Isaiah 46:7
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Original Language Analysis
יִ֠שָּׂאֻהוּ
They bear
H5375
יִ֠שָּׂאֻהוּ
They bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 18
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּתֵ֨ף
him upon the shoulder
H3802
כָּתֵ֨ף
him upon the shoulder
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
3 of 18
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
יִסְבְּלֻ֜הוּ
they carry
H5445
יִסְבְּלֻ֜הוּ
they carry
Strong's:
H5445
Word #:
4 of 18
to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
וְיַנִּיחֻ֤הוּ
him and set him in his place
H3240
וְיַנִּיחֻ֤הוּ
him and set him in his place
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
5 of 18
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
תַחְתָּיו֙
H8478
תַחְתָּיו֙
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
6 of 18
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וְיַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
and he standeth
H5975
וְיַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
and he standeth
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
7 of 18
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מִמְּקוֹמ֖וֹ
from his place
H4725
מִמְּקוֹמ֖וֹ
from his place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמִ֑ישׁ
shall he not remove
H4185
יָמִ֑ישׁ
shall he not remove
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
10 of 18
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
11 of 18
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יִצְעַ֤ק
yea one shall cry
H6817
יִצְעַ֤ק
yea one shall cry
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
12 of 18
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲנֶ֔ה
unto him yet can he not answer
H6030
יַעֲנֶ֔ה
unto him yet can he not answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
Cross References
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.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.
Historical Context
Isaiah describes the actual manufacturing process of Babylonian idols, which archaeological discoveries have confirmed. Craftsmen fashioned images from wood overlaid with gold and silver, mounted them on pedestals in temple niches, and secured them with nails and chains to prevent toppling (44:12-17). The Enuma Elish and other Mesopotamian texts describe elaborate 'mouth-opening' rituals attempting to animate statues through incantations. Isaiah's satire exposes the absurdity - requiring ceremony to give gods functionality proves they lack inherent life or power.
Questions for Reflection
- What religious practices or spiritual disciplines have you treated as mechanisms to activate God's favor rather than responses to His prior grace?
- How does the immobility of idols ('from his place shall he not remove') contrast with your experience of God's active presence in changing circumstances?
- When have you 'cried unto' sources of security or identity that 'could not answer, nor save' - and how did that disappointment redirect you toward the true Savior?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth. Isaiah's extended satire on idol-making reaches climax here. The worshiper must physically transport, position, and stabilize the deity - a relationship of total dependence reversed from proper worship. The phrase "from his place shall he not remove" highlights immobility; gods requiring fixed locations lack omnipresence. This contrasts sharply with Yahweh who walks with His people through waters and fire (43:2).
"Yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble" employs the Hebrew za'aq (cry out in distress) - the same term for Israel crying to God in Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:23). Idols cannot hear, respond, or deliver. They possess mouths without speech, ears without hearing (Psalm 115:4-7). This inability to save (yasha) creates maximum contrast with Yahweh, repeatedly called Moshia (Savior) in Isaiah 40-66.
Reformed theology applies this critique to all false gospels. Any salvation system requiring human effort to establish, maintain, or activate God's favor creates an idol-god needing carried rather than the sovereign God who carries His elect. Legalism, moralism, and works-righteousness construct stationary deities unable to save when trouble comes. Only the God who moves toward sinners in grace can answer cries for deliverance.