Isaiah 46:8

8 Remember this, and be ashamed, bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Isaiah 46:8 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 46:8

Remember this
Or "these things", as the Syriac version, concerning the matter of which, and the manner in which idols are made; their impotency to move themselves, and their inability to help their votaries, and the difference between them and the true God: and show yourselves men;
and not brutes, as the makers and worshippers of images are, or show themselves as if they were; who unmanly themselves, and act contrary to the natural reason of mankind: or "be ye strong" ^F17; so the Targum and Jarchi; fortify yourselves against all temptations to idolatry, and against all the arguments and persuasions of idolaters; or "burn ye" ^F18 or "be ye inflamed", so Rabenu Hal and Joseph Kimchi; that is, blush and be ashamed at such sottishness and stupidity, as men when they are ashamed look as if their faces were inflamed; so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "be ye confounded" ^F19; or the sense is, be fervent in spirit, be fired ^F20 with zeal for God and his glory, and with indignation against such gross idolatry: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors;
of the law of God, in this instance of idolatry; meaning either the Babylonians, or rather the Jews, who had been drawn in by them to idolatrous practices; calling upon them to return to their senses; to use and exercise their reason; to recollect and reconsider things, and observe and repent of the folly and wickedness they had been guilty of.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (wvvath) "roborat vos", Pagninus, Tigurine version; so Ben Melech interprets the word.
F18 Ardete, "comburite vos", some in Vatablus.
F19 "Confundamini", V. L. "et erubescite", Calvin.
F20 "Incendimini sive corripimini zelo", Vitringa.

Isaiah 46:8 In-Context

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

7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him and set him in his place. There he is; he does not move from his place; they cry unto him, and neither does he answer, nor save from the tribulation.

8 Remember this, and be ashamed, bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like me,

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