Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
An earthenware vessel
Will the
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?
King James Version
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Holman Bible
one clay pot among many.
Does clay say to the one forming it,
‘What are you making?’
Or does your work say,
‘He has no hands’?
International Standard Version
"Woe to the one who quarrels with his makers, a mere potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Woe to the one who says to the one forming him, "What are you making?' or "Your work has no human hands?'!
A Conservative Version
Woe to him who strives with his maker, a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashions it, What are thou making? or thy work, He has no hands?
American Standard Version
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Amplified
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who quarrels with his Maker—
A [worthless] piece of broken pottery among other broken pieces [equally worthless]!
Shall the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or does the thing say, ‘He has no hands’?
Bible in Basic English
Cursed is he who has an argument with his Maker, the pot which has an argument with the Potter! Will the wet earth say to him who is working with it, What are you doing, that your work has nothing by which it may be gripped?
Darby Translation
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let a potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that formeth it, What makest thou? Or thy work, He hath no hands?
Julia Smith Translation
Wo to him striving with him forming him! the potsherd with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him forming it, What wilt thou make? and thy work, No hands to it?
King James 2000
Woe unto him that strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashions it, What do you make? or of your work, He has no hands?
Lexham Expanded Bible
Woe [to the] one who strives with his {maker}, a potsherd among potsherds of earth! Does [the] clay say to the one who fashions it, 'What are you making?' and 'Your work has no hands'?
Modern King James verseion
Woe to him who fights with the One who formed him, a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to its former, What are you making? Or your work, He has no hands?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Woe be unto him that chideth with his maker, the potsherd with the potter. Sayeth the clay to the potter, "What makest thou?" or "Thy work serveth for nothing?"
NET Bible
One who argues with his creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, "What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!"
New Heart English Bible
Woe to him who strives with his Maker, a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth. Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, 'What are you making?' or your work, 'He has no hands?'
The Emphasized Bible
Alas for him who contendeth with his Fashioner, - A potsherd, should contend with the potsherds of the ground! Shall it be said by the clay, unto him that is fashioning it, What wouldst thou make? Or, thy work say, of thee, He hath no hands?
Webster
Woe to him that contendeth with his Maker! Let the potsherd contend with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
World English Bible
Woe to him who strives with his Maker -- a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, 'What are you making?' or your work, 'He has no hands?'
Youngs Literal Translation
Woe to him who is striving with his Former, (A potsherd with potsherds of the ground!) Doth clay say to its Framer, 'What dost thou?' And thy work, 'He hath no hands?'
Themes
Contention » Those that strive with their maker
Man » A social being » As clay
Man » Called » The potsherd of the earth
Potsherd » Fragment of earthenware
Topics
Interlinear
Yatsar
Yatsar
References
Word Count of 20 Translations in Isaiah 45:9
Prayers for Isaiah 45:9
Verse Info
Context Readings
Cyrus, God's Instrument
8
Rain down from above, you heavens, and pour down righteousness, you skies. Let the earth open. Let salvation and righteousness sprout. Let them spring up for I Jehovah have created them.
9
An earthenware vessel
Will the
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?
Names
Cross References
Isaiah 29:16
You have it all backwards. A clay dish does not say to the potter, You did not make me. And should the one made say to the maker, You do not understand?
Isaiah 64:8
But now, Jehovah, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. We are the work of your hands.
Romans 9:20-21
Yes, but you, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: Why have you made me this way? (Isaiah 45:9)
Job 40:8-9
Would you undo my justice? Would you condemn me so that you can be righteous?
Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah!
Isaiah 10:15
Can an ax attack the person who cuts with it? Can a saw make itself greater than the person who saws with it? A rod cannot move the person who lifts it. A wooden stick cannot pick up a person.
Jeremiah 18:6
Nation of Israel, can I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel, You are in my hands like the clay in the potter's hands.
Jeremiah 50:24
I will set traps for you, Babylon. You will be caught, but you will not know it. You will be found and captured because you have opposed Jehovah.
Exodus 9:16-17
I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you my power and in order to proclaim my name through all the earth.
Job 15:24-26
Distress and anguish fill him with terror. They overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack.
Psalm 2:2-9
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against Jehovah and against his Anointed One.
1 Corinthians 10:22
Do we provoke Jehovah to rivalry (indignation) (anger)? Are we stronger than he?