Isaiah 44:14
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
Original Language Analysis
לִכְרָת
He heweth him down
H3772
לִכְרָת
He heweth him down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 14
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
and taketh
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
and taketh
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
4 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
תִּרְזָה֙
the cypress
H8645
תִּרְזָה֙
the cypress
Strong's:
H8645
Word #:
5 of 14
a species of tree (apparently from its slenderness), perhaps the cypress
וַיְאַמֶּץ
which he strengtheneth
H553
וַיְאַמֶּץ
which he strengtheneth
Strong's:
H553
Word #:
7 of 14
to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
בַּעֲצֵי
for himself among the trees
H6086
בַּעֲצֵי
for himself among the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
9 of 14
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
יָ֑עַר
of the forest
H3293
יָ֑עַר
of the forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
10 of 14
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
Historical Context
This exposes the parasitic nature of idolatry - it depends on the true God's creation while denying Him. The irony that God's rain grows the trees for idols mocks the entire enterprise.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people use God's gifts to construct substitutes for God Himself?
- What does it mean that even the materials for false worship come from the true God?
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Analysis & Commentary
The absurdity deepens: the wood for the idol comes from trees God made grow - cypress, oak, ash trees planted by God and watered by rain. The very material used to create false gods comes from the true God's creation. The Hebrew emphasizes divine agency: 'the LORD...doth nourish it.'