They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

ISAIAH 45:16KJV
Know the Bible

Isaiah 45:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 45:16 mean?

Isaiah 45:16 says that those who make idols will face shame and humiliation. In the setting of the passage, their work stands in contrast to the God who reveals himself and saves Israel. The verse portrays the makers as a group sharing the same outcome.

The words “go to confusion together” picture the idol makers going away in disgrace. After the description of God as one who hides himself in verse 15, verse 16 turns attention to the people who make visible images for worship.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 45:16

  • “confounded” — כָּלַם (kalam): This word carries the sense of being humiliated or put to shame. Alongside “ashamed,” it adds force to the picture of public disgrace.
  • “idols” — צִיר (tsir): The word here refers to images or forms. In this verse, the makers produce physical objects associated with worship.

Why Isaiah 45:16 matters

  • The contrast is between two groups with different outcomes. Verse 16 describes the idol makers’ disgrace, while verse 17 says Israel will be saved by the Lord and will not be ashamed.
  • The verse places the makers, not merely their products, at the center. The phrase “makers of idols” directs attention to the people behind the images.

Where else these words appear

“idols” Hebrew H6736 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 49:14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

“confusion” Hebrew H3639 · used in 29 verses

  • Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
  • Ezekiel 32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

“makers” Hebrew H2796 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
  • Isaiah 44:12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

“confounded” Hebrew H3637 · used in 38 verses

  • Numbers 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
  • Job 19:3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
  • Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.