Isaiah 46:6

They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, [and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

They lavish {H2107} gold {H2091} out of the bag {H3599}, and weigh {H8254} silver {H3701} in the balance {H7070}, and hire {H7936} a goldsmith {H6884}; and he maketh {H6213} it a god {H410}: they fall down {H5456}, yea, they worship {H7812}.

They squander the gold from their bags and weigh silver on a scale; they hire a goldsmith to make a god, before which they fall down and worship!

They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.

Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 46:6

Isaiah 46:6 is part of a powerful series of prophetic declarations in the Book of Isaiah, particularly within chapters 40-48, where the prophet emphasizes the incomparable nature of the Lord God of Israel. This specific chapter, Isaiah 46, contrasts the true God with the idols of Babylon, highlighting their impotence and the absurdity of their worshipers. The passage serves as a stark warning to the people of Judah, who would soon face exile in Babylon, not to adopt the pagan practices of their captors. God demonstrates His sovereignty by declaring the future (His plans for Cyrus and Israel's return) long before it happens, a feat impossible for the lifeless idols.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Folly and Absurdity of Idolatry: This verse vividly portrays the immense human effort, expense, and skill invested in creating an idol. People "lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance," then "hire a goldsmith" to fashion an object. The profound irony lies in the fact that after all this human labor, they then "fall down, yea, they worship" the very thing their own hands have made. This exposes the inherent irrationality and self-deception in bowing before a powerless, man-made deity.
  • Misplaced Devotion and Resources: The passage highlights the significant resources—gold, silver, and skilled labor—that are poured into the creation of these false gods. This is a stark contrast to the true God, who requires no such fabrication but is the eternal Creator. It serves as a reminder of how easily human devotion and valuable resources can be misdirected towards things that have no power to save or sustain.
  • God's Incomparable Nature: Implicitly, this verse underscores the uniqueness and supremacy of the God of Israel. Unlike the idols, He is not made by human hands; He is the Creator of all. The entire context of Isaiah 46 emphasizes that the Lord is the only one who can declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and carry His people (Isaiah 46:4), unlike the idols that are carried by their worshipers.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "lavish gold out of the bag" conveys a sense of abundant, even excessive, expenditure. The Hebrew word translated "lavish" (זָרַח - zaraḥ) can mean to "pour out" or "scatter," emphasizing the generous and perhaps wasteful allocation of precious metals. The "goldsmith" (צֹרֵף - tsoref) refers to a refiner or skilled artisan, underscoring that the creation of these idols was a professional and intentional act, not a casual one. This highlights the deliberate and costly effort involved in manufacturing something ultimately worthless.

Related Scriptures

The theme of the powerlessness of idols is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. For instance, Psalm 115:4-7 describes idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, and hands but not feeling, emphasizing their utter lifelessness. Similarly, Jeremiah 10:3-5 speaks of the vanity of idols, which are carved wood overlaid with silver and gold, but are "upright as the palm tree, but speak not." These passages reinforce Isaiah's message that worship directed towards such objects is misguided and futile.

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical statues of gold and silver, the principle of idolatry remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry, in its essence, is putting anything in God's rightful place in our lives. This can manifest as an excessive devotion to wealth, career, possessions, relationships, or even self-image. Isaiah 46:6 challenges us to examine what we "lavish" our time, energy, and resources upon. Are we investing in things that have no lasting power or ultimate significance, or are we directing our worship and devotion towards the living God who alone can sustain, deliver, and fulfill? This verse calls us to a renewed understanding of true worship, directing our hearts and lives towards the Creator rather than the created.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 17:29

    Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

  • Isaiah 40:19

    The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

  • 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.

  • Daniel 3:5

    [That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

  • Daniel 3:15

    Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

  • Isaiah 44:12

    The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

  • Isaiah 44:19

    And none considereth in his heart, neither [is there] knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten [it]: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?