Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Isaiah

Isaiah 46

1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth; their idols are upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: the things that ye carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary beast.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Bel H1078 (בֵּל) — Bel, the Baal of the Babylonians
  • boweth down H3766 (כָּרַע) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
  • Nebo H5015 (נְבוֹ) — Nebo, the name of a Babylonian deity, also of a mountain in Moab, and of a place in Palestine
  • stoopeth H7164 (קָרַס) — to hunch, i.e. be hump-backed
  • their idols H6091 (עָצָב) — an (idolatrous) image
  • were upon the beasts H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
  • and upon the cattle H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
  • your carriages H5385 (נְשׂוּאָה) — something borne, i.e. a load
  • heavy loaden H6006 (עָמַס) — to load, i.e. impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction)
  • a burden H4853 (מַשָּׂא) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
  • to the weary H5889 (עָיֵף) — languid

2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They stoop H7164 (קָרַס) — to hunch, i.e. be hump-backed
  • they bow down H3766 (כָּרַע) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
  • together H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
  • they could H3201 (יָכֹל) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
  • not deliver H4422 (מָלַט) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit spa…
  • the burden H4853 (מַשָּׂא) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
  • but themselves H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • are gone H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
  • into captivity H7628 (שְׁבִי) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne by me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Hearken H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • unto me, O house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
  • of Jacob H3290 (יַעֲקֹב) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
  • and all the remnant H7611 (שְׁאֵרִית) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
  • of the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
  • of Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
  • which are borne H6006 (עָמַס) — to load, i.e. impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction)
  • from the belly H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
  • which are carried H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • from the womb H7356 (רַחַם) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden

4 and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • old age H2209 (זִקְנָה) — old age
  • to hoar hairs H7872 (שֵׂיבָה) — old age
  • will I carry H5445 (סָבַל) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
  • I have made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • and I will bear H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • even I will carry H5445 (סָבַל) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
  • and will deliver H4422 (מָלַט) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit spa…

5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To whom will ye liken H1819 (דָּמָה) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
  • equal H7737 (שָׁוָה) — properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.)
  • and compare H4911 (מָשַׁל) — to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
  • me, that we may be like H1819 (דָּמָה) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

6 Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They lavish H2107 (זוּל) — probably to shake out, i.e. (by implication) to scatter profusely; figuratively, to treat lightly
  • gold H2091 (זָהָב) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
  • out of the bag H3599 (כִּיס) — a cup; also a bag for money or weights
  • and weigh H8254 (שָׁקַל) — to suspend or poise (especially in trade)
  • silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
  • in the balance H7070 (קָנֶה) — a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
  • hire H7936 (שָׂכַר) — to hire
  • a goldsmith H6884 (צָרַף) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)
  • and he maketh H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • it a god H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • they fall down H5456 (סָגַד) — to prostrate oneself (in homage)
  • yea, they worship H7812 (שָׁחָה) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)

7 They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They bear H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • him upon the shoulder H3802 (כָּתֵף) — 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 anything
  • they carry H5445 (סָבַל) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
  • him, and set him in his place H3240 (יָנַח) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
  • and he standeth H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
  • from his place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — 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)
  • shall he not remove H4185 (מוּשׁ) — to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
  • shall cry H6817 (צָעַק) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
  • unto him, yet can he not answer H6030 (עָנָה) — 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, testify, a…
  • nor save H3467 (יָשַׁע) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
  • him out of his trouble H6869 (צָרָה) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival

8 Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
  • this, and shew yourselves men H377 (אִישׁ) — to be a man, i.e. act in a manly way
  • again H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • to mind H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • O ye transgressors H6586 (פָּשַׁע) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
  • the former things H7223 (רִאשׁוֹן) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
  • of old H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
  • God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • none H657 (אֶפֶס) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot
  • like H3644 (כְּמוֹ) — as, thus, so

10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Declaring H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…
  • the end H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
  • from the beginning H7225 (רֵאשִׁית) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
  • and from ancient times H6924 (קֶדֶם) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
  • done H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • saying H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • My counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
  • shall stand H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • and I will do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • all my pleasure H2656 (חֵפֶץ) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Calling H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
  • a ravenous bird H5861 (עַיִט) — a hawk or other bird of prey
  • from the east H4217 (מִזְרָח) — sunrise, i.e. the east
  • the man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
  • that executeth my counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
  • from a far H4801 (מֶרְחָק) — remoteness, i.e. (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar
  • country H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • yea, I have spoken H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • I will also bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • it to pass; I have purposed H3335 (יָצַר) — to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)
  • I will also do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

12 Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness:

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Hearken H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • unto me, ye stouthearted H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • unto me, ye stouthearted H47 (אַבִּיר)
  • far from H7350 (רָחוֹק) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
  • righteousness H6666 (צְדָקָה) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I bring near H7126 (קָרַב) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
  • my righteousness H6666 (צְדָקָה) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
  • it shall not be far off H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
  • and my salvation H8668 (תְּשׁוּעָה) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
  • shall not tarry H309 (אָחַר) — to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate
  • and I will place H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • salvation H8668 (תְּשׁוּעָה) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
  • in Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
  • for Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
  • my glory H8597 (תִּפְאָרָה) — ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)