Isaiah 31 7

Isaiah 31:7 kjv

For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

Isaiah 31:7 nkjv

For in that day every man shall throw away his idols of silver and his idols of gold? sin, which your own hands have made for yourselves.

Isaiah 31:7 niv

For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.

Isaiah 31:7 esv

For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.

Isaiah 31:7 nlt

I know the glorious day will come when each of you will throw away the gold idols and silver images your sinful hands have made.

Isaiah 31 verses

Isaiah 31 7 meaning

Isaiah 31:7 prophesies a future time when the people of Judah, previously reliant on foreign alliances and ensnared by idolatry, will turn decisively from their false gods. In this designated "day," they will universally reject and cast away the idols fashioned from precious metals by their own hands. The verse emphasizes the profound truth that these cherished man-made objects, far from bringing help or blessing, have always been a source of grave sin and an affront to the one true God. It speaks of a comprehensive spiritual cleansing and repentance as a divine outcome.

Isaiah 31 7 Context

Isaiah 31 is part of a series of "Woes" (chapters 28-33) pronounced against Judah for its reliance on foreign powers, particularly Egypt, rather than on God. Chapter 31 specifically condemns Judah's decision to seek military aid from Egypt, relying on their horses and chariots (Isa 31:1-3), rather than trusting in the Lord. This chapter underscores God's faithfulness to protect His people despite their unfaithfulness, depicting Him as a roaring lion protecting its prey (Isa 31:4-5), ready to descend and fight for Zion. Verses 6-7 then issue a call for repentance: "Turn back to him whom you have so deeply betrayed, O children of Israel." Verse 7 functions as the climactic response to this call, painting a picture of future transformation where, having witnessed God's intervention and experienced His judgment on their enemies (like Assyria, referred to in Isa 31:8-9), Judah will universally abandon its idolatrous practices. The historical context is the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire in the late 8th century BC, and Judah's ill-fated alliance with Egypt against them, ignoring Isaiah's divine warnings. The verse promises a time when God's deliverance will lead His people to abandon their greatest spiritual betrayal – idol worship.

Isaiah 31 7 Word analysis

• For in that day (כִּי בַיּוֹם הַהוּא - kī ba-yyōm ha-hū’):

  • כִּי (kī): A conjunction meaning "for," "surely," "because." It introduces the reason or consequence for the preceding call to return.
  • בַיּוֹם (ba-yyōm): "In the day." The prefix 'בּ' (ba-) means "in."
  • הַהוּא (ha-hū’): "That," a demonstrative pronoun. Together, "in that day" refers to a specific future point in time, often having eschatological or salvific significance in prophetic literature. It implies a divinely appointed moment when these changes will occur, often linked with God's intervention, judgment, and ultimate restoration. This "day" is usually tied to a period of the Lord's redemptive work or judgment, signifying a turning point.

• every one (אִישׁ אֱלֹהָיו - ʾîš ʾĕlōhāyw):

  • אִישׁ (ʾîš): "A man," "everyone." Denotes individuality, indicating that this turning will be a personal and comprehensive repentance. It implies no exceptions; each person will individually act.

• shall cast away (תִזְרְקוּן - tizreqūn):

  • תִזְרְקוּן (tizreqūn): "You will cast away," "throw away." From the root זרק (zāraq), meaning "to throw," "scatter," "sprinkle." The intensive form here conveys a forceful, decisive, and even contemptuous rejection. It's not a gentle setting aside but a complete renunciation.

• his idols (אֱלִילָיו - ʾĕlîlāyw):

  • אֱלִילָיו (ʾĕlîlāyw): "His idols." The root אֱלִיל (ʾělîl) is often understood as a diminutive of אֵל (ʾēl), meaning "god," effectively denigrating the term to mean "worthless thing," "no-god," "nothingness," or "non-existent." This Hebrew term itself serves as a polemic against the supposed power or divinity of the pagan gods. These are not merely foreign gods, but empty, futile objects.

• of silver, and his idols of gold (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לָכֶם - keseph wəzāhāb ʾăšer ʿāśū lākem):

  • כֶּסֶף (keseph): "Silver."
  • וְזָהָב (wəzāhāb): "And gold." The use of precious metals highlights the great value and effort people put into creating and adorning these idols, ironically underscoring the spiritual bankruptcy of worshipping something so costly yet so inert.

• which your own hands have made unto you (אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לָכֶם יְדֵיכֶם - ʾăšer ʿāśū lākem yəḏêḵem):

  • אֲשֶׁר (ʾăšer): "Which," a relative pronoun.
  • עָשׂוּ (ʿāśū): "Made," "fashioned."
  • לָכֶם (lākem): "For you."
  • יְדֵיכֶם (yəḏêḵem): "Your hands." This phrase critically contrasts the impotence of man-made objects with the omnipotence of God the Creator. It directly exposes the absurdity of worshipping creations of their own hands, attributing divine power to something they themselves formed and are capable of destroying. It underscores human folly.

• for a sin (חֵטְא - ḥēṭʾ):

  • חֵטְא (ḥēṭʾ): "Sin," "transgression." Idolatry is not presented merely as a mistake or an alternative form of worship, but as a direct rebellion and offense against God. It signifies missing the mark, moral wrong, and spiritual unfaithfulness, carrying severe consequences for the covenant relationship with God.

Isaiah 31 7 Bonus section

The phrase "idols of silver, and his idols of gold" is significant beyond merely listing the materials. Gold and silver were common currencies and representations of wealth, power, and security in the ancient Near East. By depicting idols made from these materials, Isaiah subtly points to the spiritual futility of placing one's trust in material possessions or man-made assurances rather than in the divine provider. The very things Israel trusted in for worldly security were ironically the mediums for their spiritual betrayal, becoming a "sin" to them. This imagery also served as a polemic against the lavish, often ornate, idolatry practiced by surrounding nations, reinforcing that Yahweh is incomparable, dwelling not in man-made temples of gold but in heavenly glory.

Isaiah 31 7 Commentary

Isaiah 31:7 offers a powerful and concise summary of a pivotal spiritual turning point. It posits that God's future intervention, whether through judgment on enemies or revelation of His saving power, will lead to a profound, personal repentance. The specific act of "casting away" idols made of silver and gold underscores a complete renunciation of anything that usurps God's rightful place. These objects, costly and crafted by human hands, are revealed as not only worthless but explicitly defined as "sin." This prophetic word highlights that true deliverance from physical threats is intrinsically linked to spiritual liberation from idolatry. The abandonment of idols signifies a full recognition of Yahweh as the sole deliverer and the only legitimate object of worship, paving the way for a restored covenant relationship. It speaks to God's ultimate desire for the exclusive devotion of His people and their eventual embrace of that truth.