Isaiah 45:20

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Assemble {H6908} yourselves and come {H935}; draw near {H5066} together {H3162}, ye that are escaped {H6412} of the nations {H1471}: they have no knowledge {H3045} that set up {H5375} the wood {H6086} of their graven image {H6459}, and pray {H6419} unto a god {H410} that cannot save {H3467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Assemble, come and gather together, you refugees from the nations! Those carrying their wooden idols are ignorant, they pray to a god that cannot save.

Berean Standard Bible

Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 45:20 issues a profound divine summons to the nations, particularly those who have survived judgment, to abandon the utter futility of idolatry. It presents a stark and undeniable contrast between the inertness of man-made images, crafted from mere wood and inherently incapable of delivering salvation, and the singular, omnipotent power of the one true God, who alone possesses the knowledge to declare future events and the might to save. The verse stands as a foundational declaration of Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty and a compelling call to spiritual discernment and repentance for all peoples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 45:20 is strategically placed within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a pivotal section of Isaiah's prophecy renowned for its majestic declarations of God's unique sovereignty, His faithfulness to Israel, and the ultimate restoration of His people. This verse immediately follows a powerful affirmation of Yahweh as the sole Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos, who speaks righteousness and declares what is to come, emphasizing His unparalleled ability to reveal the future and fulfill His word (e.g., [Isaiah 45:18-19](/isaiah/45-18-19 "Isaiah 45:18-19 - God as Creator and Revealer of Truth")). The broader context of [Isaiah 44](/isaiah/44 "Isaiah 44 - God's Uniqueness and the Folly of Idols") and [Isaiah 45](/isaiah/45 "Isaiah 45 - God's Sovereignty and Cyrus") systematically and often sarcastically dismantles the credibility of idols, highlighting their inertness, their dependence on human craftsmanship, and their utter inability to act or save. This sustained polemic against idolatry culminates in the direct challenge and universal invitation extended in verse 20.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Isaiah's prophecy is the impending or ongoing Babylonian exile of Judah, a period marked by profound national crisis and spiritual testing. During this era, ancient Near Eastern societies were deeply immersed in polytheistic worship, where a pantheon of deities was represented by physical idols meticulously crafted from various materials like wood, stone, and metal. These idols were not merely symbols but were believed to be conduits or even embodiments of the god's presence and power, to whom people would pray for protection, prosperity, and deliverance from their enemies. Isaiah's message directly confronts this pervasive cultural practice, asserting the radical monotheism of Yahweh in stark opposition to the prevailing paganism. The phrase "escaped of the nations" likely refers to those non-Israelite peoples who had survived the devastating judgments and geopolitical upheavals orchestrated by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, now being called to recognize the true God amidst the collapse of their own national deities and human powers.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 45:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah. Foremost is the **Folly and Impotence of Idolatry**, vividly portraying the absurdity of worshipping inanimate objects that "cannot save," a theme frequently emphasized throughout [Isaiah 40-48](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's Word"). This stands in sharp contrast to the theme of **God's Exclusive Sovereignty and Power**, underscoring that only Yahweh is the living God, capable of true salvation, revelation, and the declaration of future events, unlike any false god. The indictment "they have no knowledge" highlights the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Profound Ignorance**, exposing the lack of discernment among idolaters who fail to perceive the self-evident truth about God's uniqueness and the inertness of their creations. Finally, the imperative summons to "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations" introduces the profound theme of a **Universal Call to Salvation**, indicating that God's redemptive plan extends beyond the covenant people of Israel to encompass Gentiles who turn from their false gods, a truth beautifully elaborated in passages such as [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - God's Servant as a Light to the Nations") and [Isaiah 55:1-5](/isaiah/55-1-5 "Isaiah 55:1-5 - An Invitation to Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term (H1471) specifically refers to foreign nations or Gentiles, distinguishing them from Israel. Its use in this context is highly significant, indicating that God's authoritative summons and the revelation of His unique identity are not confined to His covenant people but are extended universally to all peoples, particularly those who have endured divine judgments or are being called out of their entrenched pagan practices.
* **Knowledge (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** The Hebrew word (H3045) for "knowledge" encompasses far more than mere intellectual information; it denotes a deep, experiential understanding, intimate acquaintance, recognition, and discerning insight. When the text asserts that idolaters "have no knowledge," it points to a profound spiritual ignorance and foolishness—a fundamental failure to comprehend the self-evident truth about God's nature and the utter impotence of idols, despite the clear evidence of His creative power and historical actions.
* **Save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3467) fundamentally means "to be open, wide or free," and by implication, "to be safe." Causatively, it signifies "to free or succor," encompassing deliverance, rescue, and the provision of salvation. The emphatic negation "cannot save" is the linchpin of Isaiah's indictment against idolatry. It directly challenges the primary purpose for which people worshipped idols—to seek deliverance or help—and unequivocally declares that only the true God possesses the inherent power to deliver, rescue, and bring ultimate salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations":** This opening phrase constitutes a powerful, authoritative, and imperative summons from the Lord. It is directed not exclusively to Israel but broadly to the Gentiles ("nations"), specifically those who have survived or "escaped" the various divine judgments, wars, or historical upheavals. It functions as an invitation to a divine courtroom or a place of revelation, urging them to approach collectively to hear God's verdict and His revealed truth concerning Himself and the futility of their false gods.
* **"they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image,"** This clause precisely identifies the spiritual blindness and profound ignorance that characterizes idolaters. Despite the undeniable reality that their supposed gods are nothing more than inanimate objects made of common "wood" and meticulously fashioned by human hands ("set up"), these worshippers lack the fundamental "knowledge" or spiritual discernment to recognize the utter futility and absurdity of their actions. Their spiritual perception is so clouded that they are unable to grasp this self-evident truth.
* **"and pray unto a god [that] cannot save."** This concluding phrase delivers the ultimate condemnation of idolatry. It exposes the core deception and tragic irony: people direct their worship, supplication, and desperate pleas ("pray") to a "god" (H410, _ʼêl_, used here generally for any deity, but specifically for a false one) that is completely devoid of any power to deliver, rescue, or provide salvation. This highlights the spiritual emptiness and ultimate despair inherent in such worship, contrasting it sharply with the omnipotent, active, and saving power of Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 45:20 is masterfully crafted with several potent literary devices that amplify its message. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the prophet highlights the inherent absurdity of human beings praying to an object they themselves fashioned from "wood"—something inherently lifeless and powerless—for the very purpose of salvation. This often takes the form of biting **Sarcasm** or **Ridicule**, a characteristic prophetic technique employed by Isaiah to expose the foolishness of idolatry by emphasizing the stark contrast between the inert, dependent idol and the living, active, self-sufficient God. The verse also employs striking **Contrast**, setting the "escaped of the nations" who are called to true knowledge against those who "have no knowledge" and persist in worshipping false gods. This creates a clear dichotomy between spiritual enlightenment and profound spiritual blindness. Furthermore, the opening commands ("Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together") are powerful **Imperatives**, conveying the urgency, authority, and non-negotiable nature of God's summons, presenting it not as a mere suggestion but as a divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 45:20 stands as a majestic testament to the absolute uniqueness and unparalleled sovereignty of the God of Israel. It asserts a radical and uncompromising monotheism, unequivocally declaring that there is no other God who can genuinely save, reveal the future, or act decisively in history, thereby directly challenging the pervasive polytheistic worldview of the ancient Near East. The theological implication is profound: humanity's deepest needs—for salvation, guidance, ultimate meaning, and deliverance from sin and judgment—can only be met by the one true Creator, Yahweh, and never by human constructs or false deities. The "no knowledge" attributed to the idolaters underscores the critical necessity of divine revelation for true understanding and highlights the profound spiritual blindness that inevitably results from rejecting God's self-disclosure. This verse also powerfully foreshadows a universal scope of salvation, extending an unprecedented invitation even to the Gentiles to turn from their futile practices and acknowledge Yahweh as the only true deliverer.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Powerlessness and Folly of Idols")
* [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3-5 "Jeremiah 10:3-5 - The Vanity and Helplessness of Idols")
* [Acts 17:29-30](/acts/17-29-30 "Acts 17:29-30 - Paul's Call to Repentance from Idolatry in Athens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While contemporary societies may not commonly engage in the worship of physical "graven images" made of wood, the core principle of idolatry remains profoundly and pervasively relevant. An idol, in its essence, is anything that usurps the rightful place of God in our lives—anything we rely on for our ultimate security, identity, meaning, or salvation apart from Him. This insidious form of idolatry can manifest as an obsessive pursuit of wealth, career success, romantic relationships, physical appearance, political ideologies, or even an overweening self-reliance and personal autonomy. Isaiah 45:20 issues a penetrating challenge to us to critically examine the true objects of our ultimate trust and devotion. Do we, perhaps subtly, place our hope in things that "cannot save"—temporal, finite, and ultimately powerless entities—or do we place our unwavering trust in the living God who alone possesses the inherent power to deliver, redeem, and provide lasting purpose and eternal life? The profound spiritual blindness of the idolaters serves as a sobering warning against our own potential for self-deception and underscores the continuous need for vigilant spiritual discernment. We are called to actively pursue a genuine and experiential "knowledge" of the true God through His Word and Spirit, allowing Him to expose and dismantle any false gods that may have subtly crept into the affections of our hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graven images" or false gods might I be setting up in my own life, consciously or unconsciously, that ultimately "cannot save"?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I tend to rely on my own strength, possessions, achievements, or human relationships rather than trusting in God alone for security, provision, and deliverance?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more experiential "knowledge" of the true God to guard against spiritual blindness and the subtle, pervasive forms of idolatry prevalent in my contemporary culture?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take to reorient my affections, allegiances, and ultimate trust solely toward the living God, recognizing His exclusive power to save and transform?**

### FAQ

**Who are "ye that are escaped of the nations" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "ye that are escaped of the nations" refers to Gentiles (non-Israelites) who have survived or been delivered from the various judgments, wars, and geopolitical upheavals that characterized the ancient Near East, particularly those brought about by powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon. Isaiah is addressing those who have witnessed the collapse of human powers and the demonstrable impotence of their national deities, and he is now extending an urgent invitation for them to recognize and turn to the one true God of Israel. This suggests a universal scope to God's redemptive plan, calling all peoples to turn from their empty, false worship to the one true God who alone possesses the power to save and to declare the future ([Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")).

**Why does Isaiah emphasize that idolaters "have no knowledge"?**

Answer: Isaiah's emphasis on idolaters having "no knowledge" (H3045, _yâdaʻ_) highlights a profound spiritual ignorance and a critical lack of discernment, rather than merely a deficit of information. Despite the overwhelming evidence of God's power in creation (as described in [Isaiah 45:18](/isaiah/45-18 "Isaiah 45:18 - God as Creator and Sustainer")) and in His sovereign control over historical events (such as raising up Cyrus in [Isaiah 45:1-7](/isaiah/45-1-7 "Isaiah 45:1-7 - God's Sovereignty Over Cyrus")), idolaters fail to grasp the fundamental truth that their deities are nothing more than inanimate objects crafted by human hands. This "no knowledge" signifies a deep spiritual blindness that prevents them from perceiving the obvious futility of worshipping something that "cannot save," contrasting sharply with the true God who declares the end from the beginning.

**What is the significance of "wood" in relation to the graven image?**

Answer: The specific mention of "wood" (H6086, _ʻêts_) emphasizes the mundane, earthly, and entirely man-made origin of the idol. It serves to underscore the utter absurdity and illogical nature of worshipping something that begins as a common piece of material, meticulously crafted and shaped by human hands (a process vividly detailed in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Making an Idol")). By highlighting the base material, Isaiah deliberately strips the idol of any pretense of divinity, exposing it as a mere artifact, completely lacking inherent power, life, or the ability to respond to prayers or provide salvation. This stands in stark contrast to the living God who created all things, including the very wood itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 45:20, with its profound contrast between the impotence of man-made idols and the exclusive saving power of the one true God, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "god that cannot save" is exposed as utterly worthless and a profound deception in the radiant light of the saving work accomplished by Jesus, who is definitively identified as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, as God incarnate, is the definitive answer to humanity's desperate need for a Savior, demonstrating divine power not through inert images but through miraculous signs, His authoritative teaching, His resurrection from the dead, and the divine prerogative to forgive sins ([Matthew 9:6](/matthew/9-6 "Matthew 9:6 - Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins")). The "no knowledge" of the idolaters is powerfully overcome by the illuminating light of Christ, who declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), and who perfectly reveals the Father to humanity ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Furthermore, the prophetic call to "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations" beautifully foreshadows the New Testament's Great Commission, where the gospel of salvation in Christ is extended to "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), inviting all people, from every tribe and tongue, to turn from their empty idols—whether physical artifacts or spiritual dependencies—to the one and only Lord who alone can truly deliver, redeem, and bestow eternal life ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")).

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

Jeremiah 10:5

They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.

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.

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?

Isaiah 43:9

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.

Psalms 115:8

They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

Isaiah 46:1

¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.