The Power of Hashem and the powerlessness of atzabim (idols)
46:1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their atzabim (idols) were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].
46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
46:3 Hearken unto Me, O Beit Yaakov, and all the remnant of the Beit Yisrael, which are borne [by me] from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
46:4 And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].
46:5 To whom will ye liken Me, and make [me] equal, and compare Me, that we may be like?
46:6 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.
46:7 They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, [one] shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
46:8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again to mind, O ye transgressors.
46:9 Remember the former things of old: for Aniki EL (אל), and [there is] none else; [I am] Elohim (אלהים), and [there is] none like Me,
46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.
46:12 Hearken unto Me, ye stouthearted, that [are] far from tzedakah:
46:13 I bring near my tzedakah; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Tzyon for Yisrael My glory.
ֵבּל bēl: A masculine proper noun meaning Bel. It designates a Babylonian god whose name means lord (Yesha 46:1; Yer 50:2; Yer 51:44). Hashem is bringing swift judgment on this false pagan god