Verses 19-20 are full of satire concerning idols, especially their construction.

The idol! appears to be the answer to the previous question in Revised Standard Version. However, in Hebrew this expression occurs at the beginning of the verse to mark it as a new topic. It is in focus. It is better rendered “As for an idol” (New International Version) or “An idol?” (New Revised Standard Version, Bible en français courant; similarly Contemporary English Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). We could also say “What about an idol?” The use of the definite article The with idol does not mean one specific idol is in view but rather all idols, so it is better translated “an idol” or even “any idol.” The Hebrew word rendered idol is different from the one used in 2.8 (see the comments there). The term here refers to an image of a god that is made out of wood, stone, clay, or metal. This same word is translated “image” in the end of the next verse, so it forms an inclusio for the response in verses 19-20. Revised English Bible has “image” in both verses, which may be better. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch uses a special German word, which is literally “god-statue.”

A workman casts it begins a description of the way idols are made. The Hebrew word for workman refers to someone with a special skill, such as a craftsman or artisan (see, for example, Exo 35.35; Deut 27.15). The Hebrew verb rendered casts refers to pouring molten metal into a mold to form the idol. In languages where there is no special term for “casting in metal,” translators may use a general verb such as “make” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible), “shape” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “form.”

And a goldsmith overlays it with gold is the next step in making the idol. After the basic shape of the image is made of metal, a metalworker beats gold as thin as paper and applies it to image (see 30.22). The Hebrew participle rendered goldsmith is not a specific term for one who works with gold; rather, it describes anyone who works with metal. “Metalworker” (Good News Translation), “metalsmith,” or “smith” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) is more accurate. The phrase with gold indicates what metal he is using here. The Hebrew verb rendered overlays refers to the process of beating gold into a thin sheet to apply to the idol. Good News Translation uses the general verb “cover,” which is acceptable.

And casts for it silver chains: The same metalworker completes the idol by making silver chains for it. The Hebrew verb rendered casts comes from the same root as the noun for goldsmith. The smith beats silver into loops to make chains. This verb may be rendered “fashions” (New International Version) or “makes” (New Century Version). The purpose for the silver chains is uncertain. They are decorative in Bible en français courant, which renders this line as “and decorated with little chains of silver” (similarly Contemporary English Version). However, they may have been used to chain the idol to the floor. Archeologists have found examples of images that were chained to the floor of their temple. The plural form of chains seems to hint at this rather than at the idea of decoration. This could be explained in a footnote. For this line Good News Translation has “and set in a base of silver,” but no other translation consulted adopts this exegesis.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• An idol? After an artisan has cast it,
a smith beats the gold to cover it,
and he fashions silver chains for it.

• As for an idol, a craftsman fashions it,
then a metalworker beats its gold [covering]
and makes silver chains for it.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .