He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that true worship and reliance are directed towards the divine Creator, not toward human-made objects or practices. It highlights the futility of trusting in things we create, whether physical altars or symbolic "groves" and "images," underscoring that these are ultimately empty and cannot provide the salvation or security that only God offers.
He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage appears in the middle of a prophecy against Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). After describing their impending judgment, Isaiah shifts focus to a spiritual restoration that will occur in Israel. This verse describes the internal change in a person's heart, turning away from man-made objects of worship to rely solely on God.
Ever feel like you're putting your trust in something that just can't deliver? This verse cuts to the chase about where we place our hope.
Isaiah 17:8 describes a turning away from the idols and altars that people created. These weren't just random objects; they represented supposed sources of power, protection, and favor.
What did they represent?
The Core Problem
The key here is that these objects are repeatedly described as the 'work of his hands' or 'what his fingers have made.' This emphasizes their origin: human creation. They cannot offer genuine salvation, protection, or provision because they are inert and powerless. Trusting in them is like trusting a tool to build itself. It's a fundamental misunderstanding of where true power and help come from.
Ask a follow-up
In a moment of crisis, where do your eyes naturally turn? This verse points to a profound shift in focus that defines true faith.
Isaiah 17:8 is placed within a larger context where a choice is presented. The preceding verse (Isaiah 17:7) says, 'At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.' This verse then acts as a powerful contrast.
The Contrast Explained
A Transformation
This isn't just about avoiding pagan worship; it's about a fundamental reorientation. When people truly 'look to their Maker,' their perspective changes. They no longer find security or identity in the transient and powerless things they've created. Instead, their gaze is fixed on the eternal, powerful, and holy God. This shift from self-made solutions to divine reliance is the essence of true repentance and faith.
Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place of sacrifice or offering, often associated with worship; in the Old Testament, these could be legitimate places of worship to God or forbidden sites of idolatrous practice.
Asherim · Hebrew Noun
Sacred poles or wooden images representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah; their worship was strictly forbidden in Israel as it involved detestable idolatry and fertility rites.
This prophecy likely dates to the period of Assyrian expansion, specifically during the Syro-Ephraimite War. The destruction of Damascus and the subsequent fall of Israel served as a stark warning against relying on idols and foreign alliances instead of trusting in the Lord.
c. 734 BC
Syrian-Ephraimite War begins
The kings of Aram-Damascus and Israel form an alliance to invade Judah. They put pressure on Judah to join them against the rising Assyrian Empire.
c. 733 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Syria and Israel
Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria invades and conquers Aram-Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). Many Israelites are deported.
c. 732 BC— this verse
Fall of Damascus
The capital of Aram-Damascus falls to the Assyrians, ending the kingdom of Syria as an independent power.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, Samaria, falls to the Assyrians, leading to the deportation of most of its population and the end of the northern kingdom.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports some of its nobility and skilled workers, including figures like Daniel, to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This marks a profound crisis for the Judean people.
This verse in Isaiah also speaks of idols as 'the work of their hands' and 'what their fingers have made,' directly paralleling the imagery of human-made objects of worship that are ultimately powerless.
Hosea 8:5-6Hosea directly condemns the creation of idols, calling them 'the work of a craftsman' and stating that 'the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces,' mirroring Isaiah's theme of the worthlessness of man-made gods.
Jeremiah 10:3-5This passage vividly describes idols as being carved from wood, adorned with silver and gold, and needing to be carried, reinforcing the idea that they are entirely dependent on human hands and incapable of any divine action.
Psalm 115:4-7This Psalm offers a powerful contrast between the living God and lifeless idols, detailing how idols have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see, and hands but do not handle, directly echoing Isaiah's message about the impotence of these 'works of human hands'.
1 Corinthians 12:2Paul warns believers against being led astray to worship mute idols, 'however you were led,' which connects to Isaiah's message by highlighting the deceptive nature of idolatry and the danger of turning away from the true God.
clarkeIsaiah 17:8: "And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images."
The altars, the work of his hands "The altars dedicated to the work of his hands" - The construction of the words, and the meaning of the sentence, in this place are not obvious; all the ancient Versions, and most of the modern, have mistaken it. The word מעשה maaseh, "the work," stands in regimine with מזבחות mizbechoth, "altars,…
gillIsaiah 17:8: "And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images."
And he shall not took to the altars, the work of his hands,.... That is, to altars erected to the worship of idols, which are both the works of men's hands, so as to serve at them, and sacrifice upon them. Kimchi observes, that the latter clause is not to be understood as belonging to the former, but as distinct from it, and signifi…
The verse emphasizes that true worship and reliance are directed towards the divine Creator, not toward human-made objects or practices. It highlights the futility of trusting in things we create, whether physical altars or symbolic "groves" and "images," underscoring that these are ultimately empty and cannot provide the salvation or security that only God offers.
This passage appears in the middle of a prophecy against Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). After describing their impending judgment, Isaiah shifts focus to a spiritual restoration that will occur in Israel. This verse describes the internal change in a person's heart, turning away from man-made objects of worship to rely solely on God.
This passage appears in the middle of a prophecy against Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). After describing their impending judgment, Isaiah shifts focus to a spiritual restoration that will occur in Israel. This verse describes the internal change in a person's heart, turning away from man-made objects of worship to rely solely on God.
"He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense." — The verse emphasizes that true worship and reliance are directed towards the divine Creator, not toward human-made objects or practices. It highlights the futility of trusting in things we create, wh…
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Last reviewed October 2026