Isaiah 41 24

Isaiah 41:24 kjv

Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.

Isaiah 41:24 nkjv

Indeed you are nothing, And your work is nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination.

Isaiah 41:24 niv

But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable.

Isaiah 41:24 esv

Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you.

Isaiah 41:24 nlt

But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all.
Those who choose you pollute themselves.

Isaiah 41 verses

Isaiah 41 24 Meaning

This verse serves as a climactic declaration from the Lord, directly challenging and condemning the false gods and their practitioners. It asserts that these idols are utterly void of being and substance ("nothing"), and all their supposed actions or influences ("your work") likewise amount to nothing. Furthermore, it pronounces that anyone who chooses to follow, serve, or worship these impotent deities is an "abomination" in God's sight, marking them as detestable and repugnant. It is a profound statement of divine judgment against polytheism and a reaffirmation of the singular power and reality of the one true God.

Isaiah 41 24 Context

Isaiah 41 is a crucial part of Isaiah's "Book of Consolation" (chapters 40-66), focusing on God's sovereignty over history and nations. In this chapter, God engages in a "lawsuit" or debate, challenging the nations and their gods. He presents His unique ability to predict future events (specifically the rise of Cyrus) and bring them to pass, demonstrating His unparalleled power and foreknowledge. The preceding verses (Isa 41:21-23) show God directly challenging the idols to produce a prophecy, reveal their plans, or even explain past events. Verse 24 is the damning verdict delivered after the idols fail this challenge, decisively declaring their utter nothingness and condemning those who associate with them. Historically, Israel was surrounded by nations practicing polytheism, and this passage serves as a powerful polemic against such idolatry, contrasting the impotent pagan deities with Yahweh, the only living and active God.

Isaiah 41 24 Word analysis

• הן (hēn): "Indeed," "Behold," "Lo." This particle emphasizes the statement that follows, drawing attention to a declaration of great certainty and importance. It marks a transition to a conclusive judgment.
• אתם ('attem): "you" (plural). This refers directly to the "gods" and their statues addressed in the preceding verses (Isa 41:21-23). It points to their very essence or being.
• אפס ('ephes): "nothing," "nought," "end," "nothingness." A very strong word indicating absolute non-existence, complete absence of power, influence, or reality. It signifies a profound lack of substance or significance, a state of utter nullity.
• ופעלכם (u-fāʿalkem): "and your work," "and your deed."
  • ו (u-): "and."
  • פעלכם (pōʿalkem): "your work" (plural). This refers to any supposed actions, deeds, creations, or interventions attributed to these gods. It encompasses all that they are thought to do or effect.
• מאין (mē-'ayin): "from nothing," "non-existent." This adverbial phrase further reinforces the "nothingness," making it absolute. It describes the state of existing as though "from non-existence" or "as nothing at all." Some translations render it as "worse than nothing" or "utterly nothing."
• תועבה (tōʿēvāh): "abomination," "detestable thing." This is a strong theological term used throughout the Old Testament for practices, objects, or behaviors that are profoundly offensive and morally abhorrent to God (e.g., idolatry, child sacrifice, sexual perversions). It carries a cultic sense of impurity and repulsion from God's holiness.
• מבחר בכם (mivḥar bākem): "whoever chooses you," "he who selects you."
  • מבחר (mivḥar): Literally "chooser" or "selecter." This refers to any individual or group who opts to follow, trust, or worship these false gods.
  • בכם (bākem): "among you," or "in you," or "on you" (when combined with "chooser," it means "choosing you").

Words-group analysis

• הן אתם אפס ("Indeed, you are nothing"): This phrase is an unsparing declaration of the idols' fundamental non-being. It asserts their absolute lack of power, efficacy, and existence in the face of the living God. It's not merely that they are powerless, but that they literally are nothing, a profound theological statement against polytheistic beliefs.
• ופעלכם מאין ("and your work is nothing / from non-existence"): This builds on the previous declaration, extending the nothingness from the idols' being to their actions and purported influence. Any supposed "work" attributed to them – prophecies, blessings, judgments – is equally empty and unreal, having no origin or substance. The idiom mĕ-'ayin ("from nothing") amplifies this, emphasizing the utter emptiness.
• תועבה מבחר בכם ("whoever chooses you is an abomination"): This extends the divine judgment to humanity. Not only are the idols nothing, but those who knowingly choose to associate with and worship such non-entities become themselves detestable to God. This signifies that idolatry is not merely an error but a deeply offensive affront to God's holiness and an act of spiritual betrayal, causing the worshiper to become tainted by the defilement of the false god.

Isaiah 41 24 Bonus section

The concept of ephes (nothingness) as applied to idols is crucial for understanding Old Testament theology. It goes beyond mere powerlessness, asserting their absolute non-reality from a divine perspective. The battle is not between equally existing entities where one is stronger; it's between ultimate Being and ultimate non-being. This to'evah judgment underscores the spiritual infection of idolatry; it's not a harmless practice but a morally corrupting and offensive act that renders the worshiper detestable to the true God. This judgment served to solidify Israel's exclusive devotion to Yahweh and provided a theological basis for their distinctiveness among the nations.

Isaiah 41 24 Commentary

Isaiah 41:24 encapsulates Yahweh's definitive verdict against the gods of the nations. After challenging them to predict the future or perform any authentic action, the Lord declares them not merely inferior but absolutely nonexistent and utterly devoid of efficacy. Their essence is ephes – nothingness, emptiness. Any 'work' they are believed to perform also springs mē-'ayin, from utter non-existence, underscoring their profound impotence. This is a foundational assertion of strict monotheism and an unassailable polemic against all forms of polytheism and creature worship. Furthermore, the verse makes clear the severe consequences for those who align themselves with such emptiness. To "choose" or "select" these false gods is to become a to'evah – an abomination, something intrinsically abhorrent to the holy God. This demonstrates the spiritual danger and moral offense of idolatry, linking the nature of the deity chosen to the spiritual status of the worshiper in God's eyes. It implies a strong call for exclusive worship of the one true God and a clear warning against any compromise with other religious systems.