Isaiah 41:7
New International Version
The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding, “It is good.” The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.

New Living Translation
The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. “Good,” they say. “It’s coming along fine.” Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won’t fall over.

English Standard Version
The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.

Berean Standard Bible
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled.

King James Bible
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

New King James Version
So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter.

New American Standard Bible
So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.

NASB 1995
So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good"; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.

NASB 1977
So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he fastens it with nails, That it should not totter.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the craftsman strengthens the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer strengthens him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good”; And he strengthens it with nails, So that it will not be shaken.

Amplified Bible
So the craftsman encourages the goldsmith, And he who smooths metal with the smith’s hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering (welding), “That is good”; And he fastens the idol with nails, So that it will not totter nor be moved.

Christian Standard Bible
The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who flattens with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good.” He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who flattens with the hammer supports the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good.” He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over.

American Standard Version
So the carpenter encourageth the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good; and he fasteneth it with nails, that is should not be moved.

Contemporary English Version
Woodcarvers, goldsmiths, and other workers encourage one another and say, "We've done a great job!" Then they nail the idol down, so it won't fall over.

English Revised Version
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering, It is good: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Craftsmen encourage goldsmiths. Metalsmiths encourage blacksmiths who work at their anvils. They say that their soldering is good. And they fasten things with nails so they won't move.

Good News Translation
The carpenter says to the goldsmith, 'Well done!' The one who beats the idol smooth encourages the one who nails it together. They say, 'The soldering is good'--and they fasten the idol in place with nails.

International Standard Version
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and the hammersmith encourages the one who strikes the anvil. He says about the welding, 'It's good!' and he reinforces it with nails so that it won't topple."

Majority Standard Bible
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, ?It is good.? He nails it down so it will not be toppled.

NET Bible
The craftsman encourages the metalsmith, the one who wields the hammer encourages the one who pounds on the anvil. He approves the quality of the welding, and nails it down so it won't fall over."

New Heart English Bible
So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smoothes with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, "It is good;" and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter.

Webster's Bible Translation
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

World English Bible
So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good;” and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And an artisan strengthens the refiner, "" A smoother [with] a hammer, "" Him who is beating [on] an anvil, saying, “For joining it [is] good,” "" And he strengthens it with nails, it is not moved!

Young's Literal Translation
And strengthen doth an artisan the refiner, A smoother with a hammer, Him who is beating on an anvil, Saying, 'For joining it is good,' And he strengtheneth it with nails, it is not moved!

Smith's Literal Translation
And the artificer will strengthen the founder, he making smooth with the hammer, he beating the anvil, saying, It is good for the welding; he will strengthen it with nails; it shall not totter.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The coppersmith striking with the hammer encouraged him that forged at that time, saying: It is ready for soldering: and he strengthened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The coppersmith striking with the mallet encouraged him who was forging at that time, saying, “It is ready for soldering.” And he strengthened it with nails, so that it would not be moved.

New American Bible
The woodworker encourages the goldsmith, the one who beats with the hammer, him who strikes on the anvil, Saying of the soldering, “It is good!” then fastening it with nails so it will not totter.

New Revised Standard Version
The artisan encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The carpenter encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering; and they fasten it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Carpenter gave heart to the Goldsmith who strikes with a hammer and labors, and says to him who proves what is excellent, “There it is”, and they fasten it with nails that it will not be moved
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, And he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, Saying of the soldering: 'It is good'; And he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The artificer has become strong, and the coppersmith that smites with the hammer, and forges also: sometimes he will say, It is a piece well joined: they have fastened them with nails; they will fix them, and they shall not be moved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Help to Israel
6Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!” 7The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled. 8“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—…

Cross References
Exodus 32:4
He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”

Jeremiah 10:3-4
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter.

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.”

1 Kings 12:28
After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

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; ...

Isaiah 44:12-13
The blacksmith takes a tool and labors over the coals; he fashions an idol with hammers and forges it with his strong arms. Yet he grows hungry and loses his strength; he fails to drink water and grows faint. / The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.

Isaiah 46:6-7
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.

Hosea 8:6
For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

Jeremiah 1:16
I will pronounce My judgments against them for all their wickedness, because they have forsaken Me, and they have burned incense to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.

1 Corinthians 8:4
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.

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 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

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.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God


Treasury of Scripture

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smoothes with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

the carpenter

Isaiah 40:19
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

Isaiah 44:12-15
The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint…

Isaiah 46:6,7
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship…

goldsmith.

Isaiah 40:20
He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

Isaiah 46:7
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

Judges 18:17,18,24
And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war…

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Artizan Beating Beats Carpenter Craftsman Encouraged Encourages Fasten Fastened Fastens Founder Goldsmith Gold-Worker Good Hammer Heart Idol Iron-Worker Kind Metal Metal-Worker Moved Nails Ready Refiner Slipping Smelter Smiteth Smooth Smoother Smote Spurs Strengthen Strikes Together Totter Words
Isaiah 41
1. God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.
10. About his promises
21. And about the vanity of idols.














The craftsman
The Hebrew word for "craftsman" is "ḥārāš," which refers to a skilled worker or artisan. In the context of ancient Israel, craftsmen were highly valued for their ability to create objects of utility and beauty. This phrase highlights the collaborative nature of work and the importance of each person's role in the creation process. Spiritually, it can be seen as a metaphor for the body of Christ, where each member has a unique and vital role to play.

encourages
The Hebrew root "ḥāzaq" means to strengthen, support, or encourage. This word emphasizes the importance of mutual support and encouragement among those working towards a common goal. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the Christian duty to uplift and edify one another in faith, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

the goldsmith
The term "ṣōrēp" refers to a refiner or goldsmith, someone who works with precious metals. Goldsmiths were essential in ancient societies for creating items of both practical and ceremonial significance. This phrase can symbolize the refining process of faith, where believers are purified and shaped by God, much like gold is refined by fire.

and he who smooths with the hammer
This phrase describes the process of shaping and refining metal. The Hebrew word "ḥālaq" means to smooth or polish. It signifies the meticulous care and effort required to perfect a creation. Spiritually, it can represent the sanctification process, where believers are gradually shaped into the image of Christ through trials and divine intervention.

spurs on him who strikes the anvil
The imagery of striking the anvil suggests hard work and perseverance. The Hebrew word "ʿārāṣ" means to encourage or urge on. This phrase underscores the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of challenges. It serves as a reminder that spiritual growth often requires effort and endurance.

He says of the welding, 'It is good.'
The declaration "It is good" echoes the language of creation in Genesis, where God saw that His creation was good. The Hebrew word "ṭôb" means good, pleasant, or agreeable. This phrase can be seen as an affirmation of the value and purpose of the work being done, both in a literal and spiritual sense. It reminds believers that their efforts, when aligned with God's will, are inherently good and purposeful.

He nails it down so it will not be toppled
The act of securing the creation so it will not topple signifies stability and permanence. The Hebrew word "tāqaʿ" means to drive in or fasten. This phrase can be interpreted as a call to build one's life on a firm foundation, as Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27. It emphasizes the importance of grounding one's faith and actions in the truth of God's Word to withstand the trials of life.

(7) So the carpenter.--The process is described even more vividly than in Isaiah 40:19. For "the carpenter," read the caster, the idol being a metal one. The image of lead or copper is then covered with gold plates, which are laid on the anvil, and are smoothed with the hammer; the soldering is approved by the artist, and then (supreme touch of irony) the guardian deity is fixed with nails, that it may not totter and fall.

Verse 7. - The carpenter, etc. (comp. Isaiah 40:19, 20 for the variety of workmen employed in the production of idols). Each encourages the others to manufacture a right good god. When all is done, there is, however, need of soldering, and of nails, that the wretched object may be kept erect, and not show its weakness by falling, like Dagon, upon its own threshold (1 Samuel 5:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The craftsman
חָרָשׁ֙ (ḥā·rāš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2796: A fabricator, any material

encourages
וַיְחַזֵּ֤ק (way·ḥaz·zêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the goldsmith,
צֹרֵ֔ף (ṣō·rêp̄)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test

[and] he who wields
מַחֲלִ֥יק (ma·ḥă·lîq)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

the hammer
פַּטִּ֖ישׁ (paṭ·ṭîš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6360: A forge hammer

[cheers] him who strikes
ה֣וֹלֶם (hō·w·lem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1986: To strike down, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband

the anvil,
פָּ֑עַם (pā·‘am)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

saying
אֹמֵ֤ר (’ō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of the soldering,
לַדֶּ֙בֶק֙ (lad·de·ḇeq)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1694: A joining, soldering, appendage

“It
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is good.”
ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

He nails it down
וַיְחַזְּקֵ֥הוּ (way·ḥaz·zə·qê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

so it will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be toppled.
יִמּֽוֹט׃ (yim·mō·wṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4131: To waver, to slip, shake, fall


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 41:6
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