Isaiah 45:20
Assemble 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.
Original Language Analysis
וָבֹ֛אוּ
yourselves and come
H935
וָבֹ֛אוּ
yourselves and come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הִֽתְנַגְּשׁ֥וּ
draw near
H5066
הִֽתְנַגְּשׁ֥וּ
draw near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
3 of 17
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֗וּ
they have no knowledge
H3045
יָדְע֗וּ
they have no knowledge
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַנֹּֽשְׂאִים֙
that set up
H5375
הַנֹּֽשְׂאִים֙
that set up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
9 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵ֣ץ
the wood
H6086
עֵ֣ץ
the wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
11 of 17
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וּמִתְפַּלְלִ֔ים
and pray
H6419
וּמִתְפַּלְלִ֔ים
and pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
13 of 17
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
אֵ֖ל
unto a god
H410
אֵ֖ל
unto a god
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
15 of 17
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
Cross References
Isaiah 43:9Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.Jeremiah 10:5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.Isaiah 46:1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.Psalms 115:8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Historical Context
This courtroom scene (continuing from chapter 41) invites nations to present evidence for their gods' power. Their silence condemns their worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'have no knowledge' about the nature of true worship?
- How do modern forms of misplaced trust fail to save in life's crucial moments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Nations are summoned to assemble and 'draw near together.' Those who carry wooden idols are exposed as having 'no knowledge' - they pray to gods that 'cannot save.' The Hebrew 'yasha' (save/deliver) is precisely what idols cannot do. Salvation requires power, knowledge, and will that no created object possesses.