Isaiah 46:2

KJV

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

KJV (with Strong's)

They stoop {H7164}, they bow down {H3766} together {H3162}; they could {H3201} not deliver {H4422} the burden {H4853}, but themselves {H5315} are gone {H1980} into captivity {H7628}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They stoop and bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.

Berean Standard Bible

The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.

American Standard Version

They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 46:2 delivers a potent prophetic declaration concerning the utter impotence of the false gods worshipped by Babylon, particularly Bel and Nebo. It vividly portrays these revered deities, embodied by their heavy cultic statues, as being unable to stand or save themselves, let alone their devotees. Instead, they are depicted as mere burdens, stooping and bowing under their own weight, destined to be carried away into captivity alongside their worshippers, a stark and humiliating contrast to the true God of Israel who actively carries and delivers His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a powerful oracle found in Isaiah 46, which serves as a direct challenge to the pagan deities of Babylon. Following the explicit naming of Bel and Nebo in [Isaiah 46:1](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1 - Bel and Nebo Bow Down"), verse 2 continues to elaborate on their ignominious fate. The passage as a whole forms a crucial segment within the broader "Book of Consolation" (Isaiah 40-55), where God repeatedly contrasts His unparalleled sovereignty and faithfulness with the futility of idols. This particular oracle underscores the theme of God's unique ability to declare the end from the beginning and to accomplish His purposes, specifically the liberation of His people from Babylonian exile, as seen in [Isaiah 46:9-11](/isaiah/46-9 "Isaiah 46:9-11 - God's Unrivaled Plan"). The imagery of idols being carried as burdens stands in profound antithesis to God's tender promise to [carry His people from birth to old age](/isaiah/46-3 "Isaiah 46:3 - God Carries His People"), highlighting His enduring strength and steadfast love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 46 is set against the backdrop of the impending fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire to the rising power of Persia under Cyrus the Great (c. 539 BC). Babylon was renowned for its elaborate religious system and numerous gods, chief among them Marduk (often identified with Bel) and Nabu (Nebo), who were central to the state cult and public processions. During religious festivals, massive statues of these gods were paraded through the city, symbolizing their power and the nation's security. The act of "carrying" these gods was a sign of devotion and strength. Isaiah's prophecy directly subverts this cultural norm, depicting the very objects of worship as helpless burdens, unable to resist their own capture and removal. For the exiled Israelites, who had witnessed Babylon's grandeur and its gods, this prophecy offered immense hope, demonstrating that their God, Yahweh, was superior to all other deities and was orchestrating their deliverance from a powerful empire that seemed invincible.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature.
* **The Futility of Idolatry:** The most prominent theme is the absolute powerlessness and worthlessness of false gods. They are depicted as inert objects, incapable of action, protection, or deliverance. This underscores the foolishness and spiritual danger of placing trust in anything other than the one true God, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Lifelessness of Idols").
* **God's Unrivaled Sovereignty:** By contrasting the weakness of the Babylonian gods with His own omnipotence, the passage implicitly exalts the unparalleled power and control of the God of Israel. He is the one who orchestrates historical events, brings down mighty empires, and delivers His chosen people, proving that His plans are unchangeable and His strength is inexhaustible, as affirmed in [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Unending Power").
* **Divine Judgment on False Worship:** The prophecy extends judgment not only to the worshippers but also to the idols themselves. The fact that the gods are carried away into captivity alongside their devotees serves as a stark warning against the spiritual consequences of idolatry and highlights God's ultimate authority over all creation and all nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stoop (Hebrew, _qâraç'_):** This primitive root (H7164) properly means "to protrude," but is used here in the sense of "to hunch" or "be hump-backed," implying a physical posture of being weighed down or bent over. In the context of idols, it vividly portrays their inability to stand upright or support themselves, suggesting a state of weakness, collapse, or being burdened to the point of breaking.
* **bow down (Hebrew, _kâraʻ'_):** This primitive root (H3766) means "to bend the knee," and by implication, "to sink" or "to prostrate." While often used for acts of worship or submission, here it applies to the idols themselves, emphasizing their involuntary collapse under a heavy load or their forced submission to a superior power. It reinforces the image of their physical inability to maintain their position or authority.
* **burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** Derived from the verb "to lift" or "to carry" (H5375), this noun (H4853) refers to a literal heavy load or something that is carried. Figuratively, it can also denote a prophetic utterance or a heavy responsibility. In this verse, it primarily refers to the physical weight of the idol statues, which, far from being sources of strength, are themselves cumbersome objects that must be borne by others, ultimately becoming spoils of war.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They stoop, they bow down together;":** This clause immediately establishes the physical state of the Babylonian idols, personifying them with human actions of weakness and submission. The repetition and the adverb "together" emphasize their collective inability to resist or stand firm. This imagery directly contrasts with the expected posture of powerful deities, highlighting their utter helplessness in the face of divine judgment.
* **"they could not deliver the burden,":** This phrase underscores the core message of the idols' futility. The "burden" here refers to the very statues of the gods themselves, which are too heavy to be saved from capture, and by extension, the people who trusted in them. The verb "deliver" (H4422, _mâlaṭ'_) implies an inability to escape, rescue, or preserve. The idols, meant to be saviors, cannot even save themselves or the objects they represent from being carried off.
* **"but themselves are gone into captivity.":** This final clause pronounces the ultimate fate of the idols. They are not merely defeated but are subjected to the same humiliation as the defeated people. The phrase "gone into captivity" (H1980, _hâlak'_ + H7628, _shᵉbîy'_) signifies their forced removal from their temples and their homeland, becoming spoils of war. This serves as a powerful visual testament to their absolute powerlessness and the triumph of Yahweh over all other gods.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 46:2 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is central, as the inanimate idol statues are described with human actions: "stooping," "bowing down," and "going into captivity." This imbues them with a mock-human vulnerability, making their defeat more palpable and humiliating. **Irony** is powerfully present; the very "gods" who are supposed to protect and deliver their worshippers are themselves unable to deliver their own physical forms from capture, becoming burdens rather than bearers. This reversal of roles underscores their impotence. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** implicitly but effectively. By depicting the weakness of the Babylonian gods, it highlights, by antithesis, the incomparable strength, sovereignty, and active deliverance of the God of Israel, who, unlike these idols, does not need to be carried but carries His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 46:2 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's unique and incomparable nature as the only true and living God. Unlike the crafted, immobile, and ultimately helpless idols, the God of Israel is an active, sovereign, and omnipotent being who transcends creation and orchestrates history. This verse serves as a powerful polemic against idolatry, revealing that anything or anyone elevated to the place of God in human hearts will inevitably prove to be a "burden" that cannot deliver. True security, deliverance, and hope are found only in the one who is not carried, but who carries His people through all of life's challenges. The theological implication is clear: trust placed in anything other than the Creator is misplaced and will ultimately lead to disappointment and spiritual captivity.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols") - Graphically describes idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, emphasizing their lifelessness and inability to help.
* [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3 "Jeremiah 10:3-5 - Idols are Worthless") - Compares idols to scarecrows in a cucumber field, unable to do good or evil, highlighting their utter uselessness.
* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment Against Idolatry") - The foundational commandment against having other gods, underscoring the exclusivity of Yahweh's worship and the danger of creating images.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern society may not typically bow down to physical statues of Bel or Nebo, the principle of Isaiah 46:2 remains profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. This verse compels us to critically examine what we truly rely on, what we elevate to a position of ultimate trust or security in our lives apart from God. Modern "idols" can manifest as career success, financial wealth, social status, personal achievements, relationships, comfort, or even self-reliance and intellectual pride. Anything that promises ultimate fulfillment, security, or deliverance, yet falls short of God's perfect provision, can become a spiritual "burden" that ultimately fails to deliver us from life's challenges, anxieties, or the ultimate reality of death. This passage calls us to a radical reorientation of our allegiances, urging us to recognize that only the sovereign God, who carries His people through all circumstances, can provide true and lasting security, purpose, and deliverance. It invites us to release the burdens of false hopes and to place our complete faith and dependence upon Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "burdens" or sources of security do I tend to rely on more than God in my daily life?**
* **In what ways might I be "carrying" modern idols, and how do they ultimately fail to deliver?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty, as contrasted with the impotence of idols, deepen my trust in Him?**

### FAQ

**Who are "they" in this verse, and why are they stooping and bowing?**

Answer: The "they" in Isaiah 46:2 primarily refers to the Babylonian idols, specifically Bel and Nebo, mentioned in [Isaiah 46:1](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1 - Bel and Nebo Bow Down"). These were prominent deities in the Babylonian pantheon, whose large, heavy cultic statues were central to their worship and often paraded in public processions. They are depicted as "stooping" and "bowing down" because they are literal, inanimate burdens. The prophet uses vivid personification to show their utter helplessness: far from being powerful gods who can stand tall or deliver their worshippers, they are themselves collapsing under their own weight, being carried off as spoils of war by conquering armies. This imagery highlights their impotence in stark contrast to the living God of Israel.

**How does the fate of these idols contrast with God's relationship with His people?**

Answer: This verse provides a powerful and deliberate contrast with God's relationship with Israel, a theme explicitly developed in the subsequent verses of [Isaiah 46](/isaiah/46 "Isaiah 46 - God's Unrivaled Power"). While the Babylonian gods are burdens to be carried by their worshippers (and ultimately, by their captors), the Lord God declares that He is the one who "carries" His people. [Isaiah 46:3-4](/isaiah/46-3 "Isaiah 46:3-4 - God Carries His People from Birth") states, "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." This contrast underscores God's active, personal, and enduring care for His people, demonstrating His power and faithfulness as the true Deliverer, unlike the lifeless idols who cannot even save themselves from captivity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 46:2, with its vivid portrayal of helpless idols being carried into captivity, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The idols of Babylon represent every false god, every human construct, and every earthly power that promises deliverance or security but ultimately proves to be a burden and leads to spiritual captivity. In stark contrast, Jesus is the one true God, the very image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), who does not need to be carried but rather carries the burdens of humanity. He is the ultimate Deliverer, who, unlike the powerless idols, actually entered into our captivity—the captivity to sin and death—and through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, broke its chains ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")). Where idols are inert, Jesus is active and powerful, having triumphed over all spiritual principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")), for He is the true Shepherd who carries His flock ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). Thus, the futility of idols in Isaiah 46:2 serves as a powerful backdrop for the unparalleled power, love, and saving work of Christ, the only one who can truly deliver us from all forms of captivity.

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 48:7

For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.

Judges 18:17

And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, [and] came in thither, [and] took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men [that were] appointed with weapons of war.

Judges 18:18

And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?

Jeremiah 43:12

And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

Jeremiah 43:13

He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that [is] in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.

2 Samuel 5:21

And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

Judges 18:24

And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what [is] this [that] ye say unto me, What aileth thee?