Isaiah 46 Study Notes: Babylon's Idols and the God Who Carries
Babylon's gods Bel and Nebo must be hauled away as burdens on weary animals, while the LORD has carried Israel from birth and will carry them into old age. He alone foretells the future and fulfills His plan, calling a conqueror from the east and bringing His salvation near to a stubborn people.
General
In 46:1-2, what happens to Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon?
Answer: They are loaded on tired animals and hauled into exile
Bel and Nebo were leading gods of Babylon. Isaiah pictures them bent low, their images strapped onto animals as a heavy load that wears the beasts out. Far from rescuing anyone, these gods cannot even save their own images; they themselves go off into captivity (46:1-2). Jeremiah likewise says Bel will be shamed when Babylon falls (Jeremiah 50:2) and mocks idols that must be hauled about since they have no power to walk (Jeremiah 10:5). Long before, the Philistine god Dagon could not even stay standing in front of the LORD's ark (1 Samuel 5:3-4).
- Isaiah 46:1-2 (BSB)“Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.”Babylon's gods are pictured as heavy cargo on weary animals, unable to save themselves from captivity.
- Jeremiah 50:2 (BSB)““Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’”Jeremiah also announces that Bel will be put to shame when Babylon is captured.
- Jeremiah 10:5 (BSB)“Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.””Jeremiah mocks idols that must be carried because they cannot walk.
- 1 Samuel 5:3-4 (BSB)“When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained.”The Philistine god Dagon could not even keep himself upright before the ark of the LORD.
Theological
What does 46:1-2 depict happening to Bel and Nebo?
Answer: They are loaded on tired animals and hauled into exile
Bel and Nebo, chief deities of Babylon, are portrayed stooping and cowering while their images are hauled as freight on exhausted animals; powerless to lift the load, they are themselves taken into captivity (46:1-2). The gods who were supposed to carry their worshipers must be carried, and cannot save even themselves. Jeremiah announces the same humiliation of Bel at Babylon's fall (Jeremiah 50:2) and ridicules idols that must be borne since they are unable to walk (Jeremiah 10:5), much as Dagon collapsed before the ark (1 Samuel 5:3-4).
- Isaiah 46:1-2 (BSB)“Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.”Babylon's gods are pictured as heavy cargo on weary animals, unable to save themselves from captivity.
- Jeremiah 50:2 (BSB)““Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’”Jeremiah also announces that Bel will be put to shame when Babylon is captured.
- Jeremiah 10:5 (BSB)“Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.””Jeremiah mocks idols that must be carried because they cannot walk.
- 1 Samuel 5:3-4 (BSB)“When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained.”The Philistine god Dagon could not even keep himself upright before the ark of the LORD.
General
In 46:11, whom does the image of a hunting bird summoned from the east describe?
Answer: A man from far away called to do His will
The LORD says He calls a hunting bird out of the east, someone from a distant land to carry out His purpose; what He has said and planned, He will do (46:11). In context this points to Cyrus: Isaiah has already spoken of one roused from the east to whom the LORD hands over nations (41:2), and the LORD has named Cyrus as the one who will carry out His desire (44:28; 45:1). Even his conquests are part of the plan God announced in advance.
- Isaiah 46:11 (BSB)“I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.”The LORD says He calls a man from a far country to carry out His plan, and He will surely do it.
- Isaiah 41:2 (BSB)“Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.”Isaiah earlier spoke of one stirred up from the east to whom the LORD hands over nations.
- Isaiah 44:28 (BSB)“who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’””The LORD names Cyrus as the one who will carry out His desire.
- Isaiah 45:1 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:”The LORD addresses Cyrus as the one whose right hand He holds to subdue nations.
Theological
Whom does 46:11 portray as a predatory bird summoned out of the east?
Answer: A man from far away called to do His will
The predatory bird out of the east is a man of the LORD's counsel from a distant land, summoned to execute God's announced plan, which He has spoken and will certainly bring about (46:11). The surrounding chapters point to Cyrus: the one roused from the east who subdues nations (41:2), whom the LORD has named (44:28; 45:1). The conqueror's ambitions serve the decree God has already declared.
- Isaiah 46:11 (BSB)“I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.”The LORD says He calls a man from a far country to carry out His plan, and He will surely do it.
- Isaiah 41:2 (BSB)“Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.”Isaiah earlier spoke of one stirred up from the east to whom the LORD hands over nations.
- Isaiah 44:28 (BSB)“who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’””The LORD names Cyrus as the one who will carry out His desire.
- Isaiah 45:1 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:”The LORD addresses Cyrus as the one whose right hand He holds to subdue nations.
General
In 46:9-10, what does the LORD say sets Him apart from every rival god?
Answer: He announces the outcome before it begins and fulfills all He intends
The LORD calls His people to remember the past: He alone is God, and no one is like Him (46:9). He tells the ending before the story starts and announces from long ago what has not yet happened. His plan will stand firm, and He will do everything He pleases (46:10). Idols cannot even move; the LORD governs all of history from start to finish. Earlier He swore that what He plans will come to pass (14:24), the psalmist says His plans stand forever (Psalm 33:11), and Paul says God works out everything according to His will (Ephesians 1:11). Nothing catches God by surprise, and nothing can stop what He has decided.
- Isaiah 46:9-10 (BSB)“Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’”The LORD sets His power to foretell and accomplish His purpose against the helplessness of idols.
- Isaiah 14:24 (BSB)“The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.”The LORD of Hosts has sworn that what He has planned and purposed will stand.
- Psalm 33:11 (BSB)“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The counsel of the LORD stands forever, His purposes through every generation.
- Ephesians 1:11 (BSB)“In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,”Paul says God works out everything according to the counsel of His will.
Theological
According to 46:9-10, what distinguishes the LORD from all other so-called gods?
Answer: He announces the outcome before it begins and fulfills all He intends
The LORD's uniqueness (46:9) is demonstrated by His exhaustive foreknowledge grounded in His decree: He announces the outcome from the start and what is yet to be from ancient times, and affirms that His counsel will stand and He will accomplish all His good pleasure (46:10). Foretelling and fulfilling are inseparable here; God knows the future because He ordains it. Scripture consistently affirms this sovereign, immutable purpose (14:24; Psalm 33:11), which Paul extends to all things: God works everything according to the purpose He has willed (Ephesians 1:11).
- Isaiah 46:9-10 (BSB)“Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’”The LORD sets His power to foretell and accomplish His purpose against the helplessness of idols.
- Isaiah 14:24 (BSB)“The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.”The LORD of Hosts has sworn that what He has planned and purposed will stand.
- Psalm 33:11 (BSB)“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”The counsel of the LORD stands forever, His purposes through every generation.
- Ephesians 1:11 (BSB)“In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,”Paul says God works out everything according to the counsel of His will.
General
True or False: In 46:6-7, the idol that people pay a goldsmith to make cannot move from its spot or answer those who call to it.
Answer: True
This is true. After asking who could ever be compared to Him (46:5), the LORD describes how people pour out gold, weigh silver, and pay a goldsmith to shape it into an idol. Then they lift it onto their shoulders, set it down, and there it stays, unable to move. When they call to it for help, it gives no answer and rescues no one from trouble (46:6-7). The psalmist mocks idols with mouths that never speak and feet that never walk (Psalm 115:4-7), and Jeremiah says every goldsmith is shamed by the lifeless image he has made (Jeremiah 10:14).
- Isaiah 46:6-7 (BSB)“They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.”Isaiah describes how an idol is paid for, made, carried and set in place, and how it fails those who call on it.
- Isaiah 46:5 (BSB)“To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?”The LORD asks whom anyone could compare Him with.
- Psalm 115:4-7 (BSB)“Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.”The psalmist describes idols of silver and gold with mouths that cannot speak and feet that cannot walk.
- Jeremiah 10:14 (BSB)“Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.”Jeremiah says every goldsmith is put to shame by his lifeless images.
Theological
True or False: According to 46:6-7, the god a goldsmith makes from purchased gold and silver remains fixed in place and neither answers nor saves those who call on it.
Answer: True
This is true. Against the incomparable LORD (46:5), Isaiah sets the expensive manufacture of an idol: gold and silver handed over, a goldsmith hired, the finished god carried on the shoulder and set down, where it stays immovable. It neither answers prayer nor delivers anyone from distress (46:6-7). The worshiper has made, financed and transported his own god, which can do nothing for him. Psalm 115:4-7 and Jeremiah 10:14 make the same indictment of lifeless images and the shame of those who make them.
- Isaiah 46:6-7 (BSB)“They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.”Isaiah describes how an idol is paid for, made, carried and set in place, and how it fails those who call on it.
- Isaiah 46:5 (BSB)“To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?”The LORD asks whom anyone could compare Him with.
- Psalm 115:4-7 (BSB)“Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.”The psalmist describes idols of silver and gold with mouths that cannot speak and feet that cannot walk.
- Jeremiah 10:14 (BSB)“Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.”Jeremiah says every goldsmith is put to shame by his lifeless images.
General
In 46:12-13, the LORD speaks to stubborn people far from righteousness. Why will they still see salvation?
Answer: Because He Himself brings His salvation near to Zion
The LORD addresses His people bluntly: they are hard-hearted and far from righteousness, that is, far from what is right in God's sight (46:12). Yet He promises that He is bringing His own righteousness near, meaning His faithful work of setting things right; His salvation is close and will not be late. He will save Zion and give Israel His splendor (46:13). The rescue does not depend on their goodness, since they are far from it; it depends on what God brings. Isaiah repeats this promise later (51:5). Paul describes the same grace: God proved His love in that Christ died on behalf of people who were still sinners (Romans 5:8), and His righteousness is now given to everyone who trusts in Jesus (Romans 3:21-22).
- Isaiah 46:12-13 (BSB)“Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.”The LORD addresses a stubborn people far from righteousness and promises to bring His own righteousness and salvation near.
- Isaiah 51:5 (BSB)“My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.”The LORD again says that His righteousness draws near and His salvation is on the way.
- Romans 5:8 (BSB)“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”God shows His love in that Christ died for people while they were still sinners.
- Romans 3:21-22 (BSB)“But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,”Paul says the righteousness of God has been revealed and comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Theological
On what ground does 46:12-13 promise salvation to people described as stubborn and far from righteousness?
Answer: Because He Himself brings His salvation near to Zion
The addressees are described as obstinate and remote from righteousness (46:12), yet the LORD announces that He is bringing His righteousness near and that His salvation will not tarry; He will save Zion and give His splendor to Israel (46:13). The ground is entirely God's initiative, not the people's condition. This anticipates the gospel pattern: righteousness from God given to the ungodly. Isaiah reiterates it in 51:5, and Paul presents God's righteousness revealed through faith in Christ (Romans 3:21-22) and God's love demonstrated toward sinners (Romans 5:8).
- Isaiah 46:12-13 (BSB)“Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.”The LORD addresses a stubborn people far from righteousness and promises to bring His own righteousness and salvation near.
- Isaiah 51:5 (BSB)“My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.”The LORD again says that His righteousness draws near and His salvation is on the way.
- Romans 5:8 (BSB)“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”God shows His love in that Christ died for people while they were still sinners.
- Romans 3:21-22 (BSB)“But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,”Paul says the righteousness of God has been revealed and comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
General
In contrast to Babylon's gods, what does the LORD say about how He carries His people (46:3-4)?
Answer: He has carried them from birth and will carry them into old age
Babylon's gods have to be carried, but the LORD carries His people. He tells the remnant of Israel, the survivors He has preserved, that He has upheld them from their earliest days and carried them ever since they were born. He will remain the same into their old age and gray hair; He made them, and He will carry, sustain and rescue them (46:3-4). The whole question is who carries whom. Moses described the LORD carrying Israel through the wilderness the way a man would carry his own son (Deuteronomy 1:31), and Isaiah later recalls how God lifted up and carried His people in days long past (63:9). God does not abandon His work halfway (Philippians 1:6).
- Isaiah 46:3-4 (BSB)““Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”The LORD contrasts Himself with Babylon's carried gods: He has carried His people all their lives and will keep doing so.
- Deuteronomy 1:31 (BSB)“and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.””Moses reminded Israel that the LORD carried them through the wilderness as a man carries his son.
- Isaiah 63:9 (BSB)“In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”Isaiah recalls that the LORD lifted up and carried His people in the days of old.
- Philippians 1:6 (BSB)“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Paul is confident that God finishes the work He begins in His people.
Theological
How does the LORD contrast Himself with Babylon's carried gods in 46:3-4?
Answer: He has carried them from birth and will carry them into old age
The idols are a burden to be borne; the LORD is the One who bears. He addresses the remnant of Israel as those He has upheld from their first days and carried all their lives, and pledges to remain the same and carry them to old age and gray hairs, because He made them and will sustain and deliver them (46:3-4). God's lifelong, unchanging care for His people grounds their preservation: He carried them in the wilderness the way a man bears his own son (Deuteronomy 1:31), lifted and carried them in days of old (63:9), and brings to completion the work He begins (Philippians 1:6).
- Isaiah 46:3-4 (BSB)““Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”The LORD contrasts Himself with Babylon's carried gods: He has carried His people all their lives and will keep doing so.
- Deuteronomy 1:31 (BSB)“and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.””Moses reminded Israel that the LORD carried them through the wilderness as a man carries his son.
- Isaiah 63:9 (BSB)“In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”Isaiah recalls that the LORD lifted up and carried His people in the days of old.
- Philippians 1:6 (BSB)“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Paul is confident that God finishes the work He begins in His people.