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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 40:19 To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/23_Isa_40_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 40:19 - Here is Your God!" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/40-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/40-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm" title="Isaiah 40:18">◄</a> Isaiah 40:19 <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm" title="Isaiah 40:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The workman molds an image, The goldsmith overspreads it with gold, And the silversmith casts silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>As for</i> the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith <i>fashions</i> chains of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith fashions chains of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>As for</i> the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith <i>fashions</i> chains of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>As for</i> the graven images, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith <i>fashions</i> chains of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br /><i>As for</i> the cast image (idol), a metalworker casts it, A goldsmith overlays it with gold And a silversmith <i>casts its</i> silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An idol?—something that a smelter casts and a metalworker plates with gold and makes silver chains for?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />To an idol?—something that a smelter casts, and a metalworker plates with gold and makes silver welds for it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Is an idol at all like God? It is made of bronze with a thin layer of gold, and decorated with silver. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The graven image, a workman melted it, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth for it silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Craftsmen make idols. Goldsmiths cover them with gold. Silversmiths make silver chains for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He is not like an idol that workers make, that metalworkers cover with gold and set in a base of silver. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />To an idol? A craftsman makes the image, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A workman has cast an image, and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts silver chains for it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An artisan has poured out the carved image, "" And a refiner spreads it over with gold, "" And he is refining chains of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The graven image poured out hath a artisan, And a refiner with gold spreadeth it over, And chains of silver he is refining.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The artificer cast the carved image, and the founder will spread it out with gold, and he smelted chains of silver.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hath the workman cast a graven statue? or hath the goldsmith formed it with gold, or the silversmith with plates of silver? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Should the workman cast a statue? Or has the goldsmith formed it with gold, or the silversmith with plates of silver?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />An idol? An artisan casts it, the smith plates it with gold, fits it with silver chains. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />An idol? —A workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Is he an image which the carpenter has made and the goldsmith has overlaid with gold and fastened with silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />An image is what a carpenter made, and a goldsmith overlaid it in gold and refined silver<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The image perchance, which the craftsman hath melted, And the goldsmith spread over with gold, The silversmith casting silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Has not the artificer made an image, or the goldsmith having melted gold, gilt it over, <i>and</i> made it a similitude?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8626" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Here is Your God!</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6459.htm" title="6459: hap·pe·sel (Art:: N-ms) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">To an idol</a> <a href="/hebrew/2796.htm" title="2796: ḥā·rāš (N-ms) -- Engraver, artificer. From charash; a fabricator or any material.">that a craftsman</a> <a href="/hebrew/5258.htm" title="5258: nā·saḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast; by analogy, to anoint a king.">casts</a> <a href="/hebrew/6884.htm" title="6884: wə·ṣō·rêp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To smelt, refine, test. A primitive root; to fuse, i.e. Refine.">and a metalworker</a> <a href="/hebrew/7554.htm" title="7554: yə·raq·qə·‘en·nū (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms:: 3mse) -- To beat, stamp, beat out, spread out. A primitive root; to pound the earth; by analogy to expand; by implication, to overlay.">overlays</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: baz·zā·hāḇ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">with gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/6884.htm" title="6884: ṣō·w·rêp̄ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To smelt, refine, test. A primitive root; to fuse, i.e. Refine.">and fits with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ke·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/7577.htm" title="7577: ū·rə·ṯu·qō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fpc) -- A chain. Feminine passive participle of rathaq; something fastened, i.e. A chain.">chains?</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>To 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?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />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; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Isaiah 46:5-7</a></span><br />To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">Exodus 32:1-4</a></span><br />Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” / 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a></span><br />And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22-23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Revelation 9:20</a></span><br />Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4-6</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The workman melts a graven image, and the goldsmith spreads it over with gold, and casts silver chains.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/37-18.htm">Isaiah 37:18,19</a></b></br> Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-6.htm">Isaiah 41:6,7</a></b></br> They helped every one his neighbour; and <i>every one</i> said to his brother, Be of good courage… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-10.htm">Isaiah 44:10-12</a></b></br> Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image <i>that</i> is profitable for nothing? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm">Artizan</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-17.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-2.htm">Casteth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-18.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-5.htm">Casts</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-22.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Craftsman</a> <a href="/psalms/33-15.htm">Fashions</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-2.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Goldsmith</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-8.htm">Gold-Worker</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-22.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/psalms/106-19.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Image</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-19.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-3.htm">Melted</a> <a href="/psalms/147-18.htm">Melteth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-17.htm">Overlayeth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-10.htm">Perchance</a> <a href="/job/41-23.htm">Plates</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-26.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-4.htm">Refiner</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Refining</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-2.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-4.htm">Silversmith</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-14.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-14.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Workman</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Artizan</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-9.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Casteth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-16.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-10.htm">Casts</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Chains</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Craftsman</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-10.htm">Fashions</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Goldsmith</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Gold-Worker</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Image</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Melted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Melteth</a> <a href="/exodus/36-34.htm">Overlayeth</a> <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Perchance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm">Plates</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-12.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Refiner</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Refining</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Silversmith</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Spreadeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Workman</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-1.htm">The promulgation of the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">The preaching of John Baptist foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-9.htm">The preaching of the apostles foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">The prophet, by the omnipotence of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">And his incomparableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Comforts the people.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>To an idol that a craftsman casts</b><br>This phrase highlights the human effort involved in creating idols, contrasting the divine creation of the universe by God. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, craftsmen were skilled artisans who made idols from materials like wood, stone, or metal. The act of casting suggests a process of molding or shaping, indicating the idol's man-made origin. This reflects the futility of worshiping something crafted by human hands, as opposed to the living God who is the Creator of all. The Bible frequently condemns idolatry, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4-5</a> and <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>, which emphasize the lifelessness and impotence of idols.<p><b>and a metalworker overlays with gold</b><br>The overlaying with gold signifies the attempt to make the idol appear valuable and divine. Gold was a precious metal often associated with wealth and divinity in ancient cultures. This practice of overlaying idols with gold is mentioned in other biblical texts, such as <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-4</a>, which criticizes the decoration of idols to give them an appearance of grandeur. The use of gold also reflects the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, which Israel was warned against. This embellishment is superficial, highlighting the contrast between the idol's appearance and its lack of true power or divinity.<p><b>and fits with silver chains?</b><br>Silver chains were likely used to secure the idol, preventing it from toppling over, which underscores the idol's inherent weakness and instability. This imagery is ironic, as it portrays the idol as needing human assistance to remain upright, further emphasizing its impotence. The use of silver, another precious metal, again points to the attempt to bestow worth and reverence upon the idol. This practice is critiqued in <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Isaiah 41:7</a>, where the prophet mocks the need to strengthen idols with nails. The futility of idolatry is a recurring theme in the Bible, contrasting the living God who sustains all creation without human aid.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is traditionally credited with writing the Book of Isaiah. His prophecies often focus on the themes of judgment and redemption.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/craftsman.htm">Craftsman</a></b><br>In this context, a craftsman is someone skilled in making idols, highlighting the human effort and skill involved in creating objects of worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/metalworker.htm">Metalworker</a></b><br>This refers to a person who works with metals, particularly in overlaying idols with precious metals like gold and silver, emphasizing the value and effort placed on these man-made objects.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/idol.htm">Idol</a></b><br>An object of worship made by human hands, often representing false gods. In <a href="/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19</a>, the idol is depicted as a product of human craftsmanship, lacking divine power or life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/gold_and_silver_chains.htm">Gold and Silver Chains</a></b><br>These materials symbolize wealth and beauty, used to adorn idols, making them appear valuable and worthy of worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idols are man-made and lack any real power or divinity. They are a poor substitute for the living God who created the universe.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_misplaced_worship.htm">The Danger of Misplaced Worship</a></b><br>Worshiping idols, whether physical or metaphorical (such as money, power, or status), distracts us from true worship of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_true_worship.htm">The Value of True Worship</a></b><br>True worship is directed towards God, who is spirit and truth, rather than objects or concepts that are temporary and powerless.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_discernment.htm">The Call to Discernment</a></b><br>Believers are called to discern what they place value on and ensure that their worship and devotion are directed towards God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_creation_in_worship.htm">The Role of Creation in Worship</a></b><br>While creation can reflect God's glory, it should never become the object of worship itself. Our focus should remain on the Creator.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_graven_image.htm">What defines a graven image?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_19_1-4_match_egyptian_history.htm">Does Isaiah 19:1-4 align with known Egyptian history regarding civil strife and political upheaval?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_rabshakeh's_claim_with_judah's_deliverance.htm">Isaiah 36:18-20: How do we reconcile the Rabshakeh's claim that no god has saved any nation from Assyria with the biblical assertion that the Lord ultimately delivered Judah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nomads_craft_gold_cherubim.htm">Exodus 37:1-9: How could ancient desert nomads craft such detailed cherubim from pure gold with the tools and resources supposedly available?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">The workman melteth . . .</span>--The reign of Ahaz, not to speak of that of Manasseh, must have supplied the prophet with his picture of the idol factory not less fully than if he had lived in Babylon or Nineveh.<p><span class= "bld">Spreadeth it over with gold.</span>--The image of lead was covered over, as in the well-known story of Phidias's "Zeus," with plates of gold. The "silver chains" fastened it to the wall.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The workman melteth a graven image</span>; rather, <span class="accented">the workman casteth an image</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Isaiah 41:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-17</a>; <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6, 7</a>). Israel's tendency to idolatry has been touched on in the earlier prophecies once or twice (<a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8, 20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/31-7.htm">Isaiah 31:7</a>); but in the later chapters idolatry is assailed with a frequency, a pungency, and a vigour that are new, and that imply a change, either in the prophet's circumstances or in his standpoint. Perhaps it is enough to suppose that, placing himself ideally among the captives, Isaiah sees that the Babylonian idolatry will be, or at any rate may be, a snare to them, and provides an antidote against the subtle poison. The special antidote which he employs is ridicule, and the first ground of his ridicule is the <span class="accented">genesis</span> or formation of an image. It is made by man himself, out of known material substances. Either a figure is cast in some inferior metal, and then coated with gold and finished with the graving tool, or a mere block of wood is taken and cut into shape. Can it be supposed that such things are "likenesses" of God, or that he is comparable to them? <span class="cmt_word">Casteth silver chains</span>; as ornaments to be worn by the images, which were often dressed (see Thucyd., 2:13; Baruch 6:9-12). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">To an idol</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפֶּ֙סֶל֙</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pe·sel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6459.htm">Strong's 6459: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idol, image</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that a craftsman</span><br /><span class="heb">חָרָ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·rāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2796.htm">Strong's 2796: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fabricator, any material</span><br /><br /><span class="word">casts</span><br /><span class="heb">נָסַ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·saḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5258.htm">Strong's 5258: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pour out, a libation, to cast, to anoint a, king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a metalworker</span><br /><span class="heb">וְצֹרֵ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṣō·rêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6884.htm">Strong's 6884: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smelt, refine, test</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overlays</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרַקְּעֶ֑נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·raq·qə·‘en·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7554.htm">Strong's 7554: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pound the earth, to expand, to overlay</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with gold</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּזָּהָ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(baz·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and fits with</span><br /><span class="heb">צוֹרֵֽף׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·w·rêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6884.htm">Strong's 6884: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smelt, refine, test</span><br /><br /><span class="word">silver</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֖סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ke·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">chains?</span><br /><span class="heb">וּרְתֻק֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·ṯu·qō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7577.htm">Strong's 7577: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something fastened, a chain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-19.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:19 A workman has cast an image (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>