Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion. New Living Translation See, they are all foolish, worthless things. All your idols are as empty as the wind. English Standard Version Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind. Berean Standard Bible See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. King James Bible Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. New King James Version Indeed they are all worthless; Their works are nothing; Their molded images are wind and confusion. New American Standard Bible “Behold, all of them are false; Their works are nothing, Their cast metal images are wind and emptiness. NASB 1995 “Behold, all of them are false; Their works are worthless, Their molten images are wind and emptiness. NASB 1977 “Behold, all of them are false; Their works are worthless, Their molten images are wind and emptiness. Legacy Standard Bible Behold, all of them are false; Their works are non-existent; Their molten images are wind and utter formlessness. Amplified Bible “In fact, all of these [pagan prophets and priests] are false; Their works are worthless, Their cast images are [merely] wind and emptiness. Christian Standard Bible Look, all of them are a delusion; their works are nonexistent; their images are wind and emptiness. Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, all of them are a delusion; their works are nonexistent; their images are wind and emptiness.” American Standard Version Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought; their molten images are wind and confusion. Contemporary English Version They are nothing, and they can do nothing--they are merely a passing breeze. English Revised Version Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought: their molten images are wind and confusion. GOD'S WORD® Translation All of them are nothing. They can't do anything. Their statues are nothing but air." Good News Translation All these gods are useless; they can do nothing at all--these idols are weak and powerless." International Standard Version See, none of them exist, and their deeds are nothing. Their metal images are only wind and confusion.'" NET Bible Look, all of them are nothing, their accomplishments are nonexistent; their metal images lack any real substance. New Heart English Bible Look, all of them, their works are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion. Webster's Bible Translation Behold, they are all vanity, their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSee, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. World English Bible Behold, all of their deeds are vanity and nothing. Their molten images are wind and confusion. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Behold, all of them [are] vanity, "" Their works [are] nothing, "" Their molten images [are] wind and emptiness!” Young's Literal Translation Lo, all of them are vanity, Nought are their works, Wind and emptiness their molten images!' Smith's Literal Translation Behold, all of them, nothing; their works are no more: wind and emptiness are their libations. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold they are all in the wrong, and their works are vain: their idols are wind and vanity. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, they are all unjust, and their works are empty. Their idols are wind and emptiness. New American Bible Ah, all of them are nothing, their works are nought, their idols, empty wind! New Revised Standard Version No, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their images are empty wind. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, they are all nothing; their works are vanity; their images are wind and vanity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, they are all nothing and their works worthless, and their works are empty wind OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, all of them, Their works are vanity and nought; Their molten images are wind and confusion. Brenton Septuagint Translation For these are your makers, as ye think, and they that cause you to err in vain. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Meaningless Idols…28When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say. 29See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. Cross References Jeremiah 10:14-15 Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish. Habakkuk 2:18-19 What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... Psalm 135:15-18 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ... 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. 1 Kings 18:26-29 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... Jeremiah 2:11 Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. Jeremiah 16:19-20 O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. / Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!” Isaiah 44:9-20 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... Isaiah 46:5-7 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. Deuteronomy 4:28 And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. Acts 17:29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Treasury of Scripture Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. they are all Isaiah 41:24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. Isaiah 44:9-20 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed… Psalm 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands… wind Jeremiah 5:13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Jump to Previous Amount Confusion Deeds Delusion Emptiness Empty Images Metal Molten Nought Value Vanity Wind Works WorthlessJump to Next Amount Confusion Deeds Delusion Emptiness Empty Images Metal Molten Nought Value Vanity Wind Works WorthlessIsaiah 41 1. God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.10. About his promises 21. And about the vanity of idols. See, they are all a delusion; This phrase addresses the futility of idol worship and the false gods that the nations around Israel revered. In the context of Isaiah, God is contrasting His power and sovereignty with the impotence of idols. The term "delusion" suggests deception and falsehood, indicating that these idols cannot deliver what they promise. This echoes the broader biblical theme found in passages like Psalm 115:4-8, where idols are described as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing. The prophetic literature often highlights the foolishness of trusting in man-made objects rather than the living God. their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. Idols In the context of Isaiah 41, idols refer to the false gods and images worshiped by the nations surrounding Israel. These idols are depicted as powerless and ineffective. 3. Israel The nation chosen by God, often addressed in Isaiah as God's servant. In this chapter, God reassures Israel of His power and sovereignty over the nations and their idols. 4. Nations The surrounding nations that worship idols and oppose Israel. They are often depicted as being in contrast to the one true God of Israel. 5. God The central figure in Isaiah 41, God is portrayed as the only true and powerful deity, in stark contrast to the impotent idols of the nations. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdols, whether physical or metaphorical, cannot provide the security or fulfillment that only God can offer. Believers are called to examine their lives for modern-day idols that may distract from true worship. God's Sovereignty Isaiah 41:29 emphasizes God's ultimate power and authority over all creation. Trusting in God rather than in human-made solutions or idols is a central tenet of faith. The Deceptive Nature of Idols Idols promise much but deliver nothing. This serves as a warning to discern truth from deception in spiritual matters. The Call to Faithfulness In a world full of distractions and false promises, believers are encouraged to remain faithful to God, who is the only source of true power and hope. The Assurance of God's Presence Despite the emptiness of idols, God assures His people of His presence and support, encouraging them to rely on Him alone. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 41:29?2. How does Isaiah 41:29 reveal the futility of idol worship in our lives? 3. What does Isaiah 41:29 teach about discerning truth from falsehood today? 4. How can we apply Isaiah 41:29 to identify modern-day "empty wind" influences? 5. How does Isaiah 41:29 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 6. In what ways can Isaiah 41:29 strengthen our reliance on God's truth? 7. How does Isaiah 41:29 challenge the validity of idols in religious practices? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 41:29? 9. How does Isaiah 41:29 reflect God's view on false gods? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 41? 11. What are the names of Jesus Christ? 12. Isaiah 29:14 proclaims a 'marvelous work' nullifying human wisdom; is there verifiable evidence or historical fulfillment supporting this claim? 13. Mark 12:13-17: If Jesus endorses paying taxes to an oppressive regime, how does that square with calls for justice elsewhere in Scripture? 14. If God wants to protect His people, why does He allow the righteous to suffer at the hands of the wicked? What Does Isaiah 41:29 Mean See, they are all a delusionIsaiah exposes the utter emptiness of the idols the nations trust. • God invites His people to “see,” to look with clear eyes at the idols’ inability to act or speak (cf. Psalm 115:4–8; 1 Kings 18:26–29). • In contrast, the LORD has already demonstrated His power and faithfulness by foretelling history (Isaiah 41:22–23) and upholding His servant Israel (Isaiah 41:10). • The phrase underscores that anything worshiped in place of the one true God is deception. Paul echoes this when he writes that gentiles “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). their works amount to nothing Idols not only deceive; they achieve nothing. • Repeatedly Scripture testifies that idols cannot create, save, or even move (Jeremiah 10:5; Psalm 135:15–18). • In Isaiah’s immediate context, the false gods of Babylon will prove powerless when Cyrus rises (Isaiah 45:1–7). • The contrast is stark: while the idols’ works are zero, the LORD’s works fill history—from creation (Genesis 1:1) to redemption (John 19:30) to future restoration (Revelation 21:5). their images are as empty as the wind The physical representations—carved wood, cast metal—carry no life. • “Empty as the wind” pictures absolute lack of substance; Job uses similar language when he calls his comforters “worthless physicians” (Job 13:4). • Jesus warns that demonic forces can exploit spiritual emptiness (Matthew 12:43–45), showing that idolatry opens the door to spiritual harm, not help. • For believers, the call is to flee idols (1 Corinthians 10:14) and be filled instead with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), the true breath of God. summary Isaiah 41:29 declares that idols are deceptive, powerless, and hollow; only the LORD speaks truth, performs mighty works, and fills His people with life. Turning from every modern form of idolatry to trust Him alone brings the security and hope the prophet promises throughout the chapter. (29) They are all . . . their works . . .--The first pronoun refers to the idols themselves, the second to the idolaters who make them. In "confusion" we have the familiar tohu.
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