Note: in this passage the foolishness of worshipping a tree stump is specified in three parallel sections. In the first there is – burn, warm, bake bread and idolatry; in the second the order is – burn, roast flesh, warm, idolatry; in the third – burn, bake bread, roast flesh, idolatry. The three are overlapping but distinct. The central point is in verses 18-19.
A1. a. 15 Then shall it be for a man to burn:
b. for he will take thereof, and warm himself;
c. yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread;
d. yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it;
he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
A2. a’. 16 He burneth part thereof in the fire;
e. with part thereof he eateth flesh;
he roasteth roast, and is satisfied:
b’. yea, he warmeth himself,and saith,
Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
d’.17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god,
even his graven image:
he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it,
and prayeth unto it, and saith,
Deliver me; for thou art my god.
B. i. 18 They have not known nor understood (biyn):
ii. for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see;
and their hearts, that they cannot understand (sakal).
ii’. 19 And none considereth in his heart,
i’. neither is there knowledge nor understanding
(tabun – from biyn) to say,
A3.
a’’.I have burned part of it in the fire;
b’’. yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof;
e’. I have roasted flesh, and eaten it:
d’’’. and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination?
shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
20 He feedeth on ashes:
a deceived heart hath turned him aside,
that he cannot deliver his soul,
nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?