Old Testament
Isaiah 42:8
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God declares His unique identity as the LORD, emphasizing that His name represents His authority and character.
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
I am the LORD; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to carved idols.
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God declares His unique identity as the LORD, emphasizing that His name represents His authority and character. He asserts that He will not share His glory with anyone or anything else, specifically rejecting the idea of worshiping idols or images made by human hands. This statement highlights the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and the futility of placing trust in false gods. The verse serves as a reminder that true worship belongs solely to God, who is deserving of all honor and praise. By stating that He will not give His glory to another, God reinforces the idea that He is the ultimate source of power and majesty, and that any attempt to elevate created things to a divine status is misguided. This call to exclusive devotion challenges believers to examine their own lives for any idols that may compete with their loyalty to God.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Isaiah 42:8 to your life
This verse encourages us to evaluate what we prioritize in our lives. Are there things we value more than our relationship with God? We should strive to worship Him alone and avoid letting anything else take His place in our hearts. True fulfillment comes from honoring God above all.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 42:8 mean?
Isaiah 42:8 means that God is asserting His unique identity as the LORD and declaring that He will not share His glory or praise with anyone or anything else, particularly idols. This emphasizes the importance of worshiping God alone and recognizing His sovereignty.
What is the meaning of 'my glory will I not give to another' in Isaiah 42:8?
The phrase 'my glory will I not give to another' in Isaiah 42:8 signifies that God alone deserves honor and recognition. It highlights that no other being or object can compare to His greatness, and worship should be directed solely to Him.
How does Isaiah 42:8 relate to idolatry?
Isaiah 42:8 directly addresses idolatry by stating that God will not share His glory with carved idols. It serves as a reminder to avoid placing trust in anything other than God, as such practices are futile and disrespectful to His sovereignty.
What themes are present in Isaiah 42:8?
The themes present in Isaiah 42:8 include God's sovereignty, the exclusivity of worship to Him, the rejection of idolatry, and the importance of recognizing His divine glory and authority.

The Book of Isaiah
Isaiah 41: Fear Not, I Am With You
The LORD calls the nations to keep silence before him and to renew their strength. He asks who raises up the righteous man from the east and gives nations before him, making him rule over kings. He says he gives them as dust to his sword and as driven stubble to his bow, and he declares he is the first and with the last.
Unlock the full Isaiah summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Isaiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 66 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Isaiah summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.