Isa 46:7-8 | NETfull | STEP | They put it on their shoulder and carry it; they put it in its place and it just stands there; it does not move from its place. Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply; it does not deliver him from his distress.

Isaiah 46:7-8

7 They put it on their shoulder and carry it;
they put it in its place and it just stands there;
it does not ^{▼▼ Or perhaps, “cannot,” here and in the following two lines. The imperfect forms can indicate capability.} move from its place.
Even when someone cries out to it, it does not reply;
it does not deliver him from his distress.
8 Remember this, so you can be brave! ^{▼▼ The meaning of the verb אָשַׁשׁ (’ashash, which appears here in the Hitpolel stem) is uncertain. BDB 84 s.v. אשׁשׁ relates it to a root meaning “found, establish” in Arabic; HALOT 100 s.v. II אשׁשׁ gives the meaning “pluck up courage.” The imperative with vav (ו) may indicate purpose following the preceding imperative.}
Think about it, you rebels! ^{▼▼ Heb “return [it], rebels, to heart”; NRSV “recall it to mind, you transgressors.”}