Isaiah 46:1-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 46:1-4

We are here told, I. That the false gods will certainly fail their worshippers when they have most need of them, Isa. 46:1, 2. Bel and Nebo were two celebrated idols of Babylon. Some make Bel to be a contraction of Baal; others rather think not, but that it was Belus, one of their first kings, who after his death was deified. As Bel was a deified prince, so (some think) Nebo was a deified prophet, for so Nebo signifies; so that Bel and Nebo were their Jupiter and their Mercury or Apollo.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 46:5-13

The deliverance of Israel by the destruction of Babylon (the general subject of all these chapters) is here insisted upon, and again promised, for the conviction both of idolaters who set up as rivals with God, and of oppressors who were enemies to the people of God. I. For the conviction of those who made and worshipped idols, especially those of Israel who did so, who would have images of their God, as the Babylonians had of theirs, 1. He challenges them either to frame an image that should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:1

Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth ,.... These are names of the idols of Babylon. Bel is by some thought to be the contraction of Baal, the god of the Phoenicians, called by them Beel; so "Beelsamin" F8 Sanchoniatho apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 1. c. 10. p. 34. , in the Phoenician language, is Lord of heaven: but rather this is the Belus of the Babylonians, who was a renowned king of them, and after his death deified; whom Nebuchadnezzar, according to Megasthenes F9 Apud Euseb.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:2

They stoop, they bow together ,.... Either the beasts under their burdens, or other idols besides those mentioned; or rather the Babylonians themselves, who were obliged to submit to the conquerors: they could not deliver the burdens ; the idols could not save themselves from being laid as burdens upon the beasts, any more than they could save their worshippers: so the Targum understands this and the preceding clause of them; "they are cut off, and cut to pieces together, they could... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:3

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob ,.... The Jews, the descendants of Jacob: and all the remnant of the house of Israel ; those that remained of the ten tribes that had been carried captive long ago. These may, in a spiritual sense, design those who are Israelites indeed; the household of the God of Jacob; the chosen of God, and called; the remnant according to the election of grace: which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb : here the Lord distinguishes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:4

And even to your old age I am he ,.... The same he ever was, the eternal and unchangeable Jehovah; the same in his love and affections; in his sympathy and care; in his power and protection; in his promises, truth, and faithfulness to his people, in their last days, as at the first moment of their conversion; and therefore they are safe; see Psalm 102:27 , and even to hoar hairs will I carry you F14 This seems to express more than old age, as Ben Melech observes hence the Jews say,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:5

To whom will ye liken me ?.... Was it lawful that any likeness might be made, which yet is forbidden, Exodus 20:4 what likeness could be thought of? is there any creature in heaven or earth, among all the angels or sons of men, to whom God can be likened, who has done such works of power, and acts of grace, as to care and provide not only for the house of Israel, from the beginning of their state to the close of it, but for all his creatures from the beginning of life to the end thereof,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:6

They lavish gold out of the bag ,.... As if it was of no value and account; that is, the Heathen idolaters, some of them, who are excessively devoted to idolatry; these, being rich, take out their bags of gold, and give it in a very profuse manner to a workman to make a golden image for them, not caring what it cost them; such an one was that which Nebuchadnezzar made, sixty cubits high, and six broad, Daniel 3:1 see an instance of profuseness this way in the Israelites themselves, Exodus... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:7

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him ,.... That is, the idol; men carry him upon their shoulders in procession, and expose him to the view and veneration of the people, just as the host is carried in procession by the Papists; or the idol being made, the workman or his men lift it up, for it cannot lift up itself, and take it upon their shoulders, and carry it home to the proprietor: and set him in his place ; in his house, if an household god: or in the temple, church, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:8

Remember this ,.... Or "these things", as the Syriac version, concerning the matter of which, and the manner in which idols are made; their impotency to move themselves, and their inability to help their votaries, and the difference between them and the true God: and show yourselves men ; and not brutes, as the makers and worshippers of images are, or show themselves as if they were; who unmanly themselves, and act contrary to the natural reason of mankind: or "be ye strong" F17 ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 46:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 46:5-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 46:8

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