Old Testament
Isaiah 44:17
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then from the leftover wood he makes a god — his carved idol. He bows down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, "Save me! You are my god!"
Compare translations
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.
What Isaiah 44:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah highlights the absurdity of idol worship. A person takes leftover wood from a tree, carves it into an idol, and then worships it as if it were a god. This act shows a deep misunderstanding of true divinity, as the worshiper prays to this lifeless object, asking for salvation. The contrast between the creator and the created is stark; the wood is merely a resource, yet the person elevates it to a position of divine authority. This illustrates the folly of placing trust in man-made objects instead of the true God, who is alive and capable of saving. The verse serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of recognizing the true source of power and salvation.
How to apply Isaiah 44:17 to your life
This verse challenges us to examine what we place our trust in. Are there things in our lives that we treat as more important than God? We should focus on worshiping the true God and not allow material possessions or false beliefs to take His place.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 44:17
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 44:17
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 44:17 mean?
Isaiah 44:17 illustrates the foolishness of idol worship by showing how a person takes leftover wood, carves it into an idol, and then prays to it as if it were a god. This highlights the absurdity of trusting in something lifeless instead of the true, living God.
What is the meaning of idol worship in Isaiah 44:17?
In Isaiah 44:17, idol worship refers to the act of creating and revering a man-made object as a deity. The verse emphasizes the misguided belief that these objects can provide salvation, contrasting them with the true power of God.
How does Isaiah 44:17 relate to modern life?
Isaiah 44:17 encourages us to reflect on what we prioritize in our lives. It challenges us to avoid placing our trust in material possessions or false beliefs that can distract us from worshiping the true God.
What themes are present in Isaiah 44:17?
Key themes in Isaiah 44:17 include idolatry, human folly, the contrast between creation and Creator, and the importance of recognizing true divine authority for salvation.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.