I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that God's "name" is inherently tied to His glory, which He will not share with any other being or give to idols. This isn't just about pride; it's about the exclusivity of His being, the source of all existence and worth, a truth He will defend against all claims of other deities or created things.
I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage occurs in the context of God revealing His identity and unique nature to His people. Following pronouncements about His sovereignty and faithfulness, He declares that His glory and praise are exclusively His. This declaration is made in contrast to the idols that His people might be tempted to worship, emphasizing that He alone is the true God, the LORD.
Why does God emphasize His name, 'LORD' (Yahweh)? What does this self-declaration mean for His glory?
Isaiah 42:8 begins with a powerful declaration: "I am the LORD; that is my name." This isn't just a casual introduction. The name 'LORD' (Yahweh) in Hebrew speaks of God's eternal, self-existent nature. It’s His unique identity. He then immediately connects this name to His glory, stating, 'my glory I give to no other.' This means God’s inherent worth, His splendor, His very essence, is not shared. It belongs to Him alone. He will not allow His divine honor, the recognition of His supreme power and existence, to be attributed to anyone or anything else, especially not to lifeless idols.
What does it mean for God's praise to be given to 'carved idols'? How does this relate to His glory?
The latter part of Isaiah 42:8 makes a crucial point: God's praise will not be given 'to carved idols.' Carved idols represent the ultimate insult to God’s unique glory. They are human creations, lifeless, and utterly incapable of receiving or reflecting divine glory. To give praise to an idol is to steal God's rightful honor and attribute it to something that is nothing. This verse challenges any form of worship or reverence that elevates created things—whether literal statues, human achievements, or even our own abilities—to the place that belongs to the Creator alone. It's a call to recognize that all true praise and worship are due to the one true LORD.
Understand the original words
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kabod · Hebrew Noun
The weight, majesty, and radiant presence of God. It represents His essential nature and the visible manifestation of His divine authority and honor.
pesel · Hebrew Noun
Representations of false gods made by human hands; they are characterized by their inability to speak, see, or act, and are strictly forbidden in true worship.
tehillah · Hebrew Noun
A technical term for the musical and verbal expression of honor, adoration, and thanksgiving directed toward God for His character and works.
This verse, spoken during the Babylonian exile, powerfully declares the LORD's unique and indivisible glory. It stands in stark contrast to the surrounding context of a people whose nation had been shattered, their temple destroyed, and their worship scattered due to their own idolatry and unfaithfulness. Isaiah's declaration serves as a divine reminder that despite human failure, the LORD's identity, glory, and praise belong solely to Him, setting Him apart from all false gods and carved images that could offer no real salvation or vindication.
Late 8th century BC
Isaiah's Prophecies
Isaiah delivers prophecies during a time of political instability and Assyrian threat, emphasizing God's unique sovereignty and the unfaithfulness of idols.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Jerusalem withstands a devastating siege by the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, reinforcing Isaiah's message of God's protection for His people and city.
621 BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
King Josiah institutes widespread reforms, purging idolatry and centralizing worship following the discovery of the Book of the Law, reflecting a renewed commitment to God's commands.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation
Following the Battle of Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting key figures from Judah, including Jehoiakim, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, intensifying the exile and its impact.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, completing the deportation of the remaining population and signifying the devastating climax of God's judgment for Israel's unfaithfulness.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus begins his ascent, setting the stage for his conquest of Babylon and the eventual return of the exiles, a key event prophesied in Isaiah.
This verse directly echoes Isaiah 42:8, stating, 'my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to the graven images.' It reinforces the exclusivity of God's glory and praise.
Exodus 3:15Isaiah 42:8 alludes to God's self-revelation to Moses, where God declares 'This is my name forever.' This connection highlights that 'LORD' (or 'Yahweh') is God's unique and eternal name, inseparable from His glory.
Psalm 115:4-8This passage describes the worthlessness of idols, contrasting them with the living God. It parallels Isaiah 42:8 by emphasizing that idols cannot receive praise or glory because they are man-made objects.
John 17:5In Jesus' prayer, He speaks of the glory He had with the Father before the world began, indicating that His glory is shared with the Father but not with any other. This New Testament parallel reflects the ancient truth in Isaiah 42:8 about God not giving His glory to another.
Acts 14:15-17Paul and Barnabas declare themselves to be men with like passions as the people they are addressing, urging them to turn from 'these vain things unto the living God.' This speaks to the same concept in Isaiah 42:8 of rejecting idols and worshipping the true, living God.
cambridgeIsaiah 42:8: "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."
8 . my glory … another ] (Cf. ch. Isaiah 48:11 )—the glory of true deity, which would be forfeited if Jehovah were unable to predict the future, or if His predictions should fail ( Isaiah 42:9 ).
bensonIsaiah 42:8: "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."
Isaiah 42:8-9 . I am the Lord — Hebrew, Jehovah; who have all being in and of myself, and give being to all my creatures. The everlasting, and unchangeable, and omnipotent God, who therefore both can and will fulfil all my promises. That is my name — Which I must own and justify to the world. He seems to allude to Exodus 3:14 ; Exodus 6:3 . My glory will I not give to anot…
The verse emphasizes that God's "name" is inherently tied to His glory, which He will not share with any other being or give to idols. This isn't just about pride; it's about the exclusivity of His being, the source of all existence and worth, a truth He will defend against all claims of other deities or created things.
This passage occurs in the context of God revealing His identity and unique nature to His people. Following pronouncements about His sovereignty and faithfulness, He declares that His glory and praise are exclusively His. This declaration is made in contrast to the idols that His people might be tempted to worship, emphasizing that He alone is the true God, the LORD.
This passage occurs in the context of God revealing His identity and unique nature to His people. Following pronouncements about His sovereignty and faithfulness, He declares that His glory and praise are exclusively His. This declaration is made in contrast to the idols that His people might be tempted to worship, emphasizing that He alone is the true God, the LORD.
"I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols." — The verse emphasizes that God's "name" is inherently tied to His glory, which He will not share with any other being or give to idols. This isn't just about pride; it's about the exclusivity of His b…
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Last reviewed October 2026