Isaiah 46:1-13 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The Helpless Plight of Babylon's Gods Contrasted with the Saving Might of Yahweh.

Isaiah 46:1 f. In vision the prophet sees the images of Babylon's gods (two of the most prominent are named), taken from their proud pedestals and placed upon the victor's beasts. So far from delivering others, or even their own images, Bel and Nabu are carried away captive. The general drift is clear, but details are uncertain owing to corruption of the text.

Isaiah 46:1. and upon the cattle: delete as gloss on beasts. the things that ye carried about: the images carried in festive processions, but perhaps after beasts we should read simply, laid as a load upon the weary cattle.

Isaiah 46:3-13. Yahweh addresses all the survivors of Israel, wherever they may dwell; He compares His people to an infant; He has carried them from birth, and will carry them to the end. How then can He be likened to any image, which is a burden, not a bearer? (Isaiah 46:6-8 is late, probably of the same origin as Isaiah 44:9-20. It pours scorn on the men who weigh out precious metal to be made into an image which they worship, though they have to bear it to its pedestal, from which it cannot move to the help of its devotees. The apostate Jews are bidden reflect on their idolatry.) Let His people remember His former predictions, since fulfilled, proving His power to carry out His will. He is calling Cyrus to perform His plan, rapid in execution, like a swift-swooping bird of prey. The downhearted (LXX) who are despairing of salvation are promised that Yahweh shall bring it without delay.

Isaiah 46:4. made: read, borne.

Isaiah 46:8. shew yourselves men: read, own your guilt.

Isaiah 46:11. counsel: purpose.

Isaiah 46:12 f. righteousness: deliverance.

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 46:1

Isaiah 46:1-13

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.

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

3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

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.

7 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.

8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.