Isaiah 2:8
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א
also is full
H4390
וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א
also is full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
1 of 9
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֱלִילִ֑ים
of idols
H457
אֱלִילִ֑ים
of idols
Strong's:
H457
Word #:
3 of 9
good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol
לְמַעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
H4639
לְמַעֲשֵׂ֤ה
the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
4 of 9
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדָיו֙
of their own hands
H3027
יָדָיו֙
of their own hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 9
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ
they worship
H7812
יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ
they worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
6 of 9
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Revelation 9:20And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:Isaiah 37:19And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.Jeremiah 2:28But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
Historical Context
Archaeological discoveries confirm widespread idol production in Iron Age Judah—terracotta figurines, bronze images, and household shrines. Despite covenant monotheism, material idolatry pervaded Israelite religion.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'works of our own hands'—careers, families, ministries—do we subtly worship?
- How does recognizing the absurdity of idolatry help us identify and forsake modern functional gods?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The proliferation of idols—'work of their own hands'—indicts manufacturing gods, then worshipping human creation. This absurdity, emphasized by 'that which their own fingers have made,' exposes idolatry's irrationality: bowing to what we've fashioned. Paul later mocks this incoherence (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:23). The Reformed emphasis on Creator-creature distinction highlights that worship must flow from creature to Creator, never inverting this order. Idolatry represents supreme folly: serving what should serve us.