Definition: They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, [and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 46:6. It's a really interesting and somewhat metaphorical passage about God’s power and relationship with His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is so powerful that He can create something incredibly valuable – gold and silver – and then control its value, making it seem like it has a life of its own. It's about God actively shaping things to His purpose. Let’s break it down word by word: “They lavish gold out of the bag” : This means God is giving something valuable – gold, treasure, or blessings – freely and generously. It suggests a generous outpouring of goodness. “And weigh silver in the balance” : This speaks to a precise and meticulous process. It’s not just throwing things together randomly; there's careful consideration and measurement involved. “[and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god” : This is the crucial part. God is personifying this valuable thing – turning it into something with divine power. He’s creating it, imbuing it with significance, and making it seem like it has a spirit or life of its own. It's as if he’s giving it a special, almost magical quality. “They fall down, yea, they worship” : This is the unsettling part. It means that this created thing – this “god” – starts to lose its value and become unstable. People begin to worship it, even though it's not truly human or real. It suggests a loss of control and perhaps an overwhelming sense of awe. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse is essentially saying: God’s power is so great that He can create something beautiful and valuable, but also capable of losing its luster and becoming worshipped. It's a reminder that while we can appreciate and value things, it’s important to remember that true value comes from God. It also speaks to the potential for pride and idolatry – focusing on something too much, even if it seems impressive. In short, Isaiah 46:6 is a powerful image of God's control over creation and his ability to create something truly remarkable, but also something that can be vulnerable to losing its power. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of the passage within the larger book of Isaiah? Compare it to other biblical images (like creation)?