Isaiah 40:20

40:19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

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. is so: Heb. is poor of oblation

KJV

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He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved.

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.

He that is so impoverished that he has no oblation chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks to him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

40:21 Have 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?

What does Isaiah 40:20 mean?

Isaiah 40:20 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include סָכַן (çâkan), תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh), בָּחַר (bâchar).

Hebrew interlinear

that

impoverishedסָכַןçâkan/saw-kan'/H5533properly, to cut, i.e. damage; also to grow (causatively, make) poor

that

hath

oblationתְּרוּמָהtᵉrûwmâh/ter-oo-maw'/H8641a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

choosethבָּחַרbâchar/baw-khar'/H977properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select

treeעֵץʻêts/ates/H6086a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

that

will

not

rot;רָקַבrâqab/raw-kab'/H7537to decay (as by worm-eating)

seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash/baw-kash'/H1245to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

unto

him

cunningחָכָםchâkâm/khaw-kawm'/H2450wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)

workmanחָרָשׁchârâsh/khaw-rawsh'/H2796a fabricator or any material

prepareכּוּןkûwn/koon/H3559properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)

graven

image,פֶּסֶלpeçel/peh'-sel/H6459an idol

that

shall

not

moved.מוֹטmôwṭ/mote/H4131to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall

so:

Heb.

poor

oblation

Topics

Idol Idolatry Trees

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 40:20.

1 Chronicles 14:1

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

1 Chronicles 22:15

Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work. workers: that is, masons and carpenters

2 Samuel 5:11

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. masons: Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 40:20 say?

Isaiah 40:20 (King James Version) reads: "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. is so: Heb. is poor of oblation"

Is Isaiah 40:20 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 40:20 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 40:20, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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