They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

ISAIAH 46:2KJV
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Isaiah 46:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 46:2 mean?

Isaiah 46:2 says that the idols of Babylon, which people carried around and worshipped, have collapsed and cannot save anyone; instead, both the idols and those who trusted in them are taken away as captives. The verse shows that these false gods are powerless to help, even their own followers.

In this passage, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel about the downfall of Babylon and its gods. The setting is a warning against trusting in idols, as the Babylonians themselves will be defeated and their gods will be unable to protect them. The verse uses the image of idols stooping and bowing under a burden, showing their helplessness and the futility of relying on them for deliverance.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 46:2

  • "stoop" (כָּרַע, karaʿ): This word often means to bend down or collapse, and here it pictures the idols as if they are physically buckling under a load, emphasizing their weakness.
  • "burden" (מַשָּׂא, massaʾ): This refers to a heavy load, and in this context, it highlights that the idols cannot even carry their own weight, let alone help anyone else.
  • "captivity" (שְׁבִי, shevi): This word means being taken away as prisoners, showing that both the idols and their worshippers are powerless and end up in exile together.

Why Isaiah 46:2 matters

  • Isaiah 46:2 clears up the idea that idols or false gods have real power; it shows they are just objects that can be carried off and cannot save anyone.
  • The verse highlights the contrast between the living God of Israel and the powerless idols of Babylon, which is a major theme in this section of Isaiah.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger message in Isaiah 46, where God promises to save His people while exposing the emptiness of trusting in anything else.

Where else these words appear

“stoop” Hebrew H7164 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 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.

“down” Hebrew H3766 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
  • Psalms 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
  • Isaiah 22:25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.