Isaiah 40:18

18 With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?

Isaiah 40:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
ESV
18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?
NLT
18 To whom can you compare God? What image can you find to resemble him?
MSG
18 So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare him?
CSB
18 Who will you compare God with? What likeness will you compare Him to?

Isaiah 40:18 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 40:18

To whom then will ye liken God?
&c.] There is nothing in the whole creation that can bear any resemblance to him, or he to them; since all nations are as a drop of the bucket, as the small dust of the balance, as nothing, yea, less than nothing, and vanity: "or what likeness will ye compare unto him", F23 order, ordain, and appoint for him? in what rank can he be placed? to what class of beings can he be likened? what similitude can be given of him? what is there that is fit to be named with him, or compared to him? this, with what follows, is mentioned as an antidote to prevent the Jews falling into idolatry in Babylon, where they would be exposed unto it; or rather to prevent Christians in Gospel times from going into the idolatry of the Papists; see ( Acts 17:28 Acts 17:29 ) ( Revelation 19:20 Revelation 19:21 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F23 (wl wkret twmd hmw) "et quid similitudinis ponetis ei", Pagninus; "ordinabitis", Montanus; "disponetis", Vatablus.

Isaiah 40:18 In-Context

16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 8:10; S 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 46:5
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 4:15; Acts 17:29
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