Isaiah 42:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 42:8 stands as a profound declaration of Yahweh's singular identity and absolute sovereignty, serving as a foundational statement against all forms of idolatry. In this verse, God emphatically asserts His unique name and inherent nature, proclaiming that He will not share His intrinsic glory or the praise rightfully due to Him with any other entity, whether human or man-made image. It underscores the exclusivity of divine worship and God's righteous jealousy for His preeminent position, establishing the core principle of monotheism central to biblical faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 42:8 is situated within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, specifically the first of these songs (Isaiah 42:1-9). This section introduces the figure of the Lord's Servant, who is chosen by God, endowed with the Spirit, and commissioned to bring justice to the nations. Immediately preceding this verse, the Lord speaks of His Servant and His mission, emphasizing His own active role in global affairs and His unique power. The declaration in verse 8 thus serves as a powerful theological anchor, affirming the identity and authority of the God who sends this Servant. It sets the stage for the Servant's work by establishing the singular nature of the God he serves, contrasting Yahweh's omnipotence with the impotence of idols, a theme prevalent throughout [Isaiah 40-55](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40-55 - The Book of Consolation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah, particularly chapters 40-55, speaks to the Israelites during or in anticipation of their [Babylonian exile](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile"). During this period, God's people were immersed in a polytheistic culture where the worship of numerous deities and the creation of elaborate "graven images" were commonplace. The Babylonian pantheon, with its vast array of gods and goddesses, presented a constant temptation and challenge to Israel's monotheistic faith. Isaiah's message served to comfort, challenge, and remind Israel of the singular power, faithfulness, and covenant loyalty of their God. By declaring His unique name and refusal to share glory, the Lord directly confronted the surrounding idolatry, encouraging Israel to reject the futile practices of their captors and to trust in Yahweh alone for their deliverance and future restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Isaiah and biblical theology as a whole. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's Unique Identity and Sovereignty**, declaring "I am the LORD: that is my name," which refers to His personal, covenant name, [YHWH (Yahweh)](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God Reveals His Name 'I AM'"). 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, the sole Creator and Sustainer. Secondly, the verse highlights **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 else. This underscores God's [divine jealousy](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy for Exclusive Worship") for His rightful place as the sole object of worship, demanding exclusive devotion because He alone is worthy. Lastly, it delivers a strong **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 and emptiness of such worship, as these objects are lifeless and powerless, incapable of receiving or bestowing glory, a truth echoed in passages like [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the tetragrammaton YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal and covenant name, derived from the root "to be" (H1961, _hâyâh_). It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature of God. By declaring "I am the LORD: that is my name," God asserts His unique, incomparable identity as the one true, living God who actively intervenes in history and keeps His covenant promises. This name distinguishes Him from all other so-called gods.
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** From the root "to be heavy" or "to be weighty," _kâbôwd_ refers to God's inherent weight, honor, splendor, and majesty. It encompasses His visible manifestation, His inherent worth, and the awe-inspiring display of His power and presence. God's declaration that He will not give His glory to another emphasizes that His divine essence and manifest presence are exclusively His and cannot be shared with created beings or false deities.
* **graven images (Hebrew, _pᵉçîyl'_):** This term refers specifically to carved or molten idols, emphasizing their man-made origin. The word is related to the verb "to cut" or "to carve." By contrasting His glory and praise with "graven images," God highlights the utter impotence and worthlessness of idols. They are the work of human hands, lifeless and powerless, incapable of receiving or reflecting true glory or praise, making their worship an affront to the living God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name:"** This opening clause is a powerful self-identification. "The LORD" (YHWH) is God's covenant name, signifying His self-existence, eternality, and His unique relationship with Israel. The declaration "that is my name" is not merely a statement of appellation but an assertion of His unique, incomparable identity and authority. It sets Him apart as the one true God, distinct from all other deities.
* **"and my glory will I not give to another,"** This clause emphasizes God's exclusive claim to His inherent splendor, majesty, and honor. God's glory is His divine essence, His manifest presence, and the sum of all His perfections. To "give" it to another implies sharing His divine nature or allowing another to receive the worship and recognition due only to Him. This God emphatically refuses, underscoring His absolute sovereignty and His demand for exclusive worship. "Another" refers to any other being or entity that might usurp His divine prerogative.
* **"neither my praise to graven images."** This final clause specifies the direct object of God's refusal to share His praise. "Praise" (Hebrew, _tᵉhillâh_) refers to adoration, laudation, and the worship expressed through hymns and declarations of worth. By explicitly naming "graven images," God condemns idolatry in its most tangible form. These man-made objects are lifeless and powerless, utterly unworthy of the adoration that belongs solely to the living God. This statement highlights the futility and offense of worshipping anything other than Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 42:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Declaration**, as God directly proclaims His identity and immutable will. This authoritative, first-person statement ("I am the LORD") lends immense weight and finality to the pronouncement. Following this, **Contrast** is powerfully used, juxtaposing God's unique glory and deserved praise with the impotence and unworthiness of "another" (any rival god or human claimant) and specifically "graven images." This stark contrast highlights the vast chasm between the Creator and creation, and between the living God and lifeless idols. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Emphasis through Repetition and Parallelism**, reinforcing the idea that neither God's "glory" nor His "praise" will be shared. The parallel structure of "my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images" strengthens the condemnation of idolatry and reiterates God's exclusive claim to worship. Finally, the verse implicitly employs **Divine Jealousy** as a thematic device, though not explicitly stated with the word "jealous." God's refusal to share His glory and praise stems from His holy nature, which cannot tolerate rivals or allow His rightful honor to be diminished by false worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 42:8 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical doctrine of monotheism and God's absolute uniqueness. It asserts that Yahweh is the one true God, incomparable and without peer, and therefore He alone is worthy of ultimate glory and praise. This declaration serves as a cornerstone against all forms of idolatry, whether the literal worship of carved images or the more subtle idolatry of placing anything—be it wealth, power, self, or relationships—in the rightful place of God in our hearts. God's refusal to share His glory stems from His perfect holiness and His inherent worth, signifying that any attempt to ascribe divine honor to another is not merely a mistake but an affront to His character. This verse sets the stage for understanding God's redemptive plan, as only a God of such singular power and glory could accomplish the salvation promised through His Servant.

* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God Alone is God")
* [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God's Glory Will Not Be Shared")
* [Psalm 96:7-8](/psalms/96-7 "Psalm 96:7-8 - Ascribe Glory and Praise to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 42:8 calls believers to a profound examination of their worship and allegiance. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, the timeless truth that God will not share His glory or praise remains profoundly relevant. While overt "graven images" may be less common in some contexts, modern idolatry often manifests in more subtle forms: the pursuit of success, the accumulation of wealth, the craving for approval, the worship of self, or the devotion to fleeting pleasures. This verse challenges us to identify anything that usurps God's rightful place in our lives, anything that receives the "glory" or "praise" that belongs solely to Him. True spiritual health and freedom come from acknowledging God's unique sovereignty and offering Him undivided devotion. Our ultimate satisfaction, security, and purpose are found only when our hearts are fully surrendered to the One who alone is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. This verse reminds us that genuine worship is not merely an act but a posture of the heart, reflecting God's supreme value in all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graven images" or "others" in my life might be subtly receiving the glory and praise that belong only to God?**
* **How does understanding God's refusal to share His glory impact my view of His holiness and my responsibility to worship Him alone?**
* **In what practical ways can I ensure that my daily life, decisions, and affections are directed towards glorifying God exclusively?**
* **How does the uniqueness of God, as declared in this verse, provide comfort and security in a chaotic world?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that God will not "give His glory to another"?**

Answer: This statement means that God will not share His inherent divine splendor, majesty, and honor with anyone or anything else. His glory is an intrinsic part of His being, representing His unique perfection, power, and presence. To "give" it to another would imply that a created being or an idol could possess or be worthy of the same divine adoration and recognition that belongs solely to Him. It underscores God's absolute uniqueness and His demand for exclusive worship. It's a declaration against polytheism and any form of idolatry that attempts to elevate anything to His level.

**How does Isaiah 42:8 relate to the concept of God's jealousy?**

Answer: While the word "jealous" is not explicitly used in Isaiah 42:8, the verse strongly implies God's holy jealousy for His name and glory. God's jealousy, as seen in passages like [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy for Exclusive Worship") ("for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God"), is not a human flaw but a divine attribute. It signifies His passionate commitment to His own honor and His intolerance of anything that would usurp His rightful place as the sole object of worship. His refusal to share His glory or praise with "another" or "graven images" is a direct manifestation of this holy jealousy, ensuring that His people understand His absolute claim on their devotion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 42:8, with its emphatic declaration of Yahweh's exclusive glory and praise, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse asserts that God will not share His glory with "another" or "graven images," the New Testament reveals that the Son, Jesus Christ, inherently possesses and reflects the very glory of God. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") states, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus is not "another" in the sense of a rival deity, but the very [radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus, the Radiance of God's Glory"). He is the visible manifestation of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), through whom all things were created ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")). Therefore, when humanity worships Jesus, they are not giving God's glory to "another," but are rightly giving glory to God Himself, for the Father has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). The praise and glory given to the Lamb in [Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Lamb is Worthy of Praise") is a divine praise, demonstrating that in Christ, God's glory is not diminished but perfectly revealed and supremely honored.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.