פירוש על ישעיהו 44:20

[To] a provider [made] of ashes, a deceived heart has perverted him His heart, which was deceived, turned him aside to make for himself a provider of ashes. The image, half of which was burned and made into ashes, this fool says that it is his provider and patron. Another explanation: רוֹעֶה אֵפֶר is an expression of companionship. One who worships idols associates himself with the idol, which is ash.

He feedeth on ashes. He is like a man who feedeth on ashes, that hurt and do no good. It may also be compared with Ephraim feedeth on wind (Hos. 12:2).³³That is, he goes after vain things.

and he shall not save [i.e.,] the misled one shall not save his soul, saying, “Is there not falsehood in my right hand?” and separate from it.

הותל Foolish.³⁴A. V., Deceived.³⁴A. V., Deceived. It i³⁵The same remark as repeatedly made by I. E. concerning the substantive. See c. 9:3. Note 4.s an adjective; the form of adjectives is not constant. The form of הותל is like that of מועדת out of joint (Prov.xxv. 19).

לב הותל הטהו A foolish heart hath turned him aside.

The verb הטה is always used in an unfavorable sense: to turn from the right way. As to the phrase אחרי רבים להטות (Ex. 23:2) I have given my opinion.³⁶The remark referred to is the following: The principle of our Sages, to decide every question by majority, is right, but it is not based on the words אחרי רבים להטות (Exod. 23:2), as some believe, since להטות is always used in a bad sense (לגנאי). These words are only brought in connection with that rule לזכר, as a mnemonicon.