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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 41:24 Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/23_Isa_41_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 41:24 - Meaningless Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable." /><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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/41-24.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/41-24.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/41.htm">Chapter 41</a> > Verse 24</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="/ad4.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/41-23.htm" title="Isaiah 41:23">◄</a> Isaiah 41:24 <a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm" title="Isaiah 41:25">►</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/41.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/41.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all. Those who choose you pollute themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, ye <i>are</i> of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination <i>is he that</i> chooseth you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Indeed you <i>are</i> nothing, And your work <i>is</i> nothing; <i>He who</i> chooses you <i>is</i> an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are less than nothing, And your work is less than nothing! He who chooses you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Behold, you are of no account, And your work amounts to nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Behold, you are of no account, And your work amounts to nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing, And your work is non-existent; He who chooses you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Hear this! You [idols] are less than nothing, And your work is worthless; The worshiper who chooses you [as a god] is repulsive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look, you are nothing and your work is worthless. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look, you are nothing and your work is worthless. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work is of nought; an abomination is he that chooseth you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You idols are nothing, and you are powerless. To worship you would be disgusting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You are nothing! You can't do anything! Whoever chooses you is disgusting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You and all you do are nothing; those who worship you are disgusting! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Look! You and your work are less than nothing; whoever finds you pleasing is disgusting."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent; the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, you are of nothing, and your work is of nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of naught: an abomination is he that chooseth you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, you [are] of nothing, and your work of nothing, "" An abomination—it fixes on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought, An abomination -- it fixeth on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, ye are from nothing, and your work no more: an abomination he will choose in you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are of nothing, and your work of that which hath no being: he that hath chosen you is an abomination. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Behold, you exist out of nothing, and your work is from what does not exist; he who has chosen you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why, you are nothing and your work is nought; to choose you is an abomination! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You, indeed, are nothing and your work is nothing at all; whoever chooses you is an abomination.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing, and your works are corrupt; choosing you is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold, you are nothing, you and your works! From corruption and abomination you are chosen<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, ye are nothing, And your work a thing of nought; An abomination is he that chooseth you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />whence ye are, and whence is your works: they have chosen you an abomination out of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/41-24.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=9021" 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/41.htm">Meaningless Idols</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">are nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6467.htm" title="6467: ū·p̄ā·‘ā·lə·ḵem (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Doing, deed, work. From pa'al; an act or work.">and your work</a> <a href="/hebrew/659.htm" title="659: mê·’ā·p̄a‘ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A breath, nothing. From an unused root probably meaning to breathe; properly, a breath, i.e. Nothing.">is of no value.</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: yiḇ·ḥar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">Anyone who chooses</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/8441.htm" title="8441: tō·w·‘ê·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Or tonebah; feminine active participle of ta'ab; properly, something disgusting, i.e. an abhorrence; especially idolatry or an idol.">is detestable.</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>I have raised up one from the north, and he has come—one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.…<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="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a></span><br />They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.<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="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a></span><br />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="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.<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="/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="/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="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a></span><br />For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-10</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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / 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="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a></span><br />Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”<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="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29-30</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. / Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, you are of nothing, and your work of nothing: an abomination is he that chooses you.</p><p class="hdg">ye are</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Isaiah 41:29</a></b></br> Behold, they <i>are</i> all vanity; their works <i>are</i> nothing: their molten images <i>are</i> wind and confusion.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9,10</a></b></br> They that make a graven image <i>are</i> all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they <i>are</i> their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-8.htm">Psalm 115:8</a></b></br> They that make them are like unto them; <i>so is</i> every one that trusteth in them.</p><p class="hdg">of nothing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a></b></br> And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-26.htm">Deuteronomy 7:26</a></b></br> Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: <i>but</i> thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it <i>is</i> a cursed thing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/27-15.htm">Deuteronomy 27:15</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> the man that maketh <i>any</i> graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth <i>it</i> in <i>a</i> secret <i>place</i>. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Account</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-30.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Chooseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/psalms/78-70.htm">Fixeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-17.htm">Less</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-12.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-12.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-30.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Value</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Works</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-17.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Account</a> <a href="/luke/8-23.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Chooseth</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-17.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Fixeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-17.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-11.htm">Less</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-4.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-17.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Value</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-13.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Works</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">About his promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm">And about the vanity of idols.</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/41.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/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Behold, you are nothing</b><br>This phrase is a direct address to the idols and false gods that the people of Israel were tempted to follow. In the context of Isaiah, God is contrasting His power and sovereignty with the impotence of idols. The use of "behold" serves as a call to attention, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the futility of these idols. Biblically, this echoes the theme found in <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>, where idols are described as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, highlighting their lifelessness and ineffectiveness.<p><b>and your work is of no value</b><br>The "work" refers to the actions and supposed miracles attributed to these idols, which are ultimately worthless. Historically, the surrounding nations of Israel, such as Babylon and Assyria, were known for their idol worship, often attributing their military and economic successes to these deities. However, God declares these works as having no real value or power. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that true power and creation belong to God alone, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>, where God is the sole creator of the heavens and the earth.<p><b>Anyone who chooses you is detestable</b><br>Choosing idols over God is described as detestable, indicating a moral and spiritual corruption. This aligns with the first commandment in <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>, "You shall have no other gods before Me," underscoring the exclusivity of worship that God demands. The term "detestable" is often used in the Old Testament to describe practices that are abominable to God, such as idolatry and child sacrifice (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>). This phrase serves as a warning to the Israelites and a call to remain faithful to the covenant relationship with God, who is the only true source of life and blessing.<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 the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/isaiah/41.htm">Isaiah 41</a> addresses the futility of idol worship. Idols are man-made objects that people in ancient times worshipped as gods, which Isaiah critiques as powerless and worthless.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>Isaiah often addresses the surrounding nations, warning them of God's judgment and calling them to recognize the sovereignty of the God of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God, who contrasts Himself with the idols and false gods worshipped by the nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies, called to trust in God rather than in idols or foreign powers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idols, whether physical or metaphorical, hold no real power or value. Trusting in anything other than God is ultimately futile.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The passage highlights God's supreme authority and power over all creation, contrasting with the impotence of idols.<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 their trust in, ensuring it aligns with God's truth and not the empty promises of the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_misplaced_trust.htm">The Danger of Misplaced Trust</a></b><br>Trusting in idols or false ideologies leads to spiritual and moral decay, as they cannot provide true guidance or salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_exclusive_worship.htm">The Importance of Exclusive Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be directed solely to God, as He alone is worthy and capable of fulfilling His promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_bilhah_in_the_bible.htm">What does 'kingdom of God suffers violence' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_24_10-12_conflict_with_other_bible_stories.htm">Proverbs 24:10-12: Does this claim about rescuing those in peril conflict with stories of inaction or injustice found elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_referred_to_as_the_comforter.htm">What is the circumference of the Earth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/41.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(24) <span class= "bld">Behold, ye are of nothing.</span>--This is <span class= "ital">the </span>summing up of the prophet, speaking as in the Judge's name. The idol was "nothing in the world" (<a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm" title="As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.">1Corinthians 8:4</a>). The demonic view of the gods of the heathen does not appear, as in St. Paul's argument (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm" title="But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.">1Corinthians 10:20</a>), side by side with that of their nothingness.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/41.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - A pause may be supposed between vers. 23 and 24, during which the idol-gods are given the opportunity of "bringing, forth their strong reasons," and, in one way or other, proving their Divinity. But they are stricken dumb; they say nothing. Accordingly, "judgment goes against them by default" (Cheyne), and Jehovah breaks out upon them with words of contempt and contumely, <span class="cmt_word">Behold, ye are of nothing</span>, etc. "Ye are utterly vain and futile." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/41-24.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">Behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵן־</span> <span class="translit">(hên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַ֔יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and your work</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפָעָלְכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ā·‘ā·lə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6467.htm">Strong's 6467: </a> </span><span class="str2">Doing, deed, work</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is of no value.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאָ֑פַע</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ā·p̄a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_659.htm">Strong's 659: </a> </span><span class="str2">A breath, nothing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Anyone who chooses</span><br /><span class="heb">יִבְחַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(yiḇ·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you is detestable.</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·‘ê·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8441.htm">Strong's 8441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/41-24.htm">Isaiah 41:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/41-24.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:24 Behold you are of nothing and your (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 41:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 41:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 41:25" /></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>