Isaiah 44:10

10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?

Isaiah 44:10 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit?
The Message Bible (MSG)
10 Who would bother making gods that can't do anything, that can't "god"?
American Standard Version (ASV)
10 Who hath fashioned a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
10 Nothing comes from making gods or casting metal idols.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
10 Who makes a god or casts a metal image for no profit?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
10 People make statues of gods. But those gods can't do them any good.

Isaiah 44:10 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 44:10

Who hath formed a god
Who ever made one? was such a thing ever known? or can that be a god which is made or formed? who so mad, foolish and sottish, as to imagine he has made a god? or is it possible for a creature to be the maker of a god? or any so stupid as to fancy he had made one? yet such there were, so void of understanding and reason, and even common sense: "or molten a graven image": first melted it, and cast it into a mould, and then graved and polished it, and called it a god? that is profitable for nothing?
or seeing it "is profitable for nothing", as a god; cannot see the persons, nor hear the prayers, nor relieve the distresses of those that worship it; and therefore it must be great folly indeed to make an image for such a purpose, which answers no end.

Isaiah 44:10 In-Context

8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?
11 People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame.
12 The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Isaiah 40:19
  • 2. Isaiah 41:29; Jeremiah 10:5; Acts 19:26
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