Isaiah 44:19
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשִׁ֣יב
And none considereth
H7725
יָשִׁ֣יב
And none considereth
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 27
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
H3820
לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 27
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלֹ֨א
H3808
וְלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְבוּנָה֮
nor understanding
H8394
תְבוּנָה֮
nor understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
8 of 27
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
וְ֠אַף
H637
וְ֠אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
14 of 27
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֶ֔חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֔חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
18 of 27
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
בָשָׂ֖ר
flesh
H1320
בָשָׂ֖ר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
20 of 27
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וְיִתְרוֹ֙
the residue
H3499
וְיִתְרוֹ֙
the residue
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
לְתוֹעֵבָ֣ה
thereof an abomination
H8441
לְתוֹעֵבָ֣ה
thereof an abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה
it and shall I make
H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה
it and shall I make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
24 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:15Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.1 Kings 11:5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.1 Kings 11:7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.Isaiah 5:13Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.Isaiah 45:20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.Exodus 7:23And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.Deuteronomy 32:46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.Ezekiel 40:4And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.Hosea 7:2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.2 Kings 23:13And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
Historical Context
The call to consider and reason reflects the prophetic appeal to use God-given rationality. Idolatry represents a failure not just of faith but of basic logic.
Questions for Reflection
- How does idolatry represent a failure to think clearly about what we're doing?
- What does it mean to 'consider in your heart' the implications of your worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Isaiah marvels that no one 'considers in his heart' ('lev' - the seat of understanding) the absurdity: burning part for fire and baking, then worshiping the 'residue.' The rhetorical questions expose the failure of basic reasoning: 'Shall I make the residue thereof an abomination?' The Hebrew 'toevah' (abomination) is the strongest term for what God detests.