Isaiah 46

The god Bel bows down. The god Nebo stoops low. Their statues are loaded onto wild beasts and onto cattle. The images you used to carry are a heavy load, a burden for a tired animal.

1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.

NoteBel and Nebo were the two great gods of Babylon. "Bel" means "lord" and was the title of Marduk, the city's chief god; Nebo (Nabu) was his son, the god of writing and wisdom, whose name appears in Babylonian royal names such as Nebuchadnezzar and Nabonidus. Once a year their statues were paraded through Babylon on wagons. "Carriages" in 1611 English meant the things being carried, the load, not the carts; the picture is of the gods' own images strapped to pack animals as loot.

2The gods stoop and bow down together. They could not save the load they were part of, and they themselves have been carried off as prisoners.

2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

NoteWhen an empire fell, the victors hauled off the statues of its gods as trophies; the Babylonians themselves had done this to other nations. To first hearers, gods going "into captivity" was a literal, familiar sight, not a figure of speech.

3Listen to me, family of Jacob, and all who are left of the family of Israel. I have carried you since you were in the womb. I have lifted you up since the day you were born.

3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

NoteJacob was renamed Israel, so "house of Jacob" and "house of Israel" are two names for the same people. "The remnant" is the standard term for those left alive after invasion and deportation, the survivors of a nation that has already been broken up.

4Even when you are old, I am still the same. Even when your hair turns gray, I will carry you. I made you, and I will hold you up. I will carry you, and I will rescue you.

4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

5Who will you say I am like? Who will you set beside me as my equal? Who will you compare me to, as if we were the same?

5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

6They pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on a scale. They pay a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god. Then they drop to the ground and worship it.

6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

NoteThere was no coined money yet, so silver was weighed out on scales for each transaction. The god being made is typically a carved wooden core overlaid with hammered gold; the customer supplies the metal and pays the smith for the work.

7They lift it onto their shoulders and carry it. They set it in its spot, and there it stands. It will not move from that spot. A person cries out to it, but it cannot answer or save him from his trouble.

7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

NoteThe Hebrew uses the same words for carrying here as in verses 3 and 4: these people carry their god on their shoulders, while the speaker says he carries his people. The repetition is deliberate in the original.

8Remember this and stand firm. Think it over again, you who have broken my law.

8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

NoteThe Hebrew word behind "shew yourselves men" occurs only here and its meaning is uncertain; ancient and modern translators have read it as "stand firm," "act like men," or "be ashamed." "Transgressors" means those who have crossed a line or broken faith with an agreement, not criminals in general.

9Remember what happened long ago. I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like me.

9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Note"The former things" is a set phrase in this part of Isaiah for events announced in advance and since fulfilled, the track record being offered as evidence, as against the "things that are not yet done" in the next verse.

10From the very beginning I tell how things will end. From long ago I tell what has not happened yet. I say, 'My plan will stand, and I will do everything I intend to do.'

10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Note"Counsel" here means a settled plan or decision, not advice. "Pleasure" in 1611 English meant what someone has determined to do (one's will), rather than enjoyment.

11I call a bird of prey from the east. From a faraway country I call the man who will carry out my plan. I have said it, and I will make it happen. I have planned it, and I will do it.

11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Note"A ravenous bird" is a bird of prey, a standard image for a swift conqueror sweeping in. Isaiah has already named this man from the east twice: Cyrus of Persia, who took Babylon (44:28; 45:1).

12Listen to me, you stubborn people, you who are far from doing what is right.

12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

Note"Stouthearted" in 1611 English meant hard-hearted or obstinate, not brave. It is an insult here, not a compliment.

13I am bringing my righteousness near. It is not far away, and my rescue will not be delayed. I will put salvation in Zion, and give my splendor to Israel.

13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

NoteIn these chapters "righteousness" and "salvation" work as a matched pair meaning God setting things right and rescuing, a legal vindication as much as a deliverance. Zion is the hill Jerusalem was built on, used as a name for the city itself.