Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 44:9

9. They that make a graven image are all of them vanity , and their delectable things shall not profit, and they are their own witnesses , they see not, nor know ; that they may be ashamed .

Hereby discover themselves to be vain, empty, or foolish Men. Or thus, They that make graven images all of them make (which Word may fitly be repeated out of the foregoing Clause, as is very usual in Scripture) a vanity or a thing of nought. Which Translation seems better to agree, 1. With the following Clause, which is added to explain this, in which, not the Idol-makers, but the Idols themselves, are said to be vain or unprofitable. 2. With the use of this Hebrew Word in Scripture, which is never applied to Persons, but constantly to Things, and sometimes to Idols, as 1 Sam. 12. 21.

Their Idols, in the sight and worship of which, they take so much Pleasure.

They that make them, are Witnesses against themselves, and against their Idols, because they very well know, That they are not God's, but the work of their own Hands, in which there is nothing but mean matter and man's Art.

Or, that they (to wit, their Idols) do not see nor know, have neither Sense nor Understanding.

Therefore they have just Cause to be ashamed of their Folly and Stupidity, in Worshipping such senseless Things.

Marginal references: Heb. desirable.; Psal. 115. 4. &c.