Isaiah 46:2
Isaiah 46:2 in Multiple Translations
The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
They are bent down, they are falling together: they were not able to keep their images safe, but they themselves have been taken prisoner.
They bend low and bow down together—they can't help rescue their idols, and they themselves go off into captivity.
They are bowed downe, and fallen together: for they coulde not rid them of the burden, and their soule is gone into captiuitie.
They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And themselves into captivity have gone.
They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity.
They are consumed, and are broken together: they could not save him that carried them, and they themselves shall go into captivity.
It seems like both gods are bowing down; not only can they not save themselves, but they themselves are being ◄exiled/taken to another country►!
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 46:2
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 46:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קָרְס֤וּ
כָֽרְעוּ֙
יַחְדָּ֔ו
לֹ֥א
יָכְל֖וּ
מַלֵּ֣ט
מַשָּׂ֑א
וְ/נַפְשָׁ֖/ם
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֥י
הָלָֽכָה
קָרְס֤וּ
qâraç
H7164
to stoop
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
כָֽרְעוּ֙
kâraʻ
H3766
to bow
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
יַחְדָּ֔ו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָכְל֖וּ
yâkôl
H3201
be able
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
מַלֵּ֣ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
V-Piel-Inf-a
מַשָּׂ֑א
massâʼ
H4853
burden
N-ms
וְ/נַפְשָׁ֖/ם
nephesh
H5315
soul
Conj | N-cs | Suff
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֥י
shᵉbîy
H7628
captivity
Prep | N-cs
הָלָֽכָה
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 46:2
קָרְס֤וּ
qâraç
H7164
"to stoop"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to stoop or hunch over, often describing someone who is hump-backed. It's used in the Bible to convey a sense of bending down or crouching. The KJV translation uses the word 'stoop' to describe this action.
Definition: (Qal) to bend down, stoop, crouch
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: stoop. See also: Isaiah 46:1; Isaiah 46:2.
כָֽרְעוּ֙
kâraʻ
H3766
"to bow"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To bow means to bend your knee or sink down in reverence, like when you pray or worship. In Genesis 24:52 and Exodus 4:31, people bow down to show respect and humility. It is a sign of surrender and submission.
Definition: 1) to bend, kneel, bow, bow down, sink down to one's knees, kneel down to rest (of animals), kneel in reverence 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bow 1a2) to bow down, crouch 1a3) to bow down over 1a4) to tilt, lean 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to bow
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 49:9; Esther 3:5; Psalms 17:13.
יַחְדָּ֔ו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
לֹ֥א
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.
יָכְל֖וּ
yâkôl
H3201
"be able"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.
מַלֵּ֣ט
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
V-Piel-Inf-a
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
מַשָּׂ֑א
massâʼ
H4853
"burden"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a message from God, like a prophecy or oracle, often given through a prophet. It can also mean a burden or a song. It appears in books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, where God speaks through prophets to His people.
Definition: 1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting 1a) load, burden 1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up 1c) bearing, carrying 1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: burden, carry away, prophecy, [idiom] they set, song, tribute. See also: Exodus 23:5; Isaiah 13:1; Psalms 38:5.
וְ/נַפְשָׁ֖/ם
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֥י
shᵉbîy
H7628
"captivity"
Prep | N-cs
This word describes someone who has been captured or taken away, like the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon. It can also refer to the act of taking someone or something away, or to the state of being a captive.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 1a) (state of) captivity 1b) (act of) capture 1c) captives
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity), prisoners, [idiom] take away, that was taken. See also: Exodus 12:29; Isaiah 49:24; Psalms 68:19.
הָלָֽכָה
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
Study Notes — Isaiah 46:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 46:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 46:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 46:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 46:2
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 46:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
- Sermons on Isaiah 46:2
Context — Babylon’s Idols
1Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.
2The 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. 4Even 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 48:7 | Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials. |
| 2 | Judges 18:17–18 | And the five men who had gone to spy out the land went inside and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, while the priest stood at the entrance of the gate with the six hundred armed men. When they entered Micah’s house and took the graven image, the ephod, the household idols, and the molten idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 5:21 | There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 43:12–13 | I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed. He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.’” |
| 5 | Judges 18:24 | He replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” |
| 6 | 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. |
| 7 | Isaiah 44:17 | From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 45:20 | Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. |
| 9 | Hosea 10:5–6 | The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile. Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols. |
| 10 | Isaiah 36:18–19 | Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? |
Isaiah 46:2 Summary
[Isaiah 46:2 shows us that the idols people worship are powerless and cannot help them, unlike the true God who loves and cares for us (as seen in Psalm 91:1-4 and Matthew 11:28-30). The idols are like heavy burdens that people carry, but they cannot provide any relief or comfort, highlighting the futility of idol worship and the importance of trusting in the one true God (Isaiah 44:17-20, Jeremiah 10:1-16). This verse reminds us that the true God is all-powerful and always with us, even in difficult times, and that He is the only one who can truly sustain and deliver us (as promised in Isaiah 46:4 and Deuteronomy 31:6).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the gods to cower and crouch together in Isaiah 46:2?
This verse is describing the powerlessness of idols and false gods, highlighting their inability to provide relief or protection to those who worship them, as seen in their contrast to the true God in Isaiah 46:4 and Psalm 115:1-8.
Why are the idols unable to relieve the burden according to Isaiah 46:2?
The idols are unable to relieve the burden because they are inanimate objects, devoid of any real power or ability to act, as stated in Psalm 135:15-18, emphasizing their inadequacy compared to the living God.
What does it mean for the gods to go into captivity in Isaiah 46:2?
When it says the gods go into captivity, it signifies the ultimate defeat and subjugation of these false deities, mirroring the fate of those who worship them, a theme also found in Jeremiah 10:1-16 and Isaiah 2:8.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Isaiah?
Isaiah 46:2 contributes to the book's overarching theme of God's sovereignty and the futility of idol worship, drawing a clear distinction between the true God of Israel and the false gods of the surrounding nations, as seen in Isaiah 44:6-20 and Isaiah 45:5-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'idols' in my life that I rely on for comfort or protection, and how do they compare to the power and love of the true God?
- In what ways do I see the 'gods' of this world cowering and being taken captive, and how does this reflect the truth of Isaiah 46:2?
- How does the idea of false gods going into captivity impact my understanding of God's judgment and mercy, as described in Romans 1:18-32 and Revelation 20:11-15?
- What does it mean for me to trust in the living God, who sustains and delivers, as opposed to relying on powerless idols, and how can I apply this to my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 46:2
They stoop, they bow together,.... Either the beasts under their burdens, or other idols besides those mentioned; or rather the Babylonians themselves, who were obliged to submit to the conquerors:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 46:2
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. They could not deliver - from the enemies' hands. Burden - their images laid on the beasts (Isaiah 46:1).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
They; either, 1. The idols, of whom these words are used, . Or, 2. The Babylonians, who are sufficiently implied in that expression, their idols, . They bow down together; either, 1. One as well as another; or, 2. The Babylonians and their idols together, neither could help the other. They could not deliver the burden; either, 1. The idols could not deliver themselves, who were now a burden to the beasts, and carried away by them; or, 2. The Babylonians could not deliver their idols, which he now had called burdens.
And this sense seems most probable from the following clause, which clearly speaks of the same persons or things; but themselves, &c., Heb. their souls; for although the soul is here put for the person, as it commonly is, yet that title is never given to any idol or lifeless thing, but only to such creatures as have or had souls within their bodies. So the meaning of this and the foregoing verse is this, that neither the Babylonians nor their idols could either save themselves or one another, but both are bowed down and gone into captivity together.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
Isaiah 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.Ver. 2. They stoop.] The Babylonians, together with their idols; ridiculous gods, that could be thus plundered, carried captives, borne on the backs of asses. But themselves are gone into captivity.] Heb., And their soul went into captivity; that is, their idols, that were dear unto them as their very souls.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
(2) They could not deliver the burden.—The deities are, for the moment, distinguished from their images. They are powerless to rescue them. So far as they have a soul or being at all, that very being is carried away captive.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
Verse 2. They could not deliver the burden - "They could not deliver their own charge"] That is, their worshippers, who ought to have been borne by them. See the two next verses. The Chaldee and Syriac Versions render it in effect to the same purpose, those that bear them, meaning their worshippers; but how they can render massa in an active sense, I do not understand. For לא lo, not, ולא velo, and they could not, is the reading of twenty-four of Kennicott's, sixteen of De Rossi's, and two of my own MSS. The added vau gives more elegance to the passage. But themselves - "Even they themselves"] For ונפשם venaphsham, an ancient MS. has כי נפשם ki naphsham, with more force.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 46:2
2. they could not deliver] i.e. cause to escape. themselves are gone into captivity] The distinction allowed between the gods and their images is an ironical concession to heathen modes of thought. The fact that the gods are unable to save their own images means that they have vanished. The recently discovered inscriptions have shewn, however, that the idols of Babylon had nothing to fear from Cyrus.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 46:2
They stoop - Bel, and Nebo, and all the Babylonian gods (see Isaiah 46:1). They could not deliver the burden - The word ‘burden’ here, probably means the load of metal, wood, and stone, of which the idols were composed.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 46:2
1, 2. Bel — The same as Baal (lord or master) of the Phoenicians, and Jupiter of the Greeks.
Sermons on Isaiah 46:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How Much Could You Lose by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the fragility of life and the blessings we often take for granted. He mentions an Englishman arriving in America on the 4th of July and the |
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Judges 18 vs 24 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker shares various stories and experiences to illustrate the idea of losing material possessions and facing trials. He mentions a girl who became blind afte |
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Judges 18 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill delivers a powerful sermon on Judges 18, emphasizing the question of how much one can lose without losing faith in God. He reflects on the story of Micah, who los |