And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.

ISAIAH 17:8KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 17:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 17:8 mean?

Isaiah 17:8 says that people will stop turning to the altars and idols they made themselves, no longer giving attention or honor to the things they crafted, like sacred groves or images. The verse describes a time when people will no longer rely on or respect their own handmade objects of worship.

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel and Damascus, warning them about coming judgment and change. In this verse, Isaiah points out that after facing consequences, the people will abandon their old religious practices and the idols they created, recognizing that these things cannot help them. The verse highlights a shift away from man-made religion toward something different.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 17:8

  • The word "look" (שָׁעָה, sha'ah) means to pay attention to or turn toward, showing that the people will deliberately stop focusing on these objects.
  • "Altars" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) refers to places of sacrifice, often used for worshiping other gods, not just the God of Israel.
  • "Groves" (אֲשֵׁרָה, asherah) points to wooden poles or trees set up as symbols of the goddess Asherah, a common form of idol worship in ancient Israel.
  • "Images" (חַמָּן, chamman) means sun-pillars or images, often associated with pagan worship practices.

Why Isaiah 17:8 matters

  • Isaiah 17:8 clarifies that the problem was not just idol worship in general, but specifically trusting in things people made with their own hands, showing the emptiness of self-made religion.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that judgment leads to a turning point, where people realize the futility of their former ways and stop honoring false gods.
  • Understanding the specific words for "groves" and "images" helps modern readers see how deeply rooted and specific these ancient worship practices were, making the rejection of them more significant.

Where else these words appear

“images” Hebrew H2553 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
  • Isaiah 27:9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

“look” Hebrew H8159 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Job 7:19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

“fingers” Hebrew H676 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Leviticus 9:9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
  • Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

“groves” Hebrew H842 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 1 Kings 18:19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:16 And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.