Isaiah 40:20

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 {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}.

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.

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?

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.

Isaiah 40:20 continues the prophet’s powerful indictment against idolatry, contrasting the futility of man-made gods with the incomparable majesty and eternal nature of the true God. This verse focuses on the desperate measures taken by those who turn to false worship, particularly highlighting the craftsmanship and perceived durability of their idols.

Context

Chapter 40 of Isaiah opens with a message of comfort and hope for Israel, proclaiming the end of their period of punishment and the imminent return of the Lord. Following this comforting introduction, Isaiah shifts to emphasize God’s absolute greatness and unique power. He challenges the people to consider the vastness of creation and the insignificance of nations before God (Isaiah 40:15). In verses 18-20, Isaiah directly addresses the absurdity of idolatry, setting the stage for later declarations of God's unmatched sovereignty (as seen in Isaiah 40:28).

Key Themes

  • The Folly of Idolatry: The verse vividly illustrates the human effort and material resources invested in creating something lifeless. It underscores the profound foolishness of worshipping an object crafted by human hands, especially when contrasted with the Creator of the universe.
  • Human Desperation and Resourcefulness: The phrase "He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation" might suggest someone lacking the means for a proper sacrifice to the true God, or perhaps a spiritual poverty leading them to seek tangible, albeit false, security. Despite this "poverty," they are resourceful in finding durable materials ("a tree that will not rot") and skilled labor ("a cunning workman") to construct their deity.
  • The Illusion of Permanence: The desire for an idol "that shall not be moved" speaks to a human longing for stability and an unchanging source of power. Ironically, they seek this in a static, man-made object, rather than in the truly immutable God who alone is unchanging.
  • Contrast with God's Sovereignty: The entire passage implicitly contrasts the weakness of these carved images with the omnipotent God who "sitteth upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22) and "giveth power to the faint" (Isaiah 40:29).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Impoverished... no oblation": The Hebrew word for "impoverished" (dal) can mean poor, weak, or insignificant. "Oblation" (terumah) refers to an offering or contribution, often for religious purposes. This phrase might imply either financial poverty preventing a proper sacrifice or a spiritual state where true worship is absent.
  • "Tree that will not rot": This highlights the practical desire for durability. Common choices for such idols in the ancient Near East included cedar or cypress wood, known for their resistance to decay.
  • "Cunning workman": The Hebrew term (ḥarash ḥakam) emphasizes the skill and artistry involved. It underscores that the idol is entirely a product of human ingenuity, not divine power.
  • "Graven image": (pesel) refers specifically to a carved or sculptured idol, distinguishing it from molten images or other forms.
  • "Shall not be moved": This phrase (lo' yimmaṭ) literally means "will not be shaken" or "will not totter." It points to the idol's physical stability, a stark contrast to the true God who is the ultimate source of stability and strength. The irony lies in seeking an unmovable deity from a humanly constructed object.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically carve wooden idols, the principles of Isaiah 40:20 remain deeply relevant. We often create "idols" out of things we rely on for security, identity, or happiness apart from God. These can include:

  • Material Possessions: Seeking lasting security or happiness in wealth, possessions, or status.
  • Human Achievements: Finding ultimate worth in career success, academic accomplishments, or personal talents.
  • Relationships: Placing undue expectations on people to fulfill needs that only God can meet.
  • Self-Reliance: Trusting solely in one's own abilities and wisdom instead of acknowledging God's sovereignty.

This verse challenges us to examine what we truly depend on, what we invest our time and energy into, and what we believe will "not be moved" in our lives. It calls us to recognize the futility of human-made constructs for ultimate meaning and to instead place our trust in the unchanging God, who alone is truly unmovable and the source of all lasting hope and strength.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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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