Isaiah 44:17

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, [even] his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth [it], and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou [art] my god.

And the residue {H7611} thereof he maketh {H6213} a god {H410}, even his graven image {H6459}: he falleth down {H5456} unto it, and worshippeth {H7812} it, and prayeth {H6419} unto it, and saith {H559}, Deliver {H5337} me; for thou art my god {H410}.

With the rest of the log he fashions a god, a carved image, then falls down before it; he worships it and prays to it. "Save me," he says, "for you are my god!"

From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image; he falleth down unto it and worshippeth, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

Context

Isaiah 44:17 is part of a powerful and satirical passage (Isaiah 44:9-20) where the prophet Isaiah vividly exposes the utter foolishness and spiritual blindness of idol worship. In the preceding verses, Isaiah describes how a craftsman uses wood from the same tree: part of it is used for fuel to warm himself and bake bread, while the "residue" or remaining portion is then fashioned into a god. This context highlights the absurdity of elevating a self-made object, crafted from common material, to the status of a deity. The passage serves as a stark contrast between the impotent, man-made idols and the one true, living God who is the sole Creator and Deliverer.

Key Themes

  • The Folly of Idolatry: The verse strikingly illustrates the illogical nature of worshipping something crafted by human hands. The idol is lifeless, powerless, and made from the same material used for mundane purposes, yet the worshipper attributes divine power to it.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Self-Deception: The idolater, having just created the object, then bows down to it, worships it, and desperately cries out, "Deliver me; for thou art my god." This demonstrates a profound level of spiritual delusion and self-deception, where one places ultimate trust in a creation rather than the Creator.
  • Contrast with the True God: Implicitly, this passage serves to underscore the uniqueness and omnipotence of the one true God, who is uncreated and the source of all life and deliverance. The inability of the idol to deliver stands in stark contrast to God's genuine power to save and sustain, as detailed in other passages like Isaiah 45:5.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "graven image" translates the Hebrew word pesel (פֶּסֶל), which refers to something carved or hewn, typically from wood or stone. The detailed description of the worshipper's actions—"falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it"—emphasizes the complete devotion and absolute dependence placed upon this inanimate object. This highlights the depth of the spiritual error and the misdirection of true worship.

Significance and Application

While literal worship of carved images may seem less common in many modern societies, the principles of Isaiah 44:17 remain profoundly relevant. Idolatry, at its core, is placing ultimate trust, devotion, or hope in anything other than the one true God. This can manifest in various ways today:

  • Materialism: Making wealth, possessions, or status the ultimate pursuit and source of security.
  • Self-Worship: Believing in one's own abilities, achievements, or intellect as the primary means of salvation or fulfillment.
  • Ideologies and Systems: Placing absolute faith in political systems, philosophies, or human leaders to solve all problems and bring ultimate peace or justice.
  • Relationships: Expecting another person or relationship to fulfill needs that only God can truly satisfy.

This verse challenges us to examine what we truly rely on for deliverance, security, and identity. It serves as a powerful reminder that only the Creator, not the created, can truly deliver and be our God. It echoes the call for exclusive devotion to God found in the first commandment and highlights the spiritual blindness that occurs when we turn from the source of life to lifeless substitutes. The folly of idolatry, whether ancient or modern, lies in seeking life and deliverance from that which has no power to give it, as further described in Psalm 115:4-8.

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 45:20

    ¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

  • Daniel 3:17

    If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

  • 1 Kings 18:26

    And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

  • Daniel 6:27

    He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

  • Daniel 6:16

    Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

  • Isaiah 37:38

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Daniel 6:20

    And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

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