Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

ISAIAH 44:15KJV
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Isaiah 44:15 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:15 mean?

Isaiah 44:15 describes how a person uses wood for ordinary, practical things like burning it for warmth and baking bread, but then takes part of the same wood to make an idol and worship it. The verse highlights the irony and foolishness of treating the same material as both common fuel and a sacred object.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel, pointing out the absurdity of idol-making. Isaiah is showing how people take a piece of wood, use some for daily needs, and then fashion the rest into a "god" (idol) to bow down to, exposing the emptiness of worshipping something made by human hands.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:15

  • The word for "man" is אָדָם (’adam), which often refers to a human being in general, emphasizing the everyday, ordinary person involved in this act.
  • "Burn" comes from בָּעַר (ba‘ar), meaning to consume by fire, stressing that the wood is used up for simple, practical purposes.
  • "Maketh a god" uses אֵל (’el), a common Hebrew word for "god," which here is used ironically to show that what is worshipped is just a piece of wood.
  • "Graven image" is פֶּסֶל (pesel), meaning a carved idol, highlighting that the object of worship is something shaped by human effort, not something divine.

Why Isaiah 44:15 matters

  • Isaiah 44:15 clears up the misunderstanding that idols have any real power or divinity, showing they are just objects made from the same materials used for everyday tasks.
  • The verse emphasizes the prophet’s message that worshipping idols is not only pointless but also illogical, since the same wood is used for both mundane and "sacred" purposes.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Isaiah is challenging the people to see the difference between the living God and lifeless idols, urging them to recognize the folly of idolatry.

Where else these words appear

“kindleth” Hebrew H5400 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
  • Ezekiel 39:9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

“down” Hebrew H5456 · used in 4 verses

  • Isaiah 44:17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
  • Isaiah 44:19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
  • Isaiah 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.

“warm” Hebrew H2552 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
  • Job 31:20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
  • Isaiah 44:16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

“baketh” Hebrew H644 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Genesis 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
  • Leviticus 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.