The Meaning of Isaiah 45:16 Explained

Isaiah 45:16

KJV: They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

YLT: They have been ashamed, And they have even blushed -- all of them, Together gone in confusion have those carving images.

Darby: They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them; they shall go away in confusion together, the makers of idols.

ASV: They shall be put to shame, yea, confounded, all of them; they shall go into confusion together that are makers of idols.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

They shall be ashamed,  and also confounded,  all of them: they shall go  to confusion  together  [that are] makers  of idols. 

What does Isaiah 45:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 45:14-25 - A Call To The Ends Of The Earth
As the prophet reviews God's method of delivering His people-so unexpected and so wonderful-he cannot restrain the ejaculation: Thou art a God that hidest thyself! "Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will." You do not see how God is going to save you; but most certainly His Angel will redeem you from all evil.
God contrasts Himself with idols, Isaiah 45:20. We can never seek His face in vain. They that trust in man or their own devices are doomed to disappointment; but faith and prayer make all the difference. He is "a just God and a Savior." This is the wonderful combination that the Cross reveals. See Romans 3:26; 1 John 1:9. Look to Him and be saved. Even if you dwell in a far land or at the ends of the earth, and even if you can only look toward Him with failing sight, remember that "there is life in a look." Dare to say, "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." You have none of your own! Your strength is weakness! Your righteousness is full of flaws! Look to Him; boast in Him; and men shall come to you for your secret. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 45

1  God calls Cyrus for his church's sake
5  By his omnipotence he challenges obedience
20  He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power

What do the individual words in Isaiah 45:16 mean?

They shall be ashamed and also disgraced all of them together they shall go in confusion [Who are] makers of idols
בּ֥וֹשׁוּ וְגַֽם־ נִכְלְמ֖וּ כֻּלָּ֑ם יַחְדָּו֙ הָלְכ֣וּ בַכְּלִמָּ֔ה חָרָשֵׁ֖י צִירִֽים

בּ֥וֹשׁוּ  They  shall  be  ashamed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: בֹּושׁ 
Sense: to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed.
וְגַֽם־  and  also 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: גַּם  
Sense: also, even, indeed, moreover, yea.
נִכְלְמ֖וּ  disgraced 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: כָּלַם  
Sense: to insult, shame, humiliate, blush, be ashamed, be put to shame, be reproached, be put to confusion, be humiliated.
כֻּלָּ֑ם  all  of  them 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
יַחְדָּו֙  together 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.
הָלְכ֣וּ  they  shall  go 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
בַכְּלִמָּ֔ה  in  confusion 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: כְּלִמָּה  
Sense: disgrace, reproach, shame, confusion, dishonour, insult, ignominy.
חָרָשֵׁ֖י  [Who  are]  makers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: חֶרֶשׁ 
Sense: craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer.
צִירִֽים  of  idols 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: צִיר  
Sense: image, idol.