Isaiah 44 11

Isaiah 44:11 kjv

Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

Isaiah 44:11 nkjv

Surely all his companions would be ashamed; And the workmen, they are mere men. Let them all be gathered together, Let them stand up; Yet they shall fear, They shall be ashamed together.

Isaiah 44:11 niv

People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame.

Isaiah 44:11 esv

Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.

Isaiah 44:11 nlt

All who worship idols will be disgraced
along with all these craftsmen ? mere humans ?
who claim they can make a god.
They may all stand together,
but they will stand in terror and shame.

Isaiah 44 verses

Isaiah 44 11 Meaning

Those who fashion idols are all in vain, and their precious things are of no profit; they are their own witnesses that they know nothing, and that their doings are empty and void.

Isaiah 44 11 Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's broader message in chapter 44, which focuses on God's power and sovereignty in contrast to the impotence of idols and idol worship. The prophet is addressing the people of Israel, particularly in light of their exile and future restoration. He highlights God's unique nature as the one true Creator and Redeemer. Verses 9-20 of this chapter specifically detail the foolishness of idol makers and the lifelessness of the idols they create, serving as a polemic against the pagan practices common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The context is a confident affirmation of Yahweh's supremacy.

Isaiah 44 11 Word analysis

• כִּי (ki): "Indeed," "surely," "for." This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation for what was said previously, reinforcing the truth of the preceding statements.

• כָּל־ (kol-): "all," "every." Emphasizes totality, leaving no exceptions.

• יוֹצְרֵי (yotzrey): From יצר (yatzar), meaning "to fashion," "to form," "to make," "to mold." Refers to the creators or makers, particularly in the context of crafting idols.

• פֶסֶל (peseyl): "graven image," "idol." Specifically refers to an idol or statue, often carved.

• הֶבֶל (hevel): "vanity," "emptiness," "futility," "breath," "vapor." Denotes worthlessness, transience, and lack of substance or reality. It underscores the futility of idol worship.

• וְ (ve-): "and." Connects phrases and clauses.

• וְרַהֲבֵי־ (ve-rahavay): From רַהַב (rahav), often translated "splendor," "pride," "magnificence," or "precious things." In this context, it likely refers to the elaborate decorations or prized components of idols, highlighting the human effort and perceived value invested in them.

• הוֹעִיל (ho’il): "profit," "be useful," "be of advantage." Denotes efficacy or beneficial effect. The verse states that these idols "profit nothing" or "are of no avail."

• הֵם־ (hem-): "they." Pronoun referring back to the makers and their precious things.

• עֵדִים (‘idim): "witnesses." Refers to testimony or evidence.

• בָּהֶם־ (bahem-): "in them" or "for them." Indicates either that the idols are witnesses in themselves, or that the people will be witnesses against themselves concerning their idols.

• לֹא־ (lo-): "not." Negation.

• דַעַת (da’ath): "knowledge," "understanding," "cognizance." Implies a lack of true discernment or wisdom regarding the divine.

• יָדְעוּ (yad‘u): From ידע (yada‘), meaning "to know," "to understand," "to be acquainted with." Indicates an absence of genuine spiritual understanding.

• וְ (ve-): "and."

• פָעֳלָתָם (po‘alatham): "their work," "their doing," "their deeds." Refers to the actions of creating and worshipping idols.

• רִיק־ (rik-): "emptiness," "void," "vanity." Reinforces the concept of futility and lack of substance.

• וְ (ve-): "and."

• בְלִי־ (vely-): "without," "null," "void of." Indicates a complete absence.

• מֵ־ (me-): "from."

• עֶלְיוֹן (‘elyon): "Most High," "Exalted One." This refers to God, contrasting His supreme position with the lowliness of idols. Correction: This word is not in Isaiah 44:11. The phrase is indeed וְעַצְתֵּיהֶם (ve-‘atzteyhem) "and their counsel" or "their purpose" in the Hebrew, which relates to their futile plans and the inherent emptiness of their endeavors. My apologies for the misidentification. Let's re-analyze based on the correct Hebrew:

• וְעַצְתֵּיהֶם (ve-‘atzteyhem): "and their counsel," "their plan," "their purpose." Refers to the intention or deliberate actions of the idol makers. It highlights that their plans are inherently void.

Corrected Word Analysis (based on actual Hebrew)

• כִּי־ (ki-): "For," "Indeed," "surely." Introducing the reason or the declaration of fact.
• כָּל־ (kol-): "all." A comprehensive term emphasizing universality.
• יוֹצְרֵי (yotzrey): "the makers," "the fashioners." Derived from the root יצר (yatzar), signifying deliberate creation and molding.
• פֶסֶל (peseyl): "graven image," "idol." Specifically, an image that is carved.
• הֶבֶל (hevel): "vanity," "futility," "worthless." Describing the complete lack of substance or positive outcome.
• וְ (ve-): "and." Connecting the subject to the predicate.
• רַהֲבֵי־ (rahavay): "their splendor," "their precious things," "their ornaments." Referring to the expensive and beautiful materials invested in idols, alluding to their supposed grandeur.
• הוֹעִיל (ho’il): "profit," "be of use," "be helpful." They bring no advantage.
• הֵם־ (hem-): "they." Referring back to the idol makers.
• עֵדִים (‘idim): "witnesses." Implying they are testimony or evidence.
• בָּהֶם־ (bahem-): "in them" or "for them." Suggesting the idols themselves are witnesses or that the makers will stand as witnesses against themselves through their creations.
• לֹא־ (lo-): "not." A clear negation.
• דַעַת (da’ath): "knowledge," "understanding." Referring to spiritual or true insight.
• יָדְעוּ (yad‘u): "they know," "they understand." The idol makers lack true understanding.
• וְ (ve-): "and."
• פָעֳלָתָם (po‘alatham): "their work," "their deeds," "what they have done." Encompasses the entire process of making and valuing the idols.
• רִיק־ (rik-): "emptiness," "void," "vanity." Similar to hevel, emphasizing nothingness.
• וּבְלִי־ (uvliy-): "and without." Reinforces the total absence of substance or validity in their works.
• מֵֽעֹז־ (me‘oz-): This appears to be another small misreading. The Hebrew actually reads וְבֹהוּ (u’vohu) from the Hebrew word for "formless" or "void," often associated with a chaotic state, meaning "and empty" or "void." This again emphasizes the utter nothingness of their works.

Re-analysis incorporating 'vohu'

• וְ (ve-): "and."
• בֹהוּ (vohu): "emptiness," "void." A state of desolation or formlessness, contributing to the ultimate worthlessness.

Group of words analysis:

• "their precious things are of no profit": וְרַהֲבֵי־ הוֹעִיל (ve-rahavay ho’il) This phrase critiques the perceived value and splendor invested in idols, declaring it all to be useless and without any real advantage.
• "they are their own witnesses that they know nothing": הֵם־ עֵדִים בָּהֶם־ לֹא־ דַעַת יָדְעוּ (hem ‘idim bahem lo da’ath yad‘u) This is a powerful statement of accusation. The idols themselves, in their inanimate nature, serve as testament to the makers' profound ignorance. The very things they praise are silent proof of their spiritual blindness.
• "their doings are empty and void": וּפָעֳלָתָם רִיק־ וּבֹהוּ (u’po‘alatham rik uvohu) This phrase sums up the entire enterprise of idol creation and worship. Their works, their labor, and their devoted efforts are ultimately characterized by absolute emptiness and a lack of any substance or reality.

Isaiah 44 11 Bonus Section

The imagery of idols as "witnesses" is particularly striking. It's a sophisticated rhetorical device suggesting that the very existence and nature of these human-made objects cry out against the ignorance of their creators. Their silence, immobility, and inability to act are all testimonies to the fact that the god they represent is not a god at all. This theme of idols being "mouthless, eyeless, earless" (as seen in Psalm 115:5-7) is a consistent refrain throughout Scripture when contrasting the living God with lifeless idols. The idols’ very creation involves "work" and "fashioning," pointing to human agency and effort, while the true God is the self-existent Creator who does not require such crafting. This contrast underscores the divine nature versus human invention. The spiritual principle is that one inevitably becomes like what one worships; worshipping void, lifeless things leads to a void and lifeless existence.

Isaiah 44 11 Commentary

Isaiah 44:11 is a forceful denunciation of idolatry. It asserts that those who meticulously craft idols are utterly fooling themselves, for the idols are ultimately worthless. The Hebrew words הֶבֶל (hevel) and רִיק (rik) / בֹהוּ (vohu) emphasize the complete futility and emptiness of these creations. The verse highlights the profound ignorance of the idol makers, stating they are their own witnesses to this fact, as their lifeless idols demonstrate a lack of true knowledge and understanding. The precious materials and elaborate designs lavished on these false gods are shown to bring no benefit whatsoever. True profit and advantage are found only in the living God, who is revealed as the Creator and Redeemer.

Practical application: This verse calls us to examine where we place our trust and ultimate value. Are we investing our lives in things that are ultimately empty, like idols of wealth, status, or fleeting pleasures? Or are we pursuing the one true God, in whom all reality and true benefit reside? It's a reminder that what we worship and invest in will ultimately reflect and shape our own understanding and existence.