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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 17:8 They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/17-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/23_Isa_17_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 17:8 - An Oracle Concerning Damascus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers." /><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/17-8.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/17-8.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/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 8</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="/ad8.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/17-7.htm" title="Isaiah 17:7">◄</a> Isaiah 17:8 <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm" title="Isaiah 17:9">►</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/17.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/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made. They will never again bow down to their Asherah poles or worship at the pagan shrines they have built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect <i>that</i> which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Even the Asherim and incense altars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Even the Asherim and incense stands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Even the Asherim and incense stands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Even the Asherim and incense stands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he will not have regard for the [idolatrous] altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Neither the Asherim (symbols of the goddess Asherah) nor the incense altars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars they made with their hands or to the Asherahs and shrines they made with their fingers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars they made with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they made with their fingers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they shall not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they have respect to that which their fingers have made, either the Asherim, or the sun-images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They have built altars and places for burning incense to their goddess Asherah, and they have set up sacred poles for her. But they will stop worshiping at these places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall he have respect to that which his fingers have made, either the Asherim, or the sun-images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They won't look to the altars made by their hands or to the Asherah poles or incense altars which their fingers molded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They will no longer rely on the altars they made with their own hands, or trust in their own handiwork--symbols of the goddess Asherah and altars for burning incense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They will not look upon the altars, the products that their own fingers have made, and they will have no regard for Asherah poles or incense altars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They will no longer trust in the altars their hands made, or depend on the Asherah poles and incense altars their fingers made. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they respect that which their fingers have made, either the Asherim, or the incense altars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands; neither shall they respect that which their fingers have made, either the Asherah poles or the incense altars. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he does not look to the altars. The work of his own hands, "" And that which his own fingers made, He does not see—the Asherim and the images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he looketh not unto the altars. The work of his own hands, And that which his own fingers made He seeth not -- the shrines and the images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and what his fingers made he shall not see, and the statues and the images.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he shall not look to the altars which his hands made: and he shall not have respect to the things that his fingers wrought, such as groves and temples. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he will not bow before the altars that his hands have made. And he will not consider the things that his fingers have made, the sacred groves and the shrines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They shall not turn to the altars, the work of their hands, nor shall they look to what their fingers have made: the asherahs or the incense stands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they will not have regard for the altars, the work of their hands, and they will not look to what their own fingers have made, either the sacred poles or the altars of incense.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he shall not trust in the altars, the work of his hands and the work which his fingers have made, neither shall he look at the idols or the images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shall not trust on the altars of the works of his hands and the works of his fingers, and he shall not gaze at idols or at worshiped things<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he shall not regard the altars, The work of his hands, Neither shall he look to that which his fingers have made, Either the Asherim, or the sun-images.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they shall not at all trust in their altars, nor in the works of their hands, which their fingers made; and they shall not look to the trees, nor to their abominations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/17-8.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=3630" 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/17.htm">An Oracle Concerning Damascus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">They will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8159.htm" title="8159: yiš·‘eh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to gaze at or about; by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed or bewildered.">look</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ma·‘ă·śêh (N-msc) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">they have fashioned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">with their hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: wa·’ă·šer (Conj-w:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">or to the Asherahs</a> <a href="/hebrew/2553.htm" title="2553: wə·hā·ḥam·mā·nîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- A sun pillar. From chammah; a sun-pillar.">and incense altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">they have made</a> <a href="/hebrew/676.htm" title="676: ’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- A finger. From the same as tseba'; something to sieze with, i.e. A finger; by analogy, a toe.">with their fingers.</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/7200.htm" title="7200: yir·’eh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively."></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken thickets and summits, abandoned to the Israelites and to utter desolation.…<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="/hosea/14-3.htm">Hosea 14:3</a></span><br />Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Micah 5:13</a></span><br />I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-28.htm">Jeremiah 2:28</a></span><br />But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">2 Kings 19:18</a></span><br />They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></span><br />Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-7.htm">Isaiah 31:7</a></span><br />For on that day, every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold that your own hands have sinfully made.<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="/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="/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="/1_kings/16-13.htm">1 Kings 16:13</a></span><br />This happened because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-26.htm">1 Kings 16:26</a></span><br />For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins, which he caused Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-25.htm">2 Chronicles 34:25</a></span><br />because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/acts/19-26.htm">Acts 19:26</a></span><br />And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4</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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.</p><p class="hdg">he shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-29.htm">Isaiah 1:29</a></b></br> For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-18.htm">Isaiah 2:18-21</a></b></br> And the idols he shall utterly abolish… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a></b></br> By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this <i>is</i> all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.</p><p class="hdg">the work</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></b></br> Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">Isaiah 31:6,7</a></b></br> Turn ye unto <i>him from</i> whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-15.htm">Isaiah 44:15,19,20</a></b></br> Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth <i>it</i>, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth <i>it</i>; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto… </p><p class="hdg">images.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">2 Chronicles 14:5</a></b></br> Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</a></b></br> And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that <i>were</i> on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust <i>of them</i>, and strowed <i>it</i> upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/84-3.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Either</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Fingers</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-18.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-11.htm">Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/songs/5-15.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-7.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-7.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-10.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Sun-Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-8.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-12.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-11.htm">Either</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Fingers</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-25.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-9.htm">Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-11.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-11.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Sun-Images</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-9.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm">Syria and Israel are threatened</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-6.htm">A remnant shall forsake idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">The rest shall be plagued for their impiety</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">The woe of Israel's enemies</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/17.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/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands</b><br>This phrase indicates a turning away from idolatry, a common theme in the prophetic books. The altars represent human attempts to create objects of worship, often in defiance of God's commandments. In the historical context, Israel and Judah frequently fell into idol worship, influenced by surrounding nations. The altars symbolize self-reliance and disobedience, as they are crafted by human hands rather than ordained by God. This turning away signifies repentance and a return to worshiping the true God, aligning with the prophetic call to abandon false gods.<p><b>or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers</b><br>Asherahs were wooden symbols or poles associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often placed near altars dedicated to Baal. The mention of Asherahs highlights the syncretism that plagued Israel, as they adopted pagan practices. Incense altars were used in idol worship, contrasting with the incense offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law for the worship of Yahweh. The phrase underscores the futility of idolatry, as these objects are crafted by human fingers, emphasizing their impotence compared to the living God. This turning away from Asherahs and incense altars is a prophetic call to purity and exclusive devotion to God, resonating with the broader biblical narrative of God's desire for a holy and faithful people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The northern kingdom, often criticized by prophets for idolatry and turning away from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom, also warned by prophets, though it had periods of reform.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a></b><br>Wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often set up beside altars.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/altars.htm">Altars</a></b><br>Structures built for offering sacrifices, which in this context, were made for idols rather than the worship of Yahweh.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophet_isaiah.htm">Prophet Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, who conveyed God's messages to Israel and Judah, warning them of judgment and calling them to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry's_futility.htm">Idolatry's Futility</a></b><br>Idolatry is ultimately futile because it involves worshiping what is created rather than the Creator. This passage reminds us that man-made objects cannot provide salvation or true guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The verse calls for a turning away from false worship and a return to God. It is a reminder that repentance involves not just turning away from sin but also turning towards God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The passage underscores God's sovereignty and the need for His people to rely on Him alone. It challenges us to examine our lives for anything that might take God's place.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_idols.htm">Cultural Idols</a></b><br>In today's context, idols may not be physical objects but can be anything that takes precedence over God in our lives, such as money, power, or status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_worship.htm">Faithfulness in Worship</a></b><br>True worship involves a heart fully devoted to God, free from the distractions and deceptions of idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_altar.htm">What defines an altar?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_the_discrepancy_on_jehoshaphat's_actions.htm">In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sacred_objects_fit_with_acts_17_29.htm">Acts 17:29 - If God is beyond images and idols, how do Old Testament instructions for sacred objects not contradict Paul's teaching here?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The groves or the images.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">the Asherah or the sun-images. </span>The former were conical, tree-like pillars which symbolised the worship of a Canaanite goddess, the giver of good fortune. (See Notes on <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm" title="And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:">2Kings 21:7</a>; <a href="/context/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" title="For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.">2Chronicles 34:3-7</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he shall not look to the altars</span>. The altars at Dan and Bethel (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-33</a>) may be intended, or the Israelites may have had other idolatrous altars besides these (<a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">2 Kings 17:11</a>; <a href="/hosea/8-11.htm">Hosea 8:11</a>). Josiah, about <span class="date">B.C. 631</span>, broke down altars throughout all the land of Israel, in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon (?), even unto Naphtali (<a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">2 Chronicles 34:5-7</a>). Apparently he had the consent of the inhabitants to this demolition. <span class="cmt_word">Either the groves, or the images</span>, <span class="accented">Asherah</span>, the word here and elsewhere commonly translated "grove" in the Authorized Version, is now generally admitted to have designated an artificial construction of wood or metal, which was used in the idolatrous worship of the Phoenicians and the Israelites, probably as the emblem of some deity. The Assyrian "sacred tree" was most likely an emblem of the same kind, and may give an idea of the sort of object worshipped under the name of Asherah (comp. 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2. pp. 235-237). The Israelites, in the time of their prosperity, had set up "groves" of this character "on every high hill, and under every green tree" (<a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a>). Many of them were still standing when Josiah made his iconoclastic raid into the Israelite country (<a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">2 Chronicles 34:5-7</a>), and were broken down by him at the same time as the altars. The "images" of this place are the same as those coupled with the Israelite "groves" in <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">2 Chronicles 34:7</a>, namely "sun-images," emblems of Baal, probably pillars or conical stones, such as are known to have held a place in the religious worship of Phoenicia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/17-8.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">They will not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">look</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁעֶ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8159.htm">Strong's 8159: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the altars</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמִּזְבְּח֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have made</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·śêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> </span><span class="str2">An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with their hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or to the Asherahs</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and incense altars</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָחַמָּנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·ḥam·mā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2553.htm">Strong's 2553: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sun-pillar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have made</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשׂ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with their fingers.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶצְבְּעֹתָיו֙</span> <span class="translit">(’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_676.htm">Strong's 676: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something to sieze with, a finger, a toe</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/17-8.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 17:8 They will not look to the altars (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/17-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 17:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 17:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 17:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 17:9" /></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>