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:

Their land {H776} also is full {H4390} of idols {H457}; they worship {H7812} the work {H4639} of their own hands {H3027}, that which their own fingers {H676} have made {H6213}:

Their land is full of idols; everyone worships the work of his hands, what his own fingers have made.

Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.

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

Commentary

Isaiah 2:8 delivers a stark indictment against the people of Judah for their widespread idolatry, a recurring theme in prophetic literature. This verse, part of Isaiah's early prophecies, highlights a profound spiritual failing: the worship of created objects over the true God.

Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah Chapter 2, which opens with a glorious vision of God's future kingdom and Jerusalem as a center of divine instruction (Isaiah 2:2-4). However, the prophecy quickly shifts to a severe condemnation of Judah's present spiritual state, characterized by pride, self-sufficiency, and grave sin. The "Day of the Lord" is introduced as a time of humbling judgment against all human arrogance and false worship (Isaiah 2:12). Verse 8 specifically identifies idolatry as a primary offense, showing how deep the spiritual corruption ran in the land.

Key Themes

  • Widespread Idolatry: The phrase "Their land also is full of idols" emphasizes the pervasive nature of false worship. It wasn't an isolated practice but had permeated society. This was a direct violation of the first commandment given to Israel, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
  • Futility of Man-Made Gods: The core of the accusation is that "they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made." This highlights the absurdity and self-deception inherent in idolatry. People were bowing down to objects crafted by their own limited ability, which inherently possess no divine power or life. This sentiment echoes the warnings found in Psalm 115 about the futility of man-made gods.
  • Spiritual Blindness: The act of worshipping something one has created demonstrates a profound spiritual blindness, failing to recognize the infinite Creator who made all things, including the hands that fashioned the idols.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "idols" here is ืึฑืœึดื™ืœึดื™ื (สพelilim), which often carries the connotation of "worthless things," "things of nought," or "non-gods." This term powerfully conveys the emptiness and insignificance of the objects being worshipped, contrasting sharply with the majesty and power of the one true God.

Practical Application

While modern societies may not carve physical statues to worship, the principle of idolatry remains highly relevant. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our livesโ€”be it money, power, possessions, career, relationships, self, or even technology and comfortโ€”can become an idol. Isaiah 2:8 serves as a timeless reminder to examine our hearts and priorities, ensuring that our ultimate allegiance and worship are given solely to the Creator, not to the "work of our own hands" or any created thing. The call to "keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21) is as pertinent today as it was in ancient Judah.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 115:4

    Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

  • Psalms 115:8

    They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

  • Revelation 9:20

    And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

  • Isaiah 37:19

    And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

  • Isaiah 57:5

    Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

  • 2 Chronicles 28:2

    For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
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