל
נָסָ֑ךְ
לְ/בִלְתִּ֖י
הוֹעִֽיל
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
יָצַ֥ר
yâtsar
H3335
to form
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֵ֖ל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
וּ/פֶ֣סֶל
peçel
H6459
idol
Conj | N-ms
נָסָ֑ךְ
nâçak
H5258
to pour
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לְ/בִלְתִּ֖י
biltîy
H1115
lest
Prep | Conj
הוֹעִֽיל
yaʻal
H3276
to gain
V-Hiphil-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 44:10
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יָצַ֥ר
yâtsar
H3335
"to form"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to form or shape something, like a potter molding clay. It appears in Genesis 2:7, describing God's creation of humans, and in Isaiah 64:8, where God is compared to a potter.
Definition: : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose. See also: Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 44:12; Psalms 2:9.
אֵ֖ל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
וּ/פֶ֣סֶל
peçel
H6459
"idol"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to an idol or carved image, often used to describe false gods or objects of worship. It is sometimes translated as graven image, emphasizing the act of carving or shaping the idol. This concept is seen in the Bible as a form of rebellion against God.
Definition: idol, image Also means: pe.sil (פָּסִיל "idol" H6456)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: carved (graven) image. See also: Exodus 20:4; 2 Chronicles 33:7; Psalms 97:7.
נָסָ֑ךְ
nâçak
H5258
"to pour"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to pour out or install, often used for setting up a king or offering a sacrifice. It appears in Exodus and Numbers, describing rituals and ceremonies. The word is also used for melting metal.
Definition: 1) to pour out, pour, offer, cast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour out 1a2) to cast metal images 1a3) to anoint (a king) 1b) (Niphal) to be anointed 1c) (Piel) to pour out (as a libation) 1d) (Hiphil) to pour out libations 1e) (Hophal) to be poured out Aramaic equivalent: ne.sakh (נְסַךְ "to pour" H5260)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up). See also: Genesis 35:14; Isaiah 30:1; Psalms 2:6.
לְ/בִלְתִּ֖י
biltîy
H1115
"lest"
Prep | Conj
This Hebrew word means not or except, and is often used with a prepositional prefix. It appears in various forms, such as not, except, or unless, and is used in many biblical passages.
Definition: subst 1) not, except adv 2) not 3) except (after preceding negation) conj 4) except (after an implied or expressed negation) with prep 5) so as not, in order not 6) an account of not, because...not 7) until not
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Kings 12:9; Isaiah 10:4.
הוֹעִֽיל
yaʻal
H3276
"to gain"
V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to gain or ascend, and can also mean to be valuable or beneficial. It is used in various forms in the Bible to convey the idea of profit or advantage.
Definition: (Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able). See also: 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:10; Proverbs 10:2.
Study Notes — Isaiah 44:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 44:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 44:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 44:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 44:10
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 44:10
- Sermons on Isaiah 44:10
Context — The LORD Has Chosen Israel
8Do not tremble or fear. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are My witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one.”
9All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.
10Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?
11Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. 12The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 10:5 | Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” |
| 2 | Habakkuk 2:18 | What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. |
| 3 | Acts 19:26 | And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 12:28 | After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 8:4 | So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. |
| 6 | Daniel 3:14 | and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? |
| 7 | Daniel 3:1 | King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. |
| 8 | Isaiah 41:29 | See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. |
Isaiah 44:10 Summary
Isaiah 44:10 is saying that making idols is a waste of time because they can't do anything for us. It's like trying to make a fake version of something that is already real and perfect, as seen in Isaiah 44:9. The Bible tells us that God is the only one who is truly powerful and worthy of our worship, as stated in Exodus 20:3-5. By putting our trust in Him, we can find true fulfillment and satisfaction, rather than trying to find it in things that are ultimately worthless, as Jeremiah 2:13 reminds us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main idea of Isaiah 44:10?
The main idea of Isaiah 44:10 is to highlight the foolishness of creating idols, which are useless and bring no benefit to those who make them, as seen in the context of Isaiah 44:9 where it says that all makers of idols are nothing.
Why does the Bible say that idols are worthless?
The Bible says that idols are worthless because they are created by human hands and have no power or ability to help us, as stated in Isaiah 44:10, which says that the idol profits the maker nothing, and also in Psalm 115:4-8 which describes the inability of idols to see, hear, or act.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that anything we put our trust in besides the one true God is ultimately worthless and will not bring us the fulfillment or satisfaction we are looking for, as Jeremiah 2:13 says, and instead we should seek to know and worship the living God as described in Isaiah 45:5-6.
What is the significance of the phrase 'which profits him nothing'?
The phrase 'which profits him nothing' emphasizes the idea that idols are not only useless but also provide no benefit to those who create or worship them, which is a theme also seen in Habakkuk 2:18 where it talks about the worthlessness of idols.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I have made into idols, and how can I surrender them to God?
- How does the idea that idols are worthless and bring no profit challenge my understanding of what is truly valuable in life?
- In what ways can I seek to know and worship the one true God, rather than putting my trust in false idols?
- What are some practical steps I can take to remove idols from my life and focus on serving the living God?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 44:10
Who hath formed a god,.... Who ever made one? was such a thing ever known? or can that be a god which is made or formed? who so mad, foolish and sottish, as to imagine he has made a god?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 44:10
Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? Who hath formed a god? - sarcastic question: 'How debased the man must be who forms a god!' It is a contradiction in terms.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
What man in his wits can esteem that a god which his own hands have formed, or melt a graven image (understand out of the former clause, to be his god) which is profitable for nothing? He speaks of melting a graven image, because the image was first molten and cast in a mould, and then polished and graven with a tool, as was observed before. Or thus, Who art thou, O man, that formest a god, or meltest a graven image to worship it, which is profitable for nothing? Come hither, and let me reason the case with thee; which he doth in the following verses. So this verse is a kind of summons to idolaters to come and plead their own cause.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
Isaiah 44:10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image [that] is profitable for nothing?Ver. 10. Who hath formed a god that is profitable for nothing?] q.d, Who but a madman? ειδωλομανης, such as was Julian the apostate, called therefore Idolian by some. “ Quis furor est, quae tanta animas dementia ludit? ” - Sedullus. What can be more ridiculous, saith Basil, than for man to go about to make God? And yet Popish priests take upon them so to do: which made Averroes abhor Christianity, and wish that his soul might rather be among the philosophers. Quis haec ludibria non derideat? - Lact.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 44:10
Verse 10. See Clarke on Isaiah 44:9.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 44:10
10. Who hath formed, &c.] A rhetorical question: who has been such a fool? On molten a graven image see ch. Isaiah 40:19.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 44:10
Who hath formed a god - The Septuagint reads this verse in connection with the close of the previous verse, ‘But they shall be ashamed who make a god, and all who sculpture unprofitable things.’ This
Sermons on Isaiah 44:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Isaiah 46:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the contrast between supporting false gods and being supported by the true and living God. He illustrates how many people are burdened by the idols they crea |
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Vision #2 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taking God's word seriously and living out the visions He gives us. The example of Abraham is used to illustrate this poin |
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Epistle 85 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of following the light of Christ to find rest and witness the new covenant, where personal teaching from man is not needed. He urges listeners |
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The Offence of the Cross by Ray Comfort | Ray Comfort discusses the importance of preaching the Gospel boldly, even when it leads to opposition and anger from the listeners. He emphasizes the need to stay true to the messa |
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Paul-a Man Like Us by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the transformative journey of the Apostle Paul, who, despite his privileged background and intellect, was radically changed after encountering Jesus on the |
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(1 Kings) a Great Victory, and the Aftermath of It by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. He highlights the passion and commitment of the prophets of Baal, but emphasizes that their de |
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Elijah’s Dramatic Appearance by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink discusses the dramatic appearance of Elijah during a dark period in Israel's history, marked by rampant idolatry and wicked kings. He highlights the spiritual decline ini |