Bible/Isaiah/42

Isaiah 42:17

42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. straight: Heb. into straightness
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

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“Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.

They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.

42:18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

What does Isaiah 42:17 mean?

Isaiah 42:17 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include סוּג (çûwg), אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr), בֹּשֶׁת (bôsheth). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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They
shall
be
turnedסוּגçûwg/soog/H5472properly, to flinch, i.e. (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)
back,אָחוֹרʼâchôwr/aw-khore'/H268the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
they
shall
be
greatlyבֹּשֶׁתbôsheth/bo'-sheth/H1322shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
ashamed,בּוּשׁbûwsh/boosh/H954properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
that
trustבָּטַחbâṭach/baw-takh'/H982figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
in
graven
images,פֶּסֶלpeçel/peh'-sel/H6459an idol
that
sayאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
to
the
molten
images,מַסֵּכָהmaççêkâh/mas-say-kaw'/H4541properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e. league; concretely a coverlet (as if poured out)
Ye
are
our
gods.אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym/el-o-heem'/H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

Commentary on Isaiah 42:17

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 42:17
"gen14061" This expresses that very emphatically which many wise and good men feel very sensibly, what a grievous vexatious thing it is to have a foolish wicked child. See here, 1. How uncertain all our creature-comforts are, so that we are often not only disappointed in them, but that proves the greatest cross in which we promised ourselves most satisfaction. There was joy when a man-child was born into the world, and yet, if he prove vicious, his own father will wish he had never been born. The name of Absalom signifies his father's peace, but he was his greatest trouble. It should moderate the desire of having children, and the delights of their parents in them, that they may prove a grief to them; yet it should silence the murmurings of the afflicted father in that case that if his son be a fool he is a fool of his own begetting, and therefore he must make the best of him, and take it up as his cross, the rather because Adam begets a son in his own likeness. 2. How unwise we are in suffering one affliction (and that of an untoward child as likely as any other) to drown the sense of a thousand mercies: The father of a fool lays that so much to heart that he has no joy of any thing else. For this he may thank himself; there are joys sufficient to counterbalance even that sorrow. 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 23:8

And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. the wise: Heb. the seeing

Deuteronomy 16:19

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. words: or, matters

1 Samuel 8:3

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

1 Samuel 12:3

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. bribe: Heb. ransom to blind: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him

Isaiah 1:23

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Isaiah 21:14

The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. brought: or, bring ye

Isaiah 42:8

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Ezekiel 22:12

In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

Micah 7:3

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. his: Heb. the mischief of his soul

Mark 14:10

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Mark 14:11

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Topics

Trust

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 42:17.

Psalms 35:4

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Psalms 40:14

Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

Psalms 70:2

Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

Deuteronomy 27:15

Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? maker of: Heb. fashioner of his fashion

Isaiah 50:5

The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

Jeremiah 38:22

And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back. Thy friends: Heb. Men of thy peace

Jeremiah 46:5

Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD. beaten: Heb. broken in pieces fled: Heb. fled a flight

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 42:17 say?

Isaiah 42:17 (King James Version) reads: "They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods."

Is Isaiah 42:17 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 42:17 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 42:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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