Isaiah 17:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They will abandon the idols and false religions they crafted with their own hands.
The Context of Isaiah 17:8
True repentance means abandoning the idols and false religion Israel created.
What Does Isaiah 17:8 Mean?
The turning includes a turning away: from idols and false altars. 'Altars, the work of his hands' speaks to human-made religious structures and idols. 'The groves' (asherim) were sacred poles or wooden shrines associated with Canaanite fertility worship. 'Images' are carved or molded representations of false gods. All are products of human hands—crafted by human skill and human imagination, not given by God.
The contrast is sharp: they will stop looking to what their own fingers made and will look instead to the God who made them. This reversal of sight—from human-made idols back to the living God—is the core of repentance. The judgment that strips away power also strips away the illusion that human hands can craft salvation.
Isaiah 17:8 in the Original Language
ma'aseh (מַעֲשֵׂה), 'work' — crafted product or handiwork, emphasizing human manufacture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 17:8
What does Isaiah 17:8 mean?
They will abandon the idols and false religions they crafted with their own hands.
What is the context of Isaiah 17:8?
True repentance means abandoning the idols and false religion Israel created.