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Isaiah Chapter 46 (JPS)

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Isaiah Chapter 46 (JPS)
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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.

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

3 Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that are borne by Me from the birth, that are carried from the womb:

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

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

6 Ye that lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance; ye that hire a goldsmith, that he make it a god, to fall down thereto, yea, to worship.

7 He is borne upon the shoulder, he is carried, and set in his place, and he standeth, from his place he doth not remove; yea, though one cry unto him, he cannot answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

8 Remember this, and stand fast; bring it to mind, O ye transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old: that I am G-d, and there is none else; I am G-d, and there is none like Me;

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

11 Calling a bird of prey 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.

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah 46 about?
It contrasts the Babylonian idols Bel and Nebo, which have to be carried on tired animals and go into captivity themselves (vv.1-2), with the LORD, who says he has carried his people from birth and will keep carrying them into old age (vv.3-4), a promise echoed at Psalms 71:18.
Who are Bel and Nebo in Isaiah 46?
They're named in verse 1 as Babylonian idols that 'boweth down' and 'stoopeth,' too heavy a burden even for the weary beasts carrying them - contrasted with the living God who carries his people instead of needing to be carried.
What is the 'ravenous bird from the east' in Isaiah 46:11?
It's an unnamed figure the LORD says he is 'calling...from a far country' to carry out his purposed plan (v.11), following the chapter's claim of 'declaring the end from the beginning' (v.10).

Today's Verse

Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.

Psalms 104:25 | ASV

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