He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

ISAIAH 44:20KJV
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Isaiah 44:20 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:20 mean?

Isaiah 44:20 describes a person who is so deceived by false beliefs that he ends up relying on something worthless, like feeding on ashes, and cannot recognize the lie he holds onto. The verse shows how a misled heart can blind someone to the truth, leaving them unable to save themselves or even question their own error.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to people who worship idols, pointing out the foolishness of trusting in things they themselves have made. Isaiah uses vivid language to show how idolatry leads people away from reality, making them unable to see that what they depend on is empty and false.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:20

  • "feedeth" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word often means to graze or feed, usually used for animals. Here, it paints a picture of someone trying to find nourishment or satisfaction in something as useless as ashes.
  • "ashes" (אֵפֶר, epher): Ashes are what remains after something is burned, symbolizing worthlessness and emptiness. The verse uses this image to show how empty idol worship is.
  • "deceived" (הָתַל, hāthal): This word means to be tricked or led astray. The verse says the heart itself is deceived, showing that the problem is deep and internal.
  • "lie" (שָׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means a falsehood or deception. The person is holding a lie in his right hand, the hand of action and strength, yet cannot see it for what it is.

Why Isaiah 44:20 matters

  • Isaiah 44:20 clears up the idea that idol worship is just an external mistake; it shows the problem is rooted in a deceived heart, making self-delusion possible.
  • The verse emphasizes how spiritual blindness can keep someone from even questioning their beliefs, highlighting the power of self-deception.
  • In the wider passage, Isaiah is exposing the emptiness of idols compared to the living God, urging the people to see the futility of trusting in what they have made themselves.

Where else these words appear

“deceived” Hebrew H2048 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • 1 Kings 18:27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

“ashes” Hebrew H665 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Job 13:12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
  • Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.

“lie” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
  • Psalms 108:6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.