Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:20

What does Isaiah 40:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:20 means

This verse continues to expose idolatry, focusing on those with fewer resources. A person "impoverished for such an oblation" still strives to create an idol, choosing durable wood and seeking a skilled craftsman to fashion a stable image. This shows that the impulse to create false gods extends across economic classes, but the result is still a static, created object requiring human effort for its very existence and stability, utterly unlike the living God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The wise workman makes selection of the mulberry-tree of the offering, a wood which will not become soft; so that the image may be fixed to it and not be moved.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He who is poor <FI>by<Fi> heave-offerings, A tree not rotten doth choose, A skilful artisan he seeketh for it, To establish a graven image--not moved.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He that is impoverished, so that he hath no offering, chooseth a tree that doth not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilled workman to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved.

Context

Building on the description of idol making, this verse extends the critique by showing that even those with limited means engage in similar efforts. It underscores the universal human tendency towards idolatry, regardless of economic status. Both this verse and the previous one serve to highlight the stark contrast between created idols and the uncreated God, leading into a series of questions about God's eternal nature and wisdom.

v.19The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains.

v.20This passage

v.21Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 10:3

    For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

  • Isaiah 44:13

    The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with a pencil; he shapeth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and shapeth it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.

  • Daniel 5:23

    but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 41:7

    So the carpenter encourageth the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and he fasteneth it with nails, that it should not be moved.

  • 1 Samuel 5:3

    And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Jehovah. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

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