He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish [it].
He heweth him down {H3772} cedars {H730}, and taketh {H3947} the cypress {H8645} and the oak {H437}, which he strengtheneth {H553} for himself among the trees {H6086} of the forest {H3293}: he planteth {H5193} an ash {H766}, and the rain {H1653} doth nourish {H1431} it.
He goes to chop down cedars; he takes an evergreen and an oak; he especially tends one tree in the forest, plants a pine for the rain to nourish.
He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the holm-tree and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth a fir-tree, and the rain doth nourish it.
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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. -
Hosea 4:12
¶ My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused [them] to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. -
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 10:8
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities. -
Habakkuk 2:19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.
Isaiah 44:14 is part of a powerful and often satirical passage (Isaiah 44:9-20) where the prophet Isaiah vividly exposes the folly and futility of idol worship. This verse details the initial steps an idol maker takes in preparing the raw materials for their "god."
Context
The book of Isaiah addresses the nation of Israel, particularly during a time when they faced the temptation of turning away from the one true God and embracing the pagan practices of surrounding nations. Chapters 40-48 emphasize God's incomparable nature, His sovereignty over history, and His unique ability to declare the future. In this immediate context, Isaiah contrasts the living, all-powerful God with the lifeless, man-made idols. The prophet highlights the irony of humans expending great effort to create something that they then bow down to, something that cannot speak, see, or save.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew verbs used here paint a picture of deliberate, laborious effort. "Heweth" (חָצַב - chatsav) implies cutting and carving, while "strengtheneth" (אָמַץ - amats) suggests making something firm or strong. The mention of specific trees like "cedars," "cypress," and "oak" indicates the use of valuable, sturdy wood, emphasizing the perceived quality and durability of the intended idol, yet it remains inert. The simple observation that "the rain doth nourish" (יְגַדֵּל - yegaddel, from גָּדַל - gadal, to grow/make great) serves as a quiet reminder of divine providence, often taken for granted even by those who turn away from God.
Practical Application
While modern society may not typically worship wooden idols, the principle of idolatry remains highly relevant. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it wealth, career, relationships, power, comfort, or even self-image—can become an idol. This verse challenges us to examine what we "hew down" and "strengthen for ourselves" in our lives. Are we investing our primary efforts and devotion into things that are ultimately lifeless and unable to save, or are we seeking the living God who truly sustains and delivers? The passage reminds us to worship the Creator, not the created, and to recognize His continuous provision in all things, just as He nourishes the trees with rain (Acts 14:17).