Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple. New Living Translation Or if people are too poor for that, they might at least choose wood that won’t decay and a skilled craftsman to carve an image that won’t fall down! English Standard Version He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. Berean Standard Bible One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. King James Bible He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. New King James Version Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution Chooses a tree that will not rot; He seeks for himself a skillful workman To prepare a carved image that will not totter. New American Standard Bible He who is too impoverished for such an offering Selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman To prepare an idol that will not totter. NASB 1995 He who is too impoverished for such an offering Selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman To prepare an idol that will not totter. NASB 1977 He who is too impoverished for such an offering Selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman To prepare an idol that will not totter. Legacy Standard Bible He who is too impoverished to make such a contribution Chooses a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a wise craftsman To prepare a graven image that will not be shaken. Amplified Bible He who is too impoverished for such an offering [to give to his god] Chooses a tree that will not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman To [carve and] set up an idol that will not totter. Christian Standard Bible A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not fall over. Holman Christian Standard Bible To one who shapes a pedestal, choosing wood that does not rot? He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not fall over. American Standard Version He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. Contemporary English Version Or special wood may be chosen because it doesn't rot--then skilled hands take care to make an idol that won't fall on its face. English Revised Version He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. GOD'S WORD® Translation The poorest people choose wood that will not rot and search out skillful craftsmen to set up idols that will not fall over. Good News Translation Anyone who cannot afford silver or gold chooses wood that will not rot. He finds a skillful worker to make an image that won't fall down. International Standard Version To the impoverished person? He prepares an offering— wood that won't rot— Or to the one who chooses a skilled craftsman and seeks to erect an idol that won't topple?" Majority Standard Bible One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. NET Bible To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over. New Heart English Bible He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved. Webster's Bible Translation He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh for himself a skillful workman to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved. World English Bible He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe who is poor [by] raised-offerings, "" Chooses a tree [that is] not rotten, "" He seeks a skillful artisan for it, "" To establish a carved image—not moved. Young's Literal Translation He who is poor by heave-offerings, A tree not rotten doth choose, A skilful artisan he seeketh for it, To establish a graven image -- not moved. Smith's Literal Translation And he being poor of oblation will choose wood that will not be rotten; he will seek to him a wise artificer to prepare a carved image that will not shake. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved. Catholic Public Domain Version He has chosen strong wood that will not decay. The skillful artisan seeks a way to set up an idol that cannot be moved. New American Bible Is mulberry wood the offering? A skilled artisan picks out a wood that will not rot, Seeks to set up for himself an idol that will not totter. New Revised Standard Version As a gift one chooses mulberry wood —wood that will not rot— then seeks out a skilled artisan to set up an image that will not topple. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe selects wood that is not worm-eaten; then chooses a carpenter, who fashions it with his skill, to make an image that will not be moved. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He fastened it, he selected it; it is wood that does not rot, and a carpenter chose and in his wisdom he engraved it and he constructed the image so that it is not shaken OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917A holm-oak is set apart, He chooseth a tree that will not rot; He seeketh unto him a cunning craftsman To set up an image, that shall not be moved. Brenton Septuagint Translation For the artificer chooses out a wood that will not rot, and will wisely enquire how he shall set up his image, and that so that it should not be moved. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Here is Your God!…19To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? 20To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple? 21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth?… Cross References Jeremiah 10:3-5 For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... Habakkuk 2:18-19 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” 1 Kings 18:26-29 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... Exodus 32:2-4 So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” / Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. / He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Deuteronomy 4:28 And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. Acts 17:29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. Romans 1:22-23 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 1 Kings 12:28-30 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. Hosea 8:4-6 They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria. Isaiah 44:9-20 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... Isaiah 46:6-7 They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / 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. Psalm 135:15-18 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ... 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. Treasury of Scripture He that is so impoverished that he has no oblation chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks to him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Isaiah 2:8,9 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: … Isaiah 44:13-19 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house… Jeremiah 10:3,4 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe… shall not Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. Isaiah 46:7 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. 1 Samuel 5:3,4 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again… Jump to Previous Apart Chooses Chooseth Cunning Engraved Fixed Graven Holm-Oak Idol Image Impoverished Looks Makes Move Moved Oblation Offering Poor Prepare Present Rot Seeketh Seeks Selection Selects Skilful Skilled Skillful Soft Totter Tree Wise Wood WorkmanJump to Next Apart Chooses Chooseth Cunning Engraved Fixed Graven Holm-Oak Idol Image Impoverished Looks Makes Move Moved Oblation Offering Poor Prepare Present Rot Seeketh Seeks Selection Selects Skilful Skilled Skillful Soft Totter Tree Wise Wood WorkmanIsaiah 40 1. The promulgation of the Gospel3. The preaching of John Baptist foretold 9. The preaching of the apostles foretold 12. The prophet, by the omnipotence of God 18. And his incomparableness 26. Comforts the people. To one bereft of an offering This phrase highlights the spiritual poverty of those who lack a true offering to God. In the Hebrew context, the word "bereft" suggests a state of deprivation or lack. Historically, offerings were central to worship in ancient Israel, symbolizing devotion and atonement. The absence of a genuine offering indicates a deeper spiritual void, reflecting a heart that is distant from God. This sets the stage for the futility of idolatry, as those who are spiritually impoverished seek to fill the void with man-made solutions. A tree that will not rot He seeks a skilled craftsman To set up an idol That will not topple Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew To one bereftהַֽמְסֻכָּ֣ן (ham·suk·kān) Article | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5533: To cut, damage, to grow, poor of an offering תְּרוּמָ֔ה (tə·rū·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8641: Contribution, offering (for sacred uses) who chooses יִבְחָ֑ר (yiḇ·ḥār) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select wood עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood that does not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no rot? יִרְקַ֖ב (yir·qaḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7537: To decay He looks for יְבַקֶּשׁ־ (yə·ḇaq·qeš-) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after a skilled חָכָם֙ (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise craftsman חָרָ֤שׁ (ḥā·rāš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2796: A fabricator, any material to set up לְהָכִ֥ין (lə·hā·ḵîn) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3559: To be erect an idol פֶּ֖סֶל (pe·sel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6459: An idol, image that will not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no fall over. יִמּֽוֹט׃ (yim·mō·wṭ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4131: To waver, to slip, shake, fall Links Isaiah 40:20 NIVIsaiah 40:20 NLT Isaiah 40:20 ESV Isaiah 40:20 NASB Isaiah 40:20 KJV Isaiah 40:20 BibleApps.com Isaiah 40:20 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 40:20 Chinese Bible Isaiah 40:20 French Bible Isaiah 40:20 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:20 He who is too impoverished for such (Isa Isi Is) |
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