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.

I am the LORD {H3068}: that is my name {H8034}: and my glory {H3519} will I not give {H5414} to another {H312}, neither my praise {H8416} to graven images {H6456}.

I am ADONAI; that is my name. I yield my glory to no one else, nor my praise to any idol.

I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images.

Isaiah 42:8 is a powerful declaration of God's unique identity and absolute sovereignty, serving as a foundational statement against idolatry. This verse highlights the core of biblical monotheism: there is only one true God, and He will not share His inherent glory or deserved praise with anyone or anything else.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), a section often addressing the Israelites during or immediately following their Babylonian exile. During this period, God's people were surrounded by polytheistic cultures that worshipped numerous deities and created elaborate "graven images" (idols). Isaiah's message served to comfort, challenge, and remind Israel of the singular power and faithfulness of their God, encouraging them to reject the surrounding idolatry and trust in the Lord alone for their deliverance and future.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Unique Identity: The declaration "I am the LORD: that is my name" emphasizes God's personal, covenant name, YHWH (Yahweh). This signifies His self-existence, eternality, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. He is not merely one god among many, but the one true God.
  • Exclusive Worship and Divine Jealousy: The core message is God's refusal to share His "glory" (His inherent majesty, splendor, and honor) or His "praise" (the adoration and worship due to Him) with anyone or anything. This highlights God's divine jealousy for His rightful place as the sole object of worship. He demands exclusive devotion because He alone is worthy.
  • Condemnation of Idolatry: By specifically mentioning "graven images," the verse directly confronts the practice of creating and worshipping man-made idols. It underscores the futility of such worship, as these objects are lifeless and powerless, incapable of receiving or bestowing glory. Psalm 115:4-7 further illustrates the impotence of idols.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew term for "the LORD" is YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal, covenant name, conveying His self-existent and eternal nature. It's distinct from generic terms for deity.
  • "Glory" translates the Hebrew word kabod, which denotes weight, honor, splendor, and majesty. It refers to God's inherent, manifest presence and power.
  • "Praise" comes from the Hebrew tehillah, meaning adoration, laudation, or a hymn of praise.
  • "Graven images" is pesel in Hebrew, specifically referring to carved or molten idols, emphasizing their man-made and therefore inferior nature.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 42:8 serves as a timeless call to worship God alone. While physical idols may be less common in some cultures, the principle remains vital. We must examine our hearts and lives to ensure that nothing else—be it money, power, fame, comfort, relationships, or even self—usurps the place of God in our affections and devotion. Our ultimate allegiance, our highest praise, and our deepest glory belong exclusively to the Lord, who alone is worthy. This verse reminds us that true satisfaction and security are found only in Him, not in fleeting worldly pursuits. It reinforces the need for exclusive worship and a life lived for God's glory.

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 48:11

    For mine own sake, [even] for mine own sake, will I do [it]: for how should [my name] be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

  • Isaiah 43:11

    I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.

  • Exodus 34:14

    For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:

  • Exodus 20:3

    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • Exodus 3:13

    And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them?

  • Exodus 3:15

    And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.

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