Isaiah 40:18

18 cui ergo similem fecistis Deum aut quam imaginem ponetis ei

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 et Libanus non sufficiet ad succendendum et animalia eius non sufficient ad holocaustum
17 omnes gentes quasi non sint sic sunt coram eo et quasi nihilum et inane reputatae sunt ei
18 cui ergo similem fecistis Deum aut quam imaginem ponetis ei
19 numquid sculptile conflavit faber aut aurifex auro figuravit illud et lamminis argenteis argentarius
20 forte lignum et inputribile elegit artifex sapiens quaerit quomodo statuat simulacrum quod non moveatur
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.