Isaiah 44:20 Meaning and Explanation
“He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The idolater feeds on spiritual emptiness; deception keeps him from acknowledging the lie he holds.
The Context of Isaiah 44:20
Idolatry ends in self-deception so profound the idolater cannot even acknowledge his own error.
What Does Isaiah 44:20 Mean?
'Feedeth on ashes' is stark deprivation—ashes have no nourishment, are the residue of fire. Spiritually, the idolater consumes nothing, gains nothing, is sustained by emptiness. This metaphor inverts the earlier warmth and food: here, the end result of idolatry is hollow.
'A deceived heart hath turned him aside' explains the persistent blindness. Deception is self-perpetuating; it turns the person away from truth. 'That he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?' captures the tragedy: he cannot save himself, cannot even name the falsehood he clings to, bound by the lie he holds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 44:20
What does Isaiah 44:20 mean?
The idolater feeds on spiritual emptiness; deception keeps him from acknowledging the lie he holds.
What is the context of Isaiah 44:20?
Idolatry ends in self-deception so profound the idolater cannot even acknowledge his own error.