Isaiah 2:20
In that day mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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When the prophet speaks of casting idols "to the moles and to the bats," he's not just saying they'll be thrown away, but specifically into dark, obscure, and possibly repulsive places. This vividly illustrates that the once-revered objects of worship will be relegated to the realm of the unseen and the unclean, signifying their utter worthlessness.
This passage is part of Isaiah's vision of the future glory of Zion and the coming judgment of the Lord. Following warnings against human pride and reliance on earthly power, the prophecy shifts to describe a time when God's judgment will sweep away all false worship and idols. The immediate context sets up this verse by describing people hiding in caves from God's terrible presence, realizing the utter worthlessness of their man-made gods in the face of divine power.
Why would people spend precious silver and gold on idols that were ultimately worthless? This verse highlights a crucial aspect of idolatry: its deeply personal and manufactured nature.
Isaiah points out that these idols of silver and gold were 'which they made each one for himself to worship.' This wasn't about some distant, divine power; it was about crafting something tangible that reflected their own desires and efforts.
When disaster strikes or God's glory is revealed, what happens to the things we once cherished as divine? This verse offers a stark image of their final, ignominious end.
Isaiah paints a powerful picture of the utter worthlessness of idols when confronted by the true power and majesty of God. The idols, once objects of devotion and significant investment, are unceremoniously discarded into the darkest, most obscure places.
This prophecy of Isaiah, likely delivered during the anxious times leading up to or during the Assyrian invasion, paints a picture of a future when idolatry will be completely abandoned. The terrifying earthquake that shakes the earth forces people to flee to caves, and in their desperation, they cast away the useless idols of silver and gold that offered no protection. This event highlights the utter failure of idols and the ultimate sovereignty of the LORD.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophetic Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry in Judah during a period of relative peace but growing internal corruption and reliance on foreign alliances.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian army under Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieking Jerusalem. This event profoundly shook Judah and highlighted the futility of reliance on human strength or idols.
c. 605-586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Judah is conquered by Babylon in successive waves, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the exile of its people. This catastrophic event marks a definitive end to idolatry in Jewish practice.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
This passage describes idols as worthless 'nothing' and 'teachers of lies,' directly paralleling Isaiah's depiction of idols being discarded to creatures of darkness.
Hosea 2:17Hosea prophesies that God will take away the names of the Baals from the people's lips, meaning their idols will no longer be invoked or even remembered, echoing the ultimate discarding of idols mentioned in Isaiah.
1 Kings 18:21Elijah confronts Israel, asking them 'How long will you go limping between two opinions?' This highlights the spiritual dividedness that Isaiah's prophecy ultimately resolves by the complete abandonment of idols.
Psalm 115:4-7This psalm explicitly states that idols are made of silver and gold, have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see, reinforcing the material and impotent nature of the idols Isaiah describes as being cast away.
gillIsaiah 2:20: "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;"
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols o gold,.... Being frightened at the terrible shaking of the earth, and at the glory and majesty of Christ, which will be seen in his witnesses and people, at the time of his spiritual coming, and the destruction of antichrist; insomuch that they shall cast away their…
barnesIsaiah 2:20: "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;"
In that day - That is, in the time when God would come forth to inflict punishment. Probably the day to which the prophet refers here was the time of the captivity at Babylon. A man shall cast ... - That is, "all" who have idols, or who have been trusting in them. Valuable as they may be - made of gold and silver; and much as he m…
When the prophet speaks of casting idols "to the moles and to the bats," he's not just saying they'll be thrown away, but specifically into dark, obscure, and possibly repulsive places. This vividly illustrates that the once-revered objects of worship will be relegated to the realm of the unseen and the unclean, signifying their utter worthlessness.
This passage is part of Isaiah's vision of the future glory of Zion and the coming judgment of the Lord. Following warnings against human pride and reliance on earthly power, the prophecy shifts to describe a time when God's judgment will sweep away all false worship and idols. The immediate context sets up this verse by describing people hiding in caves from God's terrible presence, realizing the utter worthlessness of their man-made gods in the face of divine power.
This passage is part of Isaiah's vision of the future glory of Zion and the coming judgment of the Lord. Following warnings against human pride and reliance on earthly power, the prophecy shifts to describe a time when God's judgment will sweep away all false worship and idols. The immediate context sets up this verse by describing people hiding in caves from God's terrible presence, realizing the utter worthlessness of their man-made gods in the face of divine power.
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Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, a decree allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This marks a spiritual and national renewal.
"In that day mankind will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats," — When the prophet speaks of casting idols "to the moles and to the bats," he's not just saying they'll be thrown away, but specifically into dark, obscure, and possibly repulsive places. This vividly…
