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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 46:2 The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/46-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/23_Isa_46_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 46:2 - Babylon's Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity." /><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/46-2.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/46-2.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/46.htm">Chapter 46</a> > Verse 2</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="/ad2.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/46-1.htm" title="Isaiah 46:1">◄</a> Isaiah 46:2 <a href="/isaiah/46-3.htm" title="Isaiah 46:3">►</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/46.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/46.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/46.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/46.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/46.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/46.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/46.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/46.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/46.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/46.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/46.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the load, But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/46.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They stooped over, they have bowed down together; They could not rescue the burden [of their own idols], But have themselves gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/46.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/46.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The gods cower; they crouch together; they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go into captivity.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/46.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/46.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They are down on their knees to rescue the heavy load, but the images are still taken to a foreign country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/46.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/46.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />These gods stoop low and bow down together. They aren't able to escape with heavy loads. They go away into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/46.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The idols cannot save themselves; they are captured and carried away. This is the end for Babylon's gods! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/46.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together, and they are not able to rescue the burden, but they themselves go off into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/46.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/46.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Together they bend low and kneel down; they are unable to rescue the images; they themselves head off into captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/46.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/46.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/46.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/46.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have stooped, they have bowed together, "" They have not been able to deliver the burden, "" And have gone into captivity themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/46.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They have stooped, they have bowed together, They have not been able to deliver the burden, And themselves into captivity have gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/46.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They bowed down, they bent together; they were not able to deliver the burden and their soul went into captivity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/46.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They are consumed, and are broken together: they could not save him that carried them, and they themselves shall go into captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/46.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They have been melted down, or have been smashed together. They were not able to save the one who carried them, and their life will go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/46.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They stoop and bow down together; unable to deliver those who bear them, they too go into captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/46.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/46.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They were overthrown, they have fallen down together; they could not rescue those who carried them, but they themselves are gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/46.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They stumbled and they fell as one, and they were not able to deliver their bearers, and their souls went on into captivity<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/46.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They stoop, they bow down together, They could not deliver the burden; And themselves are gone into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/46.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />who will not be able to save themselves from war, but they themselves are led <i>away</i> captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/46-2.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=10328" 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/46.htm">Babylon's Idols</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7164.htm" title="7164: qā·rə·sū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to protrude; used only as denominative from qerec, to hunch, i.e. Be hump-backed.">The gods cower;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: ḵā·rə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">they crouch</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: yaḥ·dāw (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">together,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yā·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">unable</a> <a href="/hebrew/4422.htm" title="4422: mal·lêṭ (V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. to escape; causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks.">to relieve</a> <a href="/hebrew/4853.htm" title="4853: maś·śā (N-ms) -- From nasa'; a burden; specifically, tribute, or porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire.">the burden;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: wə·nap̄·šām (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">but they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·lā·ḵāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">themselves go</a> <a href="/hebrew/7628.htm" title="7628: baš·šə·ḇî (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Exiled, captured, exile, booty. From shbuw; exiled; captured; as noun, exile; by extension, booty.">into captivity.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.…<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/50-2.htm">Jeremiah 50:2</a></span><br />“Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-44.htm">Jeremiah 51:44</a></span><br />I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-47.htm">Jeremiah 51:47</a></span><br />Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the idols of Babylon. Her entire land will suffer shame, and all her slain will lie fallen within her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-52.htm">Jeremiah 51:52-53</a></span><br />“Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish her idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan. / Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens and fortifies her lofty stronghold, the destroyers I send will come against her,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-18.htm">Jeremiah 50:18</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-35.htm">Jeremiah 50:35-37</a></span><br />A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. / A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. / A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-57.htm">Jeremiah 51:57</a></span><br />I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-31.htm">Jeremiah 50:31-32</a></span><br />“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-25.htm">Jeremiah 51:25-26</a></span><br />“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. / No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-64.htm">Jeremiah 51:64</a></span><br />Then you are to say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again, because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will grow weary.’” Here end the words of Jeremiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></span><br />And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-10.htm">Revelation 18:10</a></span><br />In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-21.htm">Revelation 18:21</a></span><br />Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-19.htm">Revelation 16:19</a></span><br />The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.</p><p class="hdg">they could</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/36-18.htm">Isaiah 36:18,19</a></b></br> <i>Beware</i> lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/37-12.htm">Isaiah 37:12,19</a></b></br> Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, <i>as</i> Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which <i>were</i> in Telassar? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm">Isaiah 44:17</a></b></br> And the residue thereof he maketh a god, <i>even</i> his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth <i>it</i>, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou <i>art</i> my god.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/18-17.htm">Judges 18:17,18,24</a></b></br> And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, <i>and</i> came in thither, <i>and</i> took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men <i>that were</i> appointed with weapons of war… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/5-21.htm">2 Samuel 5:21</a></b></br> And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Jeremiah 43:12,13</a></b></br> And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace… </p><p class="hdg">themselves are.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/43-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-23.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Captivity</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-22.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Save</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Stoop</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-17.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-25.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-24.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/47-11.htm">Able</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-12.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-14.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-14.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-21.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-17.htm">Captivity</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-14.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-30.htm">Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-14.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Save</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Stoop</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Stooped</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-14.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-13.htm">Together</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-7.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 46</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">The idols of Babylon could not save themselves</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/46-3.htm">God saves his people to the end</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Idols are not comparable to God for power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/46-12.htm">Or present salvation.</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/46.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/46.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The gods cower;</b><br>This phrase highlights the impotence of the Babylonian gods, such as Bel and Nebo, who were prominent deities in Babylonian culture. In the context of Isaiah, these gods are depicted as powerless and unable to protect their people. This imagery contrasts with the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel, who is not subject to human limitations. The cowering of the gods symbolizes the failure of idolatry and the futility of relying on false gods. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a>, which describes idols as having mouths but not speaking, and ears but not hearing.<p><b>they crouch together,</b><br>The image of the gods crouching together suggests a sense of fear and helplessness. In ancient Near Eastern culture, gods were often depicted as mighty and invincible, yet here they are shown as weak and vulnerable. This collective crouching may also imply that these gods, despite their supposed power, are unable to stand against the true God. The unity in their posture of defeat underscores their shared impotence. This can be seen as a prophetic declaration of the fall of Babylon, as foretold in <a href="/isaiah/47.htm">Isaiah 47</a>.<p><b>unable to relieve the burden;</b><br>The burden refers to the idols themselves, which were often physically carried by their worshipers during processions or when being moved. This phrase emphasizes the irony that these gods, who are supposed to provide relief and support, are instead burdensome to their followers. This is a direct challenge to the belief that these deities could offer any real help or salvation. The concept of burdensome idols is also found in <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a>, where idols are described as being carried because they cannot walk.<p><b>but they themselves go into captivity.</b><br>This final phrase prophesies the eventual downfall and captivity of Babylon, including its gods. Historically, when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, its idols were taken as spoils of war, symbolizing their defeat and the triumph of the God of Israel. This captivity of the gods serves as a metaphor for the captivity of the people who trusted in them. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over all false systems of worship, as seen in <a href="/revelation/18.htm">Revelation 18</a>, which describes the fall of Babylon the Great.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>A powerful empire known for its idolatry and oppression of Israel. In this context, Babylon's gods are depicted as powerless.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bel_and_nebo.htm">Bel and Nebo</a></b><br>Babylonian deities mentioned earlier in <a href="/isaiah/46.htm">Isaiah 46:1</a>, representing the false gods that the Babylonians worshipped.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who conveyed God's messages to Israel, warning them of judgment and offering hope for redemption.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, often warned against idolatry and encouraged to trust in the Lord.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/captivity.htm">Captivity</a></b><br>Refers to the Babylonian exile, a period when the Israelites were taken captive due to their disobedience to God.<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 ancient deities or modern-day equivalents, cannot save or sustain us. We must place our trust in the living God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the apparent power of earthly empires, God remains in control and will bring about His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_false_worship.htm">The Burden of False Worship</a></b><br>Idolatry is a burden that leads to captivity, both spiritually and physically. True freedom is found in worshiping God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Like Israel, we are called to turn away from idols and return to God, who is able to save and deliver.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Hope in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>Even in times of captivity or hardship, God promises deliverance and restoration for those who trust in Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_46.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 46</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_bel_and_nebo's_downfall.htm">Isaiah 46:1–2: Where is the independent historical or archaeological evidence that Bel and Nebo were once powerful but failed at a critical point as described? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_20_6_fit_with_omniscience.htm">2 Kings 20:6: How does God adding fifteen years to King Hezekiah's life fit with divine omniscience and an unchangeable plan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_52_2_fit_israel's_exiles.htm">How does Isaiah 52:2's command to rise from captivity align with known historical timelines and evidence of Israel's exiles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_external_records_verify_isaiah_5_13-14.htm">Isaiah 5:13-14: Can we verify from external records that the people's captivity was a direct result of their ignorance, as stated?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/46.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">They could not deliver the burden.</span>--The deities are, for the moment, distinguished from their images. They are powerless to rescue them. So far as they have a soul or being at all, that very being is carried away captive.<span class= "bld"><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/46.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They stoop, they bow down together</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> all the Babylonian gods would suffer equally - not one would be able to protect himself. They could not deliver the burden. A distinction is here made between the god and the idol, which have hitherto been identified. The god was, in each case, unable to deliver, or save from capture, the heavy "burden" of gold, or silver, or bronze (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> his own image) which was carried off on the back of the "weary beast." On the contrary, the gods themselves - the "souls" of the images, immanent in them - were carried off with the images into captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/46-2.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">The gods cower;</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרְס֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rə·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7164.htm">Strong's 7164: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend down, stoop, crouch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they crouch</span><br /><span class="heb">כָֽרְעוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·rə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">together,</span><br /><span class="heb">יַחְדָּ֔ו</span> <span class="translit">(yaḥ·dāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> </span><span class="str2">A unit, unitedly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unable</span><br /><span class="heb">יָכְל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḵə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able, have power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to relieve</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלֵּ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(mal·lêṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4422.htm">Strong's 4422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the burden;</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשָּׂ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(maś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4853.htm">Strong's 4853: </a> </span><span class="str2">A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנַפְשָׁ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nap̄·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">themselves go</span><br /><span class="heb">הָלָֽכָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·lā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into captivity.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשְּׁבִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šə·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7628.htm">Strong's 7628: </a> </span><span class="str2">Exiled, captured, exile, booty</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/46-2.htm">Isaiah 46:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/46-2.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 46:2 They stoop they bow down together (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 46:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 46:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/46-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 46:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 46:3" /></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>