Isaiah 44:20
18 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.
19 And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”
He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
21 Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you.
22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
- KJV
- He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
- WEB
- He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside; and he can’t deliver his soul, nor say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”
- ASV
- He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
- DARBY
- He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
- BLB
- He grazes on ashes, a deceived heart has stretched him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, and he does not say, “Is not a lie in my right hand?”
- ÅB
- Den som holder seg til det som bare er aske, ham har et dåret hjerte ført vill, og han redder ikke sin sjel og sier ikke: Er det ikke løgn det jeg har i min høyre hånd?
- OTB
- Han lever av aske; et bedratt hjerte har villedet ham. Han kan ikke redde seg selv, eller si: "Er ikke denne tingen i min høyre hånd en løgn?"
- B1930
- Den som holder sig til det som bare er aske, ham har et dåret hjerte ført vill, og han redder ikke sin sjel og sier ikke: Er det ikke løgn det jeg har i min høire hånd?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 12:1
Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
Read in contextPsalms 102:9
For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears
Read in contextRomans 1:28
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Read in contextJob 15:31
Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.
Read in contextRomans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
Read in context2 Timothy 2:13
if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Read in contextHosea 4:12
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.
Read in contextRevelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Read in context