Isaiah 2:18

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 2:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the idols shall utterly pass away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the idols shall utterly pass away.
Isaiah 2:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And the idols shall utterly pass away.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the idols he shall utterly abolish.] The images of saints worshipped by the Papists: after the destruction of antichrist, and when the spiritual reign of Christ takes place, there will be no idolatry or worshipping of images any more, (see <381302>Zechariah 13:2). The word µylyla, used for “idols”, signifies things that are not, for an idol is nothing in the world, (<460804>1 Corinthians 8:4) these the Lord “will cause to pass away”, even all of them, they shall disappear.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“idols--literally, "vain things," "nothings" (Co1 8:4). Fulfilled to the letter. Before the Babylonian captivity the Jews were most prone to idolatry; in no instance, ever since. For the future fulfilment, see Zac 13:2; Rev 13:15; Rev 19:20.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the idols - Note, Isaiah 2:8. Abolish - Hebrew, ‘Cause to pass away or disappear.’ He shall entirely cause their worship to cease. This prediction was most remarkably fulfilled. Before the captivity at Babylon, the Jews were exceedingly prone to idolatry. It is a remarkable fact that no such propensity was ever evinced “after” that. In their own land they were entirely free from it; and scattered as they have been into all lands, they have in every age since kept clear from idolatry. Not an instance, probably, has been known of their relapsing into this sin; and no temptation, or torture, has been sufficient to induce them to bow down and worship an idol. This is one of the few instances…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the idols: Isa 27:9; Eze 36:25, Eze 37:23; Hos 14:8; Zep 1:3; Zac 13:2 he shall utterly abolish: or, shall utterly pass away Isaiah 2:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The closing refrain of the next two strophes is based upon the concluding clause of Isa 2:10. The proclamation of judgment turns now to the elilim, which, as being at the root of all the evil, occupied the lowest place in the things of which the land was full ( Isa 2:7, Isa 2:8). In a short v. of one clause consisting of only three words, their future is declared as it were with a lightning-flash. "And the idols utterly pass away." The translation shows the shortness of the verse, but not the significant synallage numeri. The idols are one and all a mass of nothingness, which will be reduced to absolute annihilation: they will vanish Câlil, i.e., either "they will utterly perish" (funditus…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification