Isaiah 44:20

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

He feedeth {H7462} on ashes {H665}: a deceived {H2048} heart {H3820} hath turned him aside {H5186}, that he cannot deliver {H5337} his soul {H5315}, nor say {H559}, Is there not a lie {H8267} in my right hand {H3225}?

He is relying on ashes! A deceived heart has led him astray; so that now he won't save himself, just won't say, "This thing in my hand is a fraud!"

He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Isaiah 44:20 KJV presents a vivid and poignant critique of idolatry, highlighting the profound spiritual deception that grips those who worship false gods.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in the Book of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often called the "Book of Comfort," where the prophet emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and uniqueness, contrasting Him sharply with the impotence and absurdity of idols. In Isaiah 44, the Lord challenges His people to remember His past acts of deliverance and His sole claim as God. Verses 9-20 specifically mock the process of idol making, describing how a craftsman uses part of a tree for fuel and part for a god, demonstrating the inherent foolishness of bowing down to something of human creation. The idolater's inability to discern this obvious truth is the central theme leading up to verse 20.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Idolatry: The phrase "He feedeth on ashes" powerfully symbolizes the emptiness and lack of nourishment derived from worshipping anything other than the true God. It speaks to a life consumed by worthless pursuits, offering no spiritual sustenance or lasting satisfaction. Just as ashes provide no food, idols provide no life.
  • Spiritual Deception and Blindness: The core problem is "a deceived heart hath turned him aside." This highlights a profound internal spiritual blindness where the idolater is so thoroughly misled that they cannot perceive the obvious truth. This deception prevents them from recognizing the falsehood of their chosen object of worship.
  • Inability to Deliver Oneself: The consequence of this deception is that the idolater "cannot deliver his soul." Idols, being inanimate objects or mere concepts, possess no power to save, protect, or provide genuine liberation. True deliverance comes only from the living God, as emphasized throughout Scripture (Acts 4:12).
  • Profound Delusion: The final clause, "nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?", underscores the depth of the idolater's delusion. They are so consumed by their error that they cannot even question the validity of what they firmly grasp and trust. The "right hand" often signifies strength, possession, or commitment, implying a firm embrace of falsehood.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "ashes" ('epher) often denotes something utterly worthless, the residue of destruction, or a symbol of mourning, emphasizing the utter emptiness of idolatry. The phrase "deceived heart" (from the root natah, meaning "to turn aside" or "to incline") suggests a heart that has been led astray or has veered off course, often due to its own desires or the influence of falsehood, as seen in Jeremiah 17:9 where the heart is described as deceitful.

Reflection and Application

While ancient Israel faced literal idol worship, the message of Isaiah 44:20 remains profoundly relevant today. Modern idolatry often takes more subtle forms: the worship of money, power, fame, self, technology, political ideologies, or even relationships, where these things become the primary source of one's hope, security, or identity. This verse serves as a powerful warning against any pursuit that promises satisfaction but ultimately provides spiritual "ashes." It calls believers to examine their hearts and ask what they truly rely on and what they "feed" their souls with. Are we so deceived that we cannot discern the "lie in our right hand"—the false promises or misplaced trusts that prevent us from fully relying on the true God? The commentary reminds us of the critical need for spiritual discernment and the liberating truth that only God can truly satisfy and deliver.

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.

  • Hosea 12:1

    ¶ Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

  • Psalms 102:9

    For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

  • Romans 1:28

    And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

  • Job 15:31

    Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.

  • Romans 1:25

    Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

  • 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.

  • 2 Timothy 2:13

    If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

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