Isaiah 40:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A man too poor to afford an offering chooses a piece of wood that won't rot, then seeks out a skilled artisan to prepare an image that won't fall over.

Berean Standard Bible:

To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple?

American Standard Version:

He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

He that is so impoverished{H5533}{H5534} that he hath no oblation{H8641} chooseth{H977} a tree{H6086} that will not rot{H7537}; he seeketh{H1245} unto him a cunning{H2450} workman{H2796} to prepare{H3559} a graven image{H6459}, that shall not be moved{H4131}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 41:7

  • So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, [and] he that smootheth [with] the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It [is] ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, [that] it should not be moved.

Isaiah 46:7

  • They 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.

Jeremiah 10:3

  • For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Jeremiah 10:4

  • They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Isaiah 2:8

  • Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

Isaiah 2:9

  • And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

Daniel 5:23

  • But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

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Commentary for Isaiah 40:20

No commentary available.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5533
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סָכַן
    Transliteration: çâkan
    Pronunciation: saw-kan'
    Description: probably a denominative from שַׂכִּין; properly, to cut, i.e. damage; also to grow (causatively, make) poor; endanger, impoverish.
  2. Strong's Number: H5534
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סָכַר
    Transliteration: çâkar
    Pronunciation: saw-kar'
    Description: a primitive root; to shut up; by implication, to surrender; stop, give over. See also סָגַר, שָׂכַר.
  3. Strong's Number: H8641
    There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תְּרוּמָה
    Transliteration: tᵉrûwmâh
    Pronunciation: ter-oo-maw'
    Description: or תְּרֻמָה; (Deuteronomy 12:11), from רוּם; a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute; gift, heave offering (shoulder), oblation, offered(-ing).
  4. Strong's Number: H977
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּחַר
    Transliteration: bâchar
    Pronunciation: baw-khar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
  5. Strong's Number: H6086
    There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵץ
    Transliteration: ʻêts
    Pronunciation: ates
    Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
  6. Strong's Number: H7537
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָקַב
    Transliteration: râqab
    Pronunciation: raw-kab'
    Description: a primitive root; to decay (as by worm-eating); rot.
  7. Strong's Number: H1245
    There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
    Transliteration: bâqash
    Pronunciation: baw-kash'
    Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
  8. Strong's Number: H2450
    There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָכָם
    Transliteration: châkâm
    Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
    Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).
  9. Strong's Number: H2796
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָרָשׁ
    Transliteration: chârâsh
    Pronunciation: khaw-rawsh'
    Description: from חָרַשׁ; a fabricator or any material; artificer, ([phrase]) carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, [phrase] mason, skilful, ([phrase]) smith, worker, workman, such as wrought.
  10. Strong's Number: H3559
    There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כּוּן
    Transliteration: kûwn
    Pronunciation: koon
    Description: a primitive root; properly, 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); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
  11. Strong's Number: H6459
    There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּסֶל
    Transliteration: peçel
    Pronunciation: peh'-sel
    Description: lemma פֶסֶל missing dagesh, corrected to פֶּסֶל; from פָּסַל; an idol; carved (graven) image.
  12. Strong's Number: H4131
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹט
    Transliteration: môwṭ
    Pronunciation: mote
    Description: a primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall; be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, [idiom] exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip.