Isaiah 44:20

Faith Sin

¹⁸ They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

¹⁹ And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

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?

²¹ Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

²² I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

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 feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Read in context
Psalms 102:9
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
Read in context
Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Read in context
Job 15:31
Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
Read in context
Romans 1:25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Read in context
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he can not deny himself.
Read in context
Hosea 4:12
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Read in context
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Read in context