Isaiah 44:20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Original Language Analysis
רֹעֶ֣ה
He feedeth
H7462
רֹעֶ֣ה
He feedeth
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
1 of 14
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
לֵ֥ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֥ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 14
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
הִטָּ֑הוּ
hath turned him aside
H5186
הִטָּ֑הוּ
hath turned him aside
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
5 of 14
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַצִּ֤יל
that he cannot deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֤יל
that he cannot deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
7 of 14
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשׁוֹ֙
his soul
H5315
נַפְשׁוֹ֙
his soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֲל֥וֹא
H3808
הֲל֥וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 102:9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,Job 15:31Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;Hosea 12:1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.Romans 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.Hosea 4:12My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.2 Timothy 2:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.Revelation 13:14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Revelation 18:23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Historical Context
The image of feeding on ashes pictures attempting to sustain life on what has no nutritive value. Spiritual malnutrition results from worshiping what cannot give life.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do people today 'feed on ashes' - pursuing what cannot satisfy?
- How does self-deception prevent us from asking whether we're trusting in lies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The idol-worshiper 'feeds on ashes' - pursuing what cannot nourish. A 'deceived heart' has turned him aside so he cannot 'deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?' The Hebrew 'kazav' (lie) describes the idol he clings to. Self-deception prevents even asking the right questions about ultimate reality.