Isaiah 44:9 - Exposition

They that make a graven image are … vanity ; rather, are confusion. The word used is tohu , which, together with bohu , describes the primitive chaos in Genesis 1:2 (comp. Isaiah 24:10 ; Isaiah 34:11 ; Isaiah 40:17 , Isaiah 40:23 ; Isaiah 41:29 ; Isaiah 59:4 ). Their delectable things shall not profit. "Their delectable things" are their idols, which are "pets, favourites, treasures." These cannot possibly be of any advantage to them. They are their own witnesses. Their powerlessness stands confessed in their very appearance, since they are manifestly sightless and senseless. That they may be ashamed. The subject of this clause cannot be sought in the earlier part of the verse. It is the idol-makers that will be put to shame.