FocusThe LORD's saving purpose
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
interpretation Isaiah 46:5
KJVTo whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Read it in context
Babylon’s Idols
Start reading at Isaiah 46:1 (Isaiah 46:1 to Isaiah 46:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
- 46:1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
- 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
- 46:3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
- 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
- 46:5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
- 46:6 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.
- 46:7 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.
- 46:8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
- 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
- 46:10 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:
- 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
- 46:12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
- 46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 40:1–48:22): The LORD's people, called Jacob and Israel, are addressed with comfort, correction, and the assurance of His power over idols and empires. Babylon and its rulers are also addressed in judgment. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Babylon’s Idols. Read Isaiah 46:1 through Isaiah 46:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Some passages speak toward later restoration; the time pictured in an oracle is not necessarily its composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah and Jerusalem are central, but the oracles address surrounding nations and distant powers as well. The named audience and location vary by oracle. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Babylon’s Idols (Isaiah 46:1 to Isaiah 46:13). Start reading at Isaiah 46:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament explicitly applies passages of Isaiah to Jesus, including the servant passage discussed in Acts 8. Use those links while preserving each oracle's immediate wording and audience. See Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject empty worship that coexists with injustice, and respond to the calls to trust and return. Preserve the named recipients and conditions of particular promises. interpretation
Cited: Isaiah 46:1, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Isaiah the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words.
Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Related passages
- To whom will ye liken me, and make me equ… Isa 40:18,25 Exod 15:11 Ps 86:8 Ps 89:6,8 Ps 113:5 Jer 10:6-7,16 Phil 2:6 Col 1:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 46
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Judah confronted and hope announced
Isaiah 1:1–12:6FocusSin, judgment, and the promised ruler
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation Oracles concerning the nations
Isaiah 13:1–23:18FocusThe LORD's judgment beyond Judah
Connection to the wholeThe series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
interpretation Judgment and deliverance
Isaiah 24:1–27:13FocusThe earth, the people, and renewed worship
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens through visions of judgment, praise, and gathering, linking the LORD's rule with His people's hope.
interpretation Warnings and the way of restoration
Isaiah 28:1–35:10FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeWarnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Hezekiah's crisis
Isaiah 36:1–39:8FocusAssyria, deliverance, and Babylon
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
interpretation FocusThe LORD's saving purpose
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
interpretation The community and the final hope
Isaiah 56:1–66:24FocusRighteousness, worship, and renewal
Connection to the wholeThe closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.