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Good News Translation

Isaiah 44:14

He might cut down cedars to use, or choose oak or cypress wood from the forest. Or he might plant a laurel tree and wait for the rain to make it grow.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ash;   Carving;   Cypress;   Holm;   Idol;   Idolatry;   Thompson Chain Reference - Agriculture;   Agriculture-Horticulture;   Forests;   Trees;   The Topic Concordance - Idolatry;   Knowledge;   Understanding;   Worship;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Agriculture or Husbandry;   Cedar, the;   Forests;   Idolatry;   Oak-Tree, the;   Trees;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Cypress;   Oak;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Idol, idolatry;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Idol, Idolatry;   Religion;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ash;   Carve;   Cedar;   Cypress;   Forest;   Graving;   Idol;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ash;   Cedar;   Cypress;   Idol;   Worshipper;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ash;   Exile;   Fuel;   God;   Holm Tree;   Idol;   Isaiah;   Life;   Plants in the Bible;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Cedar;   Coal;   Cypress;   Election;   Fir;   Fuel;   Games;   Micah, Book of;   Oak;   Righteousness;   Servant of the Lord;   Water;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Wisdom of Solomon;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ash;   Cedar;   Cypress;   Idolatry;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Nebuchadnezzar;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Cedar;   Cypress;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ash;   Cypress;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Ash (tree);   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Cypress;   Oak;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ash (1);   Cedar;   Holm-Tree;   Idolatry;   Jeremy, the Epistle of;   Nourish;   Oak;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ash;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cypress;   Fuel;   Jeremiah, Epistle of;   Judaism;   Names of God;   Oak and Terebinth;   Small and Large Letters;   Wisdom of Solomon, Book of the;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He cuts down cedars for his use,or he takes a cypress or an oak.He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
Hebrew Names Version
He cuts down cedars for himself, and takes the cypress and the oak, and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest: he plants a fir tree, and the rain nourishes it.
King James Version
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
English Standard Version
He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
New American Standard Bible
He will cut cedars for himself, and he takes a holm-oak or another oak and lets it grow strong for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel tree, and the rain makes it grow.
New Century Version
He cuts down cedars or cypress or oak trees. Those trees grew by their own power in the forest. Or he plants a pine tree, and the rain makes it grow.
Amplified Bible
He cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and lets it grow strong for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain nourishes it.
World English Bible
He cuts down cedars for himself, and takes the cypress and the oak, and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest: he plants a fir tree, and the rain nourishes it.
Geneva Bible (1587)
He will hewe him downe cedars, and take the pine tree and the oke, and taketh courage among the trees of the forest: he planteth a firre tree, and the raine doeth nourish it.
Legacy Standard Bible
In order to cut cedars for himself, he takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow.
Berean Standard Bible
He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
Contemporary English Version
Either cedar, cypress, oak, or any tree from the forest may be chosen. Or even a pine tree planted by the woodcarver and watered by the rain.
Complete Jewish Bible
He goes to chop down cedars; he takes an evergreen and an oak; he especially tends one tree in the forest, plants a pine for the rain to nourish.
Darby Translation
When he heweth him down cedars, he taketh also a holm-oak and a terebinth—he chooseth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth a pine, and the rain maketh [it] grow.
Easy-to-Read Version
To split the cedar tree, the worker took some oak or cypress wedges . To make sure he had plenty of wood, he planted some pines. But it was the rain that made them grow.
George Lamsa Translation
Then he makes it to stand in the house, a piece of wood which was cut down out of the forest, something which the rain has nourished,
Lexham English Bible
Cutting down cedars for himself, he chooses a holm tree and an oak, and he lets it grow strong for him among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar, and the rain makes it grow.
Literal Translation
He cuts down cedars and takes cypress and oak, and he makes the trees of the forest strong for him. He plants a tree, and rain makes it grow.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Morouer, he goeth out to hewe downe Cedre trees: He bringeth home Elmes and okes, and other tymbre of the wodd. Or els the Fyrre trees which he planted himself, ad soch as the rayne hath swelled,
American Standard Version
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the holm-tree and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth a fir-tree, and the rain doth nourish it.
Bible in Basic English
He has cedars cut down for himself, he takes an oak and lets it get strong among the trees of the wood; he has an ash-tree planted, and the rain gives it growth.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the ilex and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest; he planteth a bay-tree, and the rain doth nourish it.
King James Version (1611)
He heweth him downe cedars, and taketh the Cypresse and the Oke, which he strengthneth for himselfe among the trees of the forrest: he planteth an Ashe, and the raine doth nourish it.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Moreouer, he goeth out to hewe Cedar trees, he bringeth home Elmes and Okes, and taking a bolde courage, he seeketh out the best timber of the wood: he him selfe hath planted a Pine tree, whiche the rayne hath swelled,
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He cuts wood out of the forest, which the Lord planted, even a pine tree, and the rain made it grow,
English Revised Version
He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the holm tree and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest: he planteth a fir tree, and the rain doth nourish it.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He kittide doun cedris, he took an hawthorn, and an ook, that stood among the trees of the forest; he plauntide a pyne apple tre, which he nurschide with reyn,
Update Bible Version
He cuts down cedars, and takes the holm-tree and the oak, and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest: he plants a fir-tree, and the rain nourishes it.
Webster's Bible Translation
He heweth down cedars for himself, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish [it].
New English Translation
He cuts down cedars and acquires a cypress or an oak. He gets trees from the forest; he plants a cedar and the rain makes it grow.
New King James Version
He cuts down cedars for himself, And takes the cypress and the oak; He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.
New Living Translation
He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the pine in the forest to be nourished by the rain.
New Life Bible
He cuts down cedar trees, and takes a cypress or an oak, and lets it grow strong among the trees. He plants a fir tree, and the rain makes it grow.
New Revised Standard
He cuts down cedars or chooses a holm tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
When one was cutting him down cedars, Then took he a holm-tree and an oak, And secured them for himself, among the trees of the forest, - He planted a fir-tree and the pouring rain made it grow;
Douay-Rheims Bible
He hath cut down cedars, taken the holm, and the oak that stood among the trees of the forest: he hath planted the pine tree, which the rain hath nourished.
Revised Standard Version
He cuts down cedars; or he chooses a holm tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest; he plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
Young's Literal Translation
Cutting down to himself cedars, He taketh also a cypress, and an oak, And he strengtheneth [it] for himself Among the trees of a forest, He hath planted an ash, and the shower doth nourish [it].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow.

Contextual Overview

9 All those who make idols are worthless, and the gods they prize so highly are useless. Those who worship these gods are blind and ignorant—and they will be disgraced. 10 It does no good to make a metal image to worship as a god! 11 Everyone who worships it will be humiliated. The people who make idols are human beings and nothing more. Let them come and stand trial—they will be terrified and will suffer disgrace. 12 The metalworker takes a piece of metal and works with it over a fire. His strong arm swings a hammer to pound the metal into shape. As he works, he gets hungry, thirsty, and tired. 13 The carpenter measures the wood. He outlines a figure with chalk, carves it out with his tools, and makes it in the form of a man, a handsome human figure, to be placed in his house. 14 He might cut down cedars to use, or choose oak or cypress wood from the forest. Or he might plant a laurel tree and wait for the rain to make it grow. 15 A person uses part of a tree for fuel and part of it for making an idol. With one part he builds a fire to warm himself and bake bread; with the other part he makes a god and worships it. 16 With some of the wood he makes a fire; he roasts meat, eats it, and is satisfied. He warms himself and says, "How nice and warm! What a beautiful fire!" 17 The rest of the wood he makes into an idol, and then he bows down and worships it. He prays to it and says, "You are my god—save me!" 18 Such people are too stupid to know what they are doing. They close their eyes and their minds to the truth.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

heweth: Isaiah 40:20, Jeremiah 10:3-8, Hosea 4:12, Habakkuk 2:19

strengtheneth: or, taketh courage

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 15:8 - took courage Habakkuk 2:18 - that the

Cross-References

Genesis 43:16
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant in charge of his house, "Take these men to my house. They are going to eat with me at noon, so kill an animal and prepare it."
Genesis 43:25
They got their gifts ready to present to Joseph when he arrived at noon, because they had been told that they were to eat with him.
Genesis 44:7
They answered him, "What do you mean, sir, by talking like this? We swear that we have done no such thing.
Genesis 44:10
He said, "I agree; but only the one who has taken the cup will become my slave, and the rest of you can go free."
Genesis 44:11
So they quickly lowered their sacks to the ground, and each man opened his sack.
Genesis 50:18
Then his brothers themselves came and bowed down before him. "Here we are before you as your slaves," they said.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak,.... To make gods of, trees both pleasant and durable, but all unfruitful:

which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest; taking a great deal of pains in seeking out such trees as were most fit for his use, and a great deal of care in the growth of them, that they might answer his end, as well as exerting his strength in cutting of them down:

he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it; a tree that soon grows up, and which he plants for the purpose to make a god of; and this being watered and nourished with rain, which God vouchsafes, though designed for an idolatrous use, grows, and is fit for what it was intended; and being so, he cuts it down, and, makes an image of it; which shows his folly and madness, that a tree of his own planting, which he has seen the growth of, and yet be so sottish as to imagine that a god may be may be made of it. The word for "rain" signifies a body in the Syriac g language, as Kimchi observes, and for which he produces Daniel 4:33, and so Aben Ezra says it signifies in the Arabic language h; and the sense is, "the body" of the tree "grew up", and being grown up, was cut down, and used as follows.

g "corpus", Luke iii. 22. 2Cor. x. 10. Castel. Lex. Polyglott. col. 627. So in the Chaldee language. h So, according to Schindler, signifies a body, Lex. Pentaglott. col. 347, 348.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He heweth him down cedars - In the previous verses, the prophet had described the formation of an axe with which the work was to be done Isaiah 44:12, and the laying out, and carving of the idol Isaiah 44:13. In this verse he proceeds to describe the material of which the idol was made, and the different purposes Isaiah 44:15-17 to which that material was applied. The object is to show the amazing stupidity of those who should worship a god made of the same material from which they made a fire to warm themselves, or to cook their food. For a description of cedars, see the notes at Isaiah 9:10.

And taketh - Takes to himself; that is, makes use of.

The cypress - (תרזה tı̂rzâh). This word occurs nowhere else in the Bible. It is probably derived from a root (תרז târaz) signifying to be hard, or firm. Hence, it probably means some species of wood that derived its name from its hardness or firmness. Jerome translates it, Ilex (a species of oak) - ‘the holm-oak.’ It was an evergreen. This species of evergreen, Gesenius says, was abundant in Palestine.

And the oak - The oak was commonly used for this purpose on account of its hardness and durability.

Which he strengtheneth for himself - Margin, ‘Taketh courage.’ The word אמץ 'ı̂mmēts means properly “to strenthen,” to make strong, to repair, to replace, to harden. Rosenmuller and Gesenius suppose that it means here to choose, that is, to set fast, or appoint; and they appeal to Psalms 80:15, Psalms 80:17, ‘thou madest strong for thyself.’ Kimchi supposes that it means, that he gave himself with the utmost diligence and care to select the best kinds of wood for the purpose. Vitringa, that he was intent on his work, and did not leave the place, but refreshed himself with food in the woods without returning home, in order that be might accomplish his design. Others interpret it to mean that he girded himself with strength, and made use of his most intense efforts in felling the trees of the forest. Lowth renders it, ‘Layeth in good store of the trees of the forest.’ It may mean that he gave himself with great diligence to the work; or may it not mean that he planted such trees, and took great pains in watering and cultivating them for this purpose?

He planteth an ash - (ארן 'oren). The Septuagint renders it, Πίτυν Pitun - ‘Pine.’ Jerome also renders it, Pinum. Gesenius supposes the name was given from the fact that the tree had a tall and slender top, which, when it vibrated, gave forth a tremulous, creaking sound (from רנן rânan). This derivation is, however, somewhat fanciful. Most interpreters regard it as the ash - a well-known tree. In idolatrous countries, where it is common to have idols in almost every family, the business of idol-making is a very important manufacture. Of course, large quantities of wood would be needed; and it would be an object to procure that which was most pure, or as we say, ‘clear stuff,’ and which would work easily, and to advantage. It became important, therefore, to cultivate that wood, as we do for shipbuilding, or for cabinet-work, and doubtless groves were planted for this purpose.

And the rain doth nourish it - These circumstances are mentioned to show the folly of worshipping a god that was formed in this manner. Perhaps also the prophet means to intimate that though the man planted the tree, yet that be could not make it grow. He was dependent on the rains of heaven; and even in making an idol-god he was indebted to the providential care of the true God. Men, even in their schemes of wickedness, are dependent on God. Even in forming and executing plans to oppose and resist him, they can do nothing without his aid. He preserves them, feeds them, clothes them; and the instruments which they use against him are those which he has nurtured. On the rain of heaven; on the sunbeam and the dew; on the teeming earth, and on the elements which he has made, and which he controls, they are dependent; and they can do nothing in their wicked plans without abusing the bounties of his Providence, and the expressions of his tender mercy.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Isaiah 44:14. He heweth him down - "He heweth down"] For לכרת lichroth, the Septuagint and Vulgate read כרת carath or יכרת yichroth.


 
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