Isaiah 45:9
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Original Language Analysis
רָ֚ב
unto him that striveth
H7378
רָ֚ב
unto him that striveth
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְיֹֽצְרוֹ֙
to him that fashioneth
H3335
לְיֹֽצְרוֹ֙
to him that fashioneth
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
4 of 17
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֹ֤מֶר
Shall the clay
H2563
חֹ֤מֶר
Shall the clay
Strong's:
H2563
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure
לְיֹֽצְרוֹ֙
to him that fashioneth
H3335
לְיֹֽצְרוֹ֙
to him that fashioneth
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
11 of 17
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
מַֽה
H4100
מַֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה
it What makest
H6213
תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה
it What makest
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.Isaiah 29:16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?Isaiah 10:15Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.Jeremiah 18:6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.Jeremiah 50:24I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.1 Corinthians 10:22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Historical Context
This addresses potential Israelite objection to God using a pagan like Cyrus. Who are they to question God's methods? The Potter has absolute rights over clay.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you find yourself striving with or questioning your Maker?
- How does the potter/clay imagery humble human presumption about God's ways?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Woe to those who strive with their Maker, mere 'potsherds' (clay fragments) among clay fragments. The Hebrew 'geresh' (potsherd) emphasizes humanity's fragility and commonness. Can clay question the potter, asking 'What makest thou?' or criticizing 'He hath no hands'? This anticipates Romans 9:20 where Paul uses this exact argument.