Isaiah 44:12
The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
Original Language Analysis
בַּרְזֶל֙
The smith
H1270
בַּרְזֶל֙
The smith
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
2 of 18
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
וַיִּפְעָלֵ֙הוּ֙
and worketh
H6466
וַיִּפְעָלֵ֙הוּ֙
and worketh
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
4 of 18
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
וּבַמַּקָּב֖וֹת
it with hammers
H4717
וּבַמַּקָּב֖וֹת
it with hammers
Strong's:
H4717
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, a perforatrix, i.e., a hammer (as piercing)
יִצְּרֵ֑הוּ
and fashioneth
H3335
יִצְּרֵ֑הוּ
and fashioneth
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
7 of 18
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
וַיִּפְעָלֵ֙הוּ֙
and worketh
H6466
וַיִּפְעָלֵ֙הוּ֙
and worketh
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
8 of 18
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
בִּזְר֣וֹעַ
of his arms
H2220
בִּזְר֣וֹעַ
of his arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
9 of 18
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
כֹּ֔חַ
and his strength
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
and his strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
10 of 18
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כֹּ֔חַ
and his strength
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
and his strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
14 of 18
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This detailed description of metalworking mocks the labor-intensive idol production in Babylon, where professional smiths created religious images. Their human weakness exposes their products' impotence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the idol-maker's exhaustion creating his 'god' contrast with God who strengthens the weary?
- What does it reveal when we exhaust ourselves serving things that cannot give life?
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Analysis & Commentary
The satire becomes vivid: the smith works with tongs in coals, fashions iron with hammers, works with his strong arm, then grows hungry and weak. The irony is devastating - the god-maker exhausts himself creating a 'god' that cannot give him strength. His thirst and faintness contrast with God who never faints or grows weary (40:28).