King James Version

What Does Isaiah 31:7 Mean?

Isaiah 31:7 in the King James Version says “For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unt...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. his idols of gold: Heb. the idols of his gold”

Isaiah 31:7 · KJV

Context

5

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

6

Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

7

For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. his idols of gold: Heb. the idols of his gold

8

Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. from: or, for fear of discomfited: or, tributary: Heb. for melting, or, tribute

9

And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. he: Heb. his rock shall pass away for fear his strong hold: or, his strength

Read Isaiah 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold (כִּי בַיּוֹם הַהוּא יִמְאָסוּן אִישׁ אֱלִילֵי כַסְפּוֹ וֶאֱלִילֵי זְהָבוֹ, ki vayom hahu yim'asun ish eleley kaspo ve'eleley zehavo)—each אִישׁ (ish, man) will מָאַס (ma'as, reject, despise, cast away) his אֱלִילִים (elilim, idols, worthless things). Which your own hands have made unto you for a sin (אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ לָכֶם יְדֵיכֶם חֵטְא, asher asu lakhem yedekhem chet)—which your יָדַיִם (yadayim, hands) made as חֵטְא (chet, sin).

True repentance involves idol-abandonment. The irony: humans fashion gods from precious metals, then worship their own handicraft. Isaiah repeatedly mocks idol-making folly (Isaiah 44:9-20). The idols are expensive (כֶּסֶף, kesef, silver and זָהָב, zahav, gold) but worthless (אֱלִיל, elil, can mean 'nothing, worthless'). Repentance means recognizing that what you made, trusted, and invested in is fundamentally חֵטְא (chet, sin). Conversion involves renouncing former idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9)—whether literal statues or metaphorical false-trust objects (money, success, approval, comfort).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hezekiah's reforms included destroying idols and high places (2 Kings 18:4). Josiah later intensified this idol-purge (2 Kings 23). At individual and national levels, repentance required physically destroying false gods. In Acts, new converts in Ephesus burned valuable magic books (Acts 19:19). True turning to God requires turning from idols—not merely mental assent but concrete renunciation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'silver and gold idols'—valuable but false objects of trust—do you need to 'cast away'?
  2. How does recognizing that we create our own idols ('your hands made them') expose the folly of idolatry?
  3. What would it look like for you to physically, practically renounce and destroy your functional idols?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כִּ֚י1 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 14

“For in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא3 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִמְאָס֗וּן4 of 14

“shall cast away”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אִ֚ישׁ5 of 14

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וֶאֱלִילֵ֖י6 of 14

“and his idols”

H457

good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol

כַסְפּ֔וֹ7 of 14

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וֶאֱלִילֵ֖י8 of 14

“and his idols”

H457

good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol

זְהָב֑וֹ9 of 14

“of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂ֥וּ11 of 14

“have made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶ֛ם12 of 14
H0
יְדֵיכֶ֖ם13 of 14

“which your own hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֵֽטְא׃14 of 14

“unto you for a sin”

H2399

a crime or its penalty

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 31:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 31:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 30:22Isaiah 2:20Ezekiel 36:25Hosea 14:8Deuteronomy 7:25Hosea 8:11

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