Isaiah 46:7

KJV

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

KJV (with Strong's)

They bear {H5375} him upon the shoulder {H3802}, they carry {H5445} him, and set him in his place {H3240}, and he standeth {H5975}; from his place {H4725} shall he not remove {H4185}: yea, one shall cry {H6817} unto him, yet can he not answer {H6030}, nor save {H3467} him out of his trouble {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is borne on shoulders and carried, then set in its place; and there it stands. From its place it does not move. If one cries to it, it cannot answer or save anyone from his troubles.

Berean Standard Bible

They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

American Standard Version

They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 46:7 provides a scathing critique of idolatry, sharply contrasting the inert, man-made deities of Babylon with the living, sovereign God of Israel. It vividly portrays the inherent weakness of idols, which require human effort to be transported, positioned, and maintained, possessing no power to move, speak, or deliver their worshippers from distress. This verse serves as a profound indictment against the futility of misplaced trust, underscoring the absolute dependence and powerlessness of false gods in opposition to the omnipotent and active presence of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-48), a prophetic section aimed at reassuring the Jewish exiles in Babylon and proclaiming God's imminent deliverance through Cyrus. The immediate preceding verses, [Isaiah 46:1-2](/isaiah/46-1-2 "Isaiah 46:1-2 - The Fall of Bel and Nebo"), graphically depict the ignominious downfall of Babylon's chief gods, Bel and Nebo, who are themselves carried off as plunder, unable to save their own images or their devotees. This sets up a powerful antithesis with [Isaiah 46:3-4](/isaiah/46-3-4 "Isaiah 46:3-4 - God Carries His People"), where the Lord declares that He is the one who carries His people from birth to old age, sustaining and delivering them. [Isaiah 46:7](/isaiah/46-7 "Isaiah 46:7 - The Impotence of Idols") then hones in on the physical burden and inherent powerlessness of these idols, emphasizing their complete reliance on human effort, thereby reinforcing the Lord's unique supremacy and active care for His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC), a period when the Judeans were immersed in a polytheistic society where idol worship was pervasive and deeply integrated into daily life and imperial power. Babylonian deities were often represented by elaborate physical images, frequently carried in grand religious processions during festivals or moved for military and political purposes, signifying their power and presence. Isaiah, speaking God's word, directly challenges this prevailing worldview, exposing the absurdity of trusting in such inanimate objects. The prophet's critique gains potency from the impending fall of Babylon to Cyrus, an event that would demonstrate the impotence of Babylon's gods in protecting their own city, let alone their worshippers. The act of carrying idols on shoulders, a common sign of reverence and importance, is ironically transformed by Isaiah into a symbol of their abject weakness and dependence.
* **Key Themes:** A dominant theme in this passage is the **Absolute Impotence of Idolatry**, which is meticulously detailed. Idols are shown to be utterly powerless: they cannot move themselves, cannot speak, and cannot save, being entirely dependent on human hands for their very existence and placement. This leads to the theme of **The Burden of False Worship**, as the verse highlights the physical labor and ongoing maintenance required by idol worship ("They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him"). This stands in stark contrast to the true God, who is portrayed as the one who [carries His people](/isaiah/46-4 "Isaiah 46:4 - God Carries His People") and bears their burdens, rather than being a burden Himself. Finally, the **Silence and Incapacity of Idols** is a crucial theological point; despite fervent cries or desperate pleas ("one shall cry unto him"), the idol remains unresponsive ("can he not answer") and incapable of providing deliverance ("nor save him out of his trouble"). This underscores their utter uselessness in times of genuine need, a truth echoed throughout scripture, such as in [Psalm 115](/psalm/115 "Psalm 115 - The Futility of Idols").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, a primitive root meaning "to lift" or "to carry" in a wide variety of applications. In this context, it precisely describes the physical exertion and human effort required to transport the idol, emphasizing its inanimate nature and complete lack of self-locomotion. It highlights the burden idols impose on their worshippers, rather than offering any support or carrying capacity themselves.
* **set him in his place (Hebrew, _yânach'_):** From H3240, meaning "to deposit," "to place," or "to allow to stay." This word underscores the idol's absolute dependence on human intervention for its initial positioning and continued presence. Unlike the omnipresent and dynamic God, the idol is confined to a specific, man-designated "place" (H4725, _mâqôwm_), from which it cannot move on its own, further illustrating its inertness and limited sphere of influence.
* **save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** From H3467, a primitive root meaning "to be open, wide or free," and by implication, "to be safe," or causatively, "to free or succor." This term is pivotal as it points to the ultimate failure of the idol. Despite human cries for help, the idol is utterly incapable of providing deliverance, safety, or salvation from trouble, standing in stark contrast to the Lord, who is the true and active deliverer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him":** This opening clause immediately establishes the physical labor, human effort, and profound dependency associated with idol worship. The repetition of "bear" and "carry" emphasizes the heavy, inanimate nature of the idol, which possesses no inherent power or ability to move itself. It is a lifeless object, a burden to its devotees, requiring constant human intervention for its very presence.
* **"and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove":** This section further illustrates the idol's immobility, inertness, and confinement. Humans must physically place the idol, and once positioned, it remains fixed. The phrase "from his place shall he not remove" highlights its utter lack of volition, power, or ability to act independently, presenting a stark contrast to the dynamic and sovereign God who moves freely, acts powerfully, and is not bound by physical location.
* **"yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble":** This final clause delivers the devastating and conclusive verdict on the idol's impotence. Despite fervent pleas, desperate cries for help (H6817, _tsâʻaq_), or earnest supplication, the idol is deaf and utterly powerless. It cannot respond to prayer ("can he not answer," H6030, _ʻânâh_) nor provide any deliverance or salvation ("nor save him," H3467, _yâshaʻ_) from trouble (H6869, _tsârâh_), rendering it completely useless in times of genuine need and exposing the profound vanity of trusting in such a deity.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 46:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and force. **Contrast** is paramount, as the prophet meticulously sets the inert, man-carried idols against the living, active God who carries His people ([Isaiah 46:3-4](/isaiah/46-3-4 "Isaiah 46:3-4 - God Carries His People")). This stark opposition highlights God's dynamic sovereignty versus the idols' passive dependence and utter helplessness. **Irony** is also powerfully evident; the very act of carrying the idol, intended to signify its sacredness and importance, instead serves to underscore its profound weakness and the physical burden it imposes on its worshippers. The idol, ostensibly a source of strength and help, is itself utterly helpless and in need of human support. Furthermore, **Personification** is subtly used to describe the idol's inability to "stand" or "remove" and its failure to "answer" or "save," attributing human-like actions or inactions to a lifeless object to emphasize its profound limitations and expose the absurdity of worshipping it. The cumulative effect of these devices is a vivid, memorable, and scathing critique of idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 46:7 profoundly contributes to the biblical theology of God's incomparable uniqueness and absolute sovereignty, particularly in its stark contrast to the futility of false gods. It establishes that the true God is not a created being dependent on human hands or effort, but the self-existent Creator who sustains all things and actively intervenes in history. This verse exposes the fundamental absurdity and spiritual emptiness of idolatry: worshipping something that cannot hear, speak, or save. The theological implication is that true worship must be directed towards the living, active, and responsive God who bears His people's burdens and delivers them, rather than being a burden Himself. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, serving as a perpetual warning against the spiritual and practical futility of misplaced trust and a call to exclusive devotion to the one true God.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols") - Describes idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing, hands but not handling, and feet but not walking, emphasizing their lifelessness.
* [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3-5 "Jeremiah 10:3-5 - The Vanity of Idols") - Explains the process of making idols and likens them to scarecrows in a cucumber field, unable to do evil or good, highlighting their utter powerlessness.
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idol Worship") - Provides a detailed, satirical account of the profound foolishness involved in carving idols from wood, even using part of the same wood for fuel, demonstrating the illogical nature of idol worship.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal worship of carved images may seem distant to many in modern society, the profound principle of idolatry remains acutely relevant. Anything we elevate above God in our lives—be it career success, financial security, relational fulfillment, social status, self-image, political ideologies, or even comfort and personal pleasure—becomes a functional idol. Like the idols of old, these things ultimately prove to be immobile, silent, and utterly incapable of truly answering our deepest needs, providing lasting peace, or saving us from our most profound troubles. They demand our energy, time, and devotion, becoming burdens that we "carry" rather than sources of true deliverance. This verse serves as a powerful and timeless reminder to examine our hearts and priorities, identify any functional idols that subtly compete for God's rightful place, and consciously choose to place our trust and dependence solely on the living God. He is active, hears our prayers, possesses all power to deliver and sustain us through every circumstance, and uniquely bears our burdens rather than being borne by us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" in my life might I be carrying or setting in place, expecting them to deliver what only God can truly provide?**
* **In what specific ways do I expend significant effort and energy on things that ultimately cannot answer my deepest needs or save me from my troubles?**
* **How does the stark contrast between the inert, powerless idol and the living, active God challenge my understanding of where true power, help, and security reside?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary message of Isaiah 46:7 regarding idols?**

Answer: The primary message of [Isaiah 46:7](/isaiah/46-7 "Isaiah 46:7 - The Impotence of Idols") is the utter impotence and futility of man-made idols. It vividly emphasizes that these deities are inanimate objects, entirely dependent on human effort to be moved and positioned, and are completely incapable of responding to prayers or providing salvation from trouble. This passage highlights their profound contrast with the living God of Israel, who is sovereign, active, and truly able to deliver.

**How does this verse relate to modern-day idolatry?**

Answer: While literal idol worship may be less common in many contemporary societies, the principle of [idolatry](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me") remains highly relevant. Modern-day idols are often anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—such as money, power, possessions, career success, relationships, self-image, or even comfort and security. Just like the ancient idols, these modern "gods" ultimately prove to be incapable of providing true security, lasting peace, or genuine deliverance from life's deepest troubles. They become burdens that we carry, rather than sources of authentic help. The verse calls us to recognize that only the true God can truly answer and save.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 46:7, by exposing the utter impotence of idols, powerfully anticipates the unique, active, and all-sufficient saving power of Jesus Christ. The idols are "borne upon the shoulder" by humans, "set in their place," and "cannot answer, nor save." In profound contrast, Christ is the one who bears the burdens of humanity, not as an inanimate object, but as the living God incarnate. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), carrying the immense weight of our transgressions on His own shoulders to the cross ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - Christ Bears Our Griefs")). Unlike the silent, unresponsive idols, Jesus is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), who speaks with divine authority, answers prayers, and offers ultimate salvation from sin and death. He is not confined to a "place" from which He cannot remove, but is the omnipresent God who [ascended into heaven](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus Ascends to Heaven") and now sits at the [right hand of the Father](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ at the Right Hand of God"), interceding for His people and possessing all power to save "to the uttermost" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Saves to the Uttermost")). The futility of bowing to anything other than Christ is underscored, as He alone is the true Deliverer, the one who truly hears, answers, and saves from all trouble, including the ultimate trouble of sin and eternal separation from God ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confess Jesus as Lord")).

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

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.

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 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].

Daniel 3:1

¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

Judges 10:12

The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

Judges 10:14

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

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.