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Read the Bible
Louis Segond
Ésaïe 44:14
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
Il se coupe des c�dres, et prend un cypr�s, ou un ch�ne, qu'il a laiss� cro�tre parmi les arbres de la for�t; il plante un fr�ne, et la pluie le fait cro�tre.
Il se coupe des c�dres; il prend un rouvre et un ch�ne, il choisit parmi les arbres de la for�t; il plante un fr�ne, et la pluie le fait cro�tre.
Il se coupe des c�dres, et il prend un rouvre et un ch�ne; il choisit parmi les arbres de la for�t. Il plante un pin, et la pluie le fait cro�tre.
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
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.
