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Isaiah 46:1-2
New Catholic Bible
Isaiah 46:1-2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 46
The Idols of Babylon[a]
1 Bel[b] bows down, Nebo stoops low;
their idols are borne by beasts and cattle.
The images you used to carry on your shoulders
are now a burden for weary animals.
2 They stoop and bow down together
but are unable to transport their burden safely,
and they too move forth into captivity.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 46:1 The Chaldeans fleeing before Cyrus carry away their idols, marking the end of an empire and a religion. Israel, on the contrary, is always led by its God. The legions of Cyrus with their eagle banner (the bird of prey in v. 11) cause chaos among the peoples; Israel is to see in the event an action of God for their salvation.
- Isaiah 46:1 Bel: the title of the principal Babylonian divinity; Nebo, his son, was the god of wisdom.
