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Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

KJV

Et nunc, Domine, pater noster es tu, nos vero lutum ; et fictor noster tu, et opera manuum tuarum omnes nos.

Vulgate

Καὶ νῦν, Κύριε, πατὴρ ἡμῶν σύ, ἡμεῖς δὲ πηλός, ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου πάντες ἡμεῖς.

LXX

But now, O Jehovah, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

ASV

אַל תִּקְצֹ֤ף יְהוָה֙ עַד מְאֹ֔ד וְ/אַל לָ/עַ֖ד תִּזְכֹּ֣ר עָוֺ֑ן הֵ֥ן הַבֶּט נָ֖א עַמְּ/ךָ֥ כֻלָּֽ/נוּ

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

13 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

אַל
'l
preposition · 720×
ה
h
verb · 70×
זְכָר
zkr
verb · 231×
י
y
noun · 1849×
יְהוָ֖ה
yhvh
proper_noun · 6455×
יִּקְצֹ֥ף
yqtsp
verb · 34×
כָּל
kl
noun · 5376×
ם
m
noun · 230×
מְאֹֽד
m'd
noun · 297×
נִ֨י
ny
pronoun · 313×
נָ֣א
n'
particle · 403×
עֶֽד
'd
noun · 47×
עַד
'd
noun · 1257×

Themes

Historic Christian voices

4 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor? If God works in us as the potter shapes the clay, what room is left for free will to maneuver? Paul uses this very image to show that God's election does not depend on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

Cross-references

  • Deut 32:6 — Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?
  • Deut 32:6 — Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?
  • Eph 2:10 — For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
  • Exod 4:22 — And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
  • Exod 4:22 — And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
  • Gal 3:26 — For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
  • Gal 3:29 — And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
  • Gen 1:26 — And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over
  • Gen 2:7 — And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
  • Gen 18:27 — And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Heb 1:10 — And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
  • Isa 19:25 — Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
  • Isa 29:16 — Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He ha
  • Isa 29:16 — Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He ha
  • Isa 43:7 — Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
  • Isa 44:21 — Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
  • Isa 44:24 — Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
  • Isa 45:9 — 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?
  • Isa 45:9 — 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?
  • Isa 45:11 — Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
  • Isa 63:16 — Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
  • Isa 63:16 — Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
  • Jer 18:2 — Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
  • Jer 18:6 — O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
  • Jer 31:9 — They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel,
  • Jer 32:27 — Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
  • Job 10:3 — Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
  • Job 10:8 — Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
  • Job 10:9 — Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
  • John 8:41 — Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
  • Luke 3:38 — Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
  • Mal 1:6 — A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my
  • Mal 2:10 — Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
  • Matt 6:9 — After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  • Ps 33:15 — He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
  • Ps 100:3 — Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
  • Ps 119:73 — Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
  • Ps 119:94 — I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
  • Ps 138:8 — The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
  • Rom 9:20 — Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?