Isaiah 2:8 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Their land also is full of idols - compare Hosea 8:4; Hosea 10:1. Vitringa supposes that Isaiah here refers to idols that were kept in private houses, as Uzziah and Jotham were worshippers of the true God, and in their reign idolatry was not publicly practiced. It is certain, however, that though Uzziah himself did right, and was disposed to worship the true God, yet he did not effectually remove idolatry from the land. The high places were not removed, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on them; 2 Kings 15:4. It was customary with the pagan to keep in their houses “Penates or household gods” - small images, which they regarded as “protectors,” and to which they paid homage: compare Genesis 30:19; Jdg 17:5; 1 Samuel 19:13; Hosea 3:4. ‘This is a true and literal description of India. The traveler cannot proceed a “mile” through an inhabited country without seeing idols, and vestiges of idolatry in every direction. See their vessles, their implements of husbandry, their houses, their furniture, their ornaments, their sacred trees, their “domestic” and public temples; and they all declare that the land is full of idols.’ - “Roberts.”

The work of their own hands ... - Idols. It is often brought as proof of their great folly and degradation that they paid homage to what “they” had themselves made. See this severely satirized in Isaiah 40:18-20; Isaiah 41:6-7; Isaiah 44:9-17.

Isaiah 2:8

8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: