Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 17:8
And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
8. the work of his hands that which his fingers have made ] phrases used of idols in ch. Isa 2:8; Isa 2:20, Isa 31:7.
the altars either the groves or the images ] These words overburden the rhythm of the verse and are probably explanatory glosses. An allusion to the brazen-altar of Ahaz (2Ki 16:10-13) is far-fetched, even if not absolutely excluded by the date. The two last-mentioned objects are never referred to elsewhere by Isaiah.
the groves ] R.V., rightly, the Asherim. The Ashrah or Sacred Pole was an emblem of divinity which seems to have stood regularly by the side of the altar in a Canaanitish sanctuary (Jdg 6:13; Jdg 6:25; Deu 16:21; 2Ki 18:4, &c.). It is regarded by some as an artificial survival of the sacred tree, under which the altar stood; by others as the symbol (or image) of a goddess of the same name. Whether a goddess Ashrah was actually worshipped is a much controverted point; if so, she was probably nothing more than an impersonation of the material symbol here referred to. (See Robertson Smith, Relig. of the Semites, Revd. Ed. pp. 187 ff.)
images ] probably sun-pillars: R.V. “sun-images.” The word ( ammnm, pl.) only occurs in ch. Isa 27:9; 2Ch 14:5; 2Ch 34:4 ; 2Ch 34:7; Eze 6:4; Eze 6:6; Lev 26:30. It seems to be connected with Baal-ammn, a Phnician deity (best known from the Carthaginian inscriptions) whose name appears to designate him as “Lord of the sun’s heat,” (cf. the Hebrew ammh used in poetry of the sun: Psa 19:6; Job 30:28; Son 6:10; Isa 24:23; Isa 30:26). The “sun-pillars” were probably emblems of this deity.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And he shall not look to the altars – That is, the altars of the gods which the Syrians worshipped, and the altars of the false gods which had been erected in the land of Israel or Samaria by its wicked kings, and particularly by Ahaz. Ahaz fancied an altar which he saw at Damascus when on a visit to Tiglath-pileser, and ordered Urijah the priest to construct one like it in Samaria, on which he subsequently offered sacrifice 2Ki 16:10-13. It is well known, also, that the kings of Israel and Judah often reared altars to false gods in the high places and the groves of the land (see 2Ki 21:3-5). The Ephraimites were particularly guilty in this respect Hos 8:11 : Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
Which his fingers have made – Perhaps indicating that the idols which they worshipped had been constructed with special art and skill (see Isa 2:8).
Either the groves – The altars of idols were usually erected in groves, and idols were worshipped there before temples were raised (see Exo 34:13; Deu 7:5; Deu 12:3; Jdg 3:7; 1Ki 14:23; 1Ki 18:19; 2Ch 33:3; compare the notes at Isa 1:29).
Or the images – Margin, Sun images ( chamanym). This word is used to denote idols in general in Lev 26:30; 2Ch 24:4. But it is supposed to denote properly images erected to the sun, and to be derived from chamah, the sun. Thus the word is used in Job 30:28; Isa 24:23; Isa 30:26; Son 6:10. The word, according to Gesenius, is of Persian origin (Commentary in loc.) The sun was undoubtedly worshipped by the ancient idolaters, and altars or images would be erected to it (see the notes at Job 31:26).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. The altars, the work of his hands – “The altars dedicated to the work of his hands”] The construction of the words, and the meaning of the sentence, in this place are not obvious; all the ancient Versions, and most of the modern, have mistaken it. The word maaseh, “the work,” stands in regimine with mizbechoth, “altars,” not in opposition to it; it means the, altars of the work of their hand; that is of the idols, which are the work of their hands. Thus Kimchi has explained it, and Le Clerc has followed him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not look to the altars; not resort or trust to them, or to the worship offered to idols upon them.
The work of his hands; their own inventions; for otherwise the altars made by Gods command were the work of mens hands. The groves, which were devised and planted by men, as fit places for the worship of their gods; and therefore were forbidden, Deu 16:21; 1Ki 14:15. The images, worshipped in their groves. The word properly signifies images of the sun, either having the form and shape of the sun, or at least erected to his honour and worship; of which see Deu 4:19; 17:3; 2Ki 23:5,11; Jer 8:2; 7:18; 44:17,18.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. grovesA symbolical tree isoften found in Assyrian inscriptions, representing the hosts ofheaven (“Saba”), answering to Ashteroth or Astarte, thequeen of heaven, as Baal or Bel is the king. Hence the expression,”image of the grove,” is explained (2Ki21:7).
imagesliterally,”images to the sun,” that is, to Baal, who answers to thesun, as Astarte to the hosts of heaven (2Ki 23:5;Job 31:26).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he shall not took to the altars, the work of his hands,…. That is, to altars erected to the worship of idols, which are both the works of men’s hands, so as to serve at them, and sacrifice upon them. Kimchi observes, that the latter clause is not to be understood as belonging to the former, but as distinct from it, and signifies idols which men have made; otherwise all altars, even the altars of God, were the works of men, which yet it was right to look unto, and offer sacrifice upon; but idol altars, and idols themselves, are here meant: and a good man will not look unto his good works as altars to atone for sin; he knows that nothing that a creature can do can expiate sin; that his best works are such as are due to God, and therefore can never atone for past crimes; that Jesus Christ is only the altar, sacrifice, and priest, to whom he looks for, and from whom he receives the atonement:
neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves or the images; both might be said to be made by the fingers of men, the former being planted, and, the latter carved and fashioned by them; whether by groves are meant clusters of trees, where idols and altars were placed, or medals struck with such a representation on them, and also whatever images are here designed: the word signifies sun images, images made to represent the sun, or for the honour and worship of it. Aben Ezra says they were images made according to the likeness of chariots for the sun. The Targum renders it “temples”, such as were dedicated to the sun; though some understand by it sunny places, where their idols were set and sunburnt, as distinct from shady groves. Good men will not took to their own works, what their fingers have wrought, as groves to shelter them from divine wrath and vengeance, or as idols to bow down to, trust in, and depend upon for salvation; but reject them, and look to Christ only.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. And he shall not look to the altars. This contrast shews more clearly that the looking which he spoke of in the former verse relates strictly to hope and confidence, for he says that every kind of sinful confidence will vanish away when men have learned to hope in God; and indeed in no other manner can any one obtain clear views of God than by driving far from him all superstitions. We are thus taught that obstacles of this kind ought to be removed if we wish to approach to God. It is vain to think of making a union between God and idols, as the Papists do, and as the Jews formerly did; for that vice is not peculiar to our age, but has prevailed in all ages. Every obstruction ought therefore to be removed, that we may look to God with such earnestness as to have just and clear views of him, and to put our trust in him.
The work of his hands. It is for the purpose of exciting abhorrence that he calls the false gods the work of their hands, that the Israelites, being ashamed of their folly, may shake off and drive away from them such a disgraceful reproach. On this vice, however, he dwells the more largely, because they were more chargeable with it than with any other, and because none can be more abominable in the sight of God. There were innumerable superstitions among them, and in places without number they had set up both idols and altars, so that Isaiah had good reason for reproving and expostulating with them at great length on account of these crimes.
It might be objected that the altar at Jerusalem was also built by men, and therefore they ought to forsake it in order to approach to God. (Exo 27:1). I reply, that altar was widely different from others, for although it consisted of stone and mortar, silver and gold, and was made like others by the agency of men, yet we ought not to look at the materials or the workmanship, but at God himself who was the maker, for by his command it was built. We ought therefore to consider the essential form, so to speak, which it received from the word of God; other matters ought not to be taken into view, since God alone is the architect. (Exo 20:24; Deu 27:5). Other altars, though they bore some resemblance to it, should be abhorred, because they had not the authority of the word. Such is the estimate which we ought to form of every kind of false worship, whatever appearance of sanctity it may assume; for God cannot approve of anything that is not supported by his word.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The groves or the images.Literally, the Asherah or the sun-images. The former were conical, tree-like pillars which symbolised the worship of a Canaanite goddess, the giver of good fortune. (See Notes on 2Ki. 21:7; 2Ch. 34:3-7.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 17:8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect [that] which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
Ver. 8. And he shall not look to the altars. ] As, having looked before to his Maker with a single eye, with an eye of adamant, that will turn only to one point. See on Hos 14:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the groves = the Asherahs. See App-42. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 34:13. Deu 7:5; Deu 12:3; Deu 16:21). App-79.
images = sun images. Reference to Pentateuch (Lev 26:30); both mentioned again (Isa 27:9).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
he shall: Isa 1:29, Isa 2:18-21, Isa 27:9, Isa 30:22, 2Ch 34:6, 2Ch 34:7, Eze 36:25, Hos 14:8, Zep 1:3, Zec 13:2
the work: Isa 2:8, Isa 31:6, Isa 31:7, Isa 44:15, Isa 44:19, Isa 44:20, Hos 8:4-6, Hos 10:1, Hos 10:2, Hos 13:1, Hos 13:2, Mic 5:13, Mic 5:14
images: or, sun-images, 2Ch 14:5, 2Ch 34:4, *marg.
Reciprocal: Isa 10:20 – but shall stay Isa 31:1 – stay on horses Jer 17:2 – their altars Hos 3:1 – look Zec 9:1 – when