King James Version

What Does Isaiah 46:7 Mean?

Isaiah 46:7 in the King James Version says “They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.”

Isaiah 46:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

5

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

6

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

7

They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

8

Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

9

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Read Isaiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth. Isaiah's extended satire on idol-making reaches climax here. The worshiper must physically transport, position, and stabilize the deity - a relationship of total dependence reversed from proper worship. The phrase "from his place shall he not remove" highlights immobility; gods requiring fixed locations lack omnipresence. This contrasts sharply with Yahweh who walks with His people through waters and fire (43:2).

"Yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble" employs the Hebrew za'aq (cry out in distress) - the same term for Israel crying to God in Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:23). Idols cannot hear, respond, or deliver. They possess mouths without speech, ears without hearing (Psalm 115:4-7). This inability to save (yasha) creates maximum contrast with Yahweh, repeatedly called Moshia (Savior) in Isaiah 40-66.

Reformed theology applies this critique to all false gospels. Any salvation system requiring human effort to establish, maintain, or activate God's favor creates an idol-god needing carried rather than the sovereign God who carries His elect. Legalism, moralism, and works-righteousness construct stationary deities unable to save when trouble comes. Only the God who moves toward sinners in grace can answer cries for deliverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah describes the actual manufacturing process of Babylonian idols, which archaeological discoveries have confirmed. Craftsmen fashioned images from wood overlaid with gold and silver, mounted them on pedestals in temple niches, and secured them with nails and chains to prevent toppling (44:12-17). The Enuma Elish and other Mesopotamian texts describe elaborate 'mouth-opening' rituals attempting to animate statues through incantations. Isaiah's satire exposes the absurdity - requiring ceremony to give gods functionality proves they lack inherent life or power.

Reflection Questions

  1. What religious practices or spiritual disciplines have you treated as mechanisms to activate God's favor rather than responses to His prior grace?
  2. How does the immobility of idols ('from his place shall he not remove') contrast with your experience of God's active presence in changing circumstances?
  3. When have you 'cried unto' sources of security or identity that 'could not answer, nor save' - and how did that disappointment redirect you toward the true Savior?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
יִ֠שָּׂאֻהוּ1 of 18

“They bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עַל2 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּתֵ֨ף3 of 18

“him upon the shoulder”

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

יִסְבְּלֻ֜הוּ4 of 18

“they carry”

H5445

to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid

וְיַנִּיחֻ֤הוּ5 of 18

“him and set him in his place”

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

תַחְתָּיו֙6 of 18
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

וְיַֽעֲמֹ֔ד7 of 18

“and he standeth”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מִמְּקוֹמ֖וֹ8 of 18

“from his place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

לֹ֣א9 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָמִ֑ישׁ10 of 18

“shall he not remove”

H4185

to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)

אַף11 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

יִצְעַ֤ק12 of 18

“yea one shall cry”

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

אֵלָיו֙13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְלֹ֣א14 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַעֲנֶ֔ה15 of 18

“unto him yet can he not answer”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מִצָּרָת֖וֹ16 of 18

“him out of his trouble”

H6869

transitively, a female rival

לֹ֥א17 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוֹשִׁיעֶֽנּוּ׃18 of 18

“nor save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

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 46:7 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 46:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 45:20Jeremiah 10:5Isaiah 46:11 Samuel 5:3Jonah 1:14-16Jeremiah 2:28

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