Isaiah 37:19
Isaiah 37:19 in Multiple Translations
They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.
And have given their gods to the fire: for they were no gods, but wood and stone, the work of men's hands; so they have given them to destruction.
They have thrown their gods into the fire because they are not really gods—they are just the work of human hands, made of wood and stone so they could destroy them.
And haue cast their gods in ye fire: for they were no gods, but the worke of mans hands, euen wood or stone: therefore they destroyed them.
so as to put their gods into fire — for they [are] no gods, but work of the hands of man, wood and stone — and they destroy them.
and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.
And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
And they have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the works of men’s hands, of wood and stone: and they broke them in pieces.
And they have thrown all the idols of those nations into fires and burned them. But they were not really gods. They were only idols made of wood and stone, and that is why they were destroyed easily.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 37:19
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Isaiah 37:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 37:19
Study Notes — Isaiah 37:19
Context — Hezekiah’s Prayer
19They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.
20And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God. ” 21Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to Me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 44:9–10 | All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? |
| 2 | Jeremiah 10:11 | Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” |
| 3 | Hosea 8:6 | For this thing is from Israel— a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria. |
| 4 | Isaiah 10:9–11 | “Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?” |
| 5 | Psalms 115:4–8 | 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. Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. |
| 6 | Exodus 32:20 | Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it. |
| 7 | Isaiah 41:29 | See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. |
| 8 | Isaiah 41:24 | Behold, you are nothing and your work is of no value. Anyone who chooses you is detestable. |
| 9 | Isaiah 41:7 | The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled. |
| 10 | Isaiah 40:19–21 | To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple? Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? |
Isaiah 37:19 Summary
[This verse is saying that the Assyrians took the idols from the countries they conquered and destroyed them, because they knew these idols were not really gods, just things made by people, as seen in the contrast between the true God and idols in Psalm 96:5. This shows that even those who do not know God can see that idols are powerless. The Bible teaches us to trust in the one true God, who is the Creator of all things, and not in things made by human hands, as stated in Isaiah 44:9-20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the Assyrians cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them?
This means that the Assyrians, in their conquests, had taken the idols of the nations they defeated and destroyed them, recognizing their powerlessness, as stated in Isaiah 37:19, which is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Deuteronomy 4:28 that idol worshippers would eventually recognize the futility of their idols.
Why are the idols described as 'only wood and stone—the work of human hands'?
This description emphasizes the contrast between the true God and the false idols, as seen in Psalm 115:4-8, which highlights the inability of idols to act or save, unlike the living God who is the Creator of all things.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Isaiah 37?
This verse is part of Hezekiah's prayer to God, asking for deliverance from the Assyrian king Sennacherib, and it serves as a declaration of the superiority of the God of Israel over the idols of the nations, as seen in Isaiah 37:20, where Hezekiah asks God to save them so that all kingdoms may know that the Lord alone is God.
What can we learn from the fact that the Assyrians destroyed the idols of the nations they conquered?
This shows that even those who do not know the true God may recognize the emptiness of idol worship, and it serves as a reminder to trust in the living God, as exhorted in Jeremiah 10:10, which contrasts the false gods with the true God who is the Maker of all things.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'idols' in my life that I need to recognize as powerless and destroy, and how can I trust in the true God instead?
- How does the description of idols as 'the work of human hands' help me understand the nature of true worship and the difference between the Creator and created things?
- In what ways can I, like Hezekiah, declare the superiority of God over the false idols and systems of this world, and what does this mean for my daily life?
- What are some areas where I am tempted to trust in 'wood and stone' rather than the living God, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in Him?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 37:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 37:19
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 37:19
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 37:19
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 37:19
Sermons on Isaiah 37:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Unreached Peoples: The Drokpa People of the Himalayas by Paul Hattaway | This sermon delves into the unique traditions and lifestyle of the Drogpa people, who live in a fruitful yet isolated area, practicing ancient customs and idol worship. Despite the |
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(1 Timothy) Church and the Truth by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a surf movie called "Noah's Ark" that he recently watched. The movie tells the story of professional surfers who have encountered God and ex |
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Homily 10 by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome preaches in Tripolis about the dangers of ignorance and error, highlighting the difference between those who worship idols and those who worship the one true God. H |
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Against the Heathen by St. Athanasius | Athanasius preaches against idolatry, highlighting the inconsistency and godlessness of worshipping images and false gods. He questions the rationale behind attributing divine attr |
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Idolatry by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot, in his sermon 'The History of an Idol, its Rise, Reign and Progress,' delves into the deep-rooted sin of idolatry in the human heart, tracing its prevalence from anci |
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Psalms 135:15 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the danger of false concepts of worship, illustrating how people often create idols that reflect their own desires and intellect rather than worshiping the t |
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Exposition on Psalm 48 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the significance of the Church of Christ as the firmament, symbolizing strength and resistance to worldly temptations. He emphasizes the importance of pra |







