Isaiah 40:18

Translations

Modern

To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?

Traditional

To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Literal

And to whom would you liken God? And what likeness will you arrange for Him?

Latin

Cui ergo similem fecisti Deum? aut quam imaginem ponetis ei?

Original

Hebrew

English

To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?

Notes

Isaiah 40:18

To whom … what image: Earlier in the book, Isaiah showed that idolatry is foolish and empty (Isaiah 16:12; 37:16–19). Isaiah 40–48, he gives a much longer argument against it.
An idol is an object that people make to represent a god or a religious idea. But these objects are made by human hands. Those who worship them do not see that they are only things people have made.
Idols have no power (Isaiah 41:7, 22–24; 48:14). They give people a false feeling of safety (Isaiah 42:17). They mislead people and cause deep disappointment (Isaiah 44:20; 42:17; 45:16, 20). They cannot save or protect anyone.
In fact, idols are so weak that they can fall over (Isaiah 40:20; 41:7). They compete with God’s glory (Isaiah 42:8). They also lower human dignity, because people bow down to things they have made (44:9; see also 41:21–29).
The Lord, the true God, is not like idols. No one can compare to him (see Isaiah 40:25; 46:5; Psalms 86:8; 89:6). He is completely unique and without equal.

Isaiah 40:1–31

This chapter introduces chapters 40–66. In this section, comfort means the result of God's merciful actions toward people in the future. It includes encouragement, strength, and acceptance.

God wants to rescue his people (Isaiah 40:1–11) and is fully capable of doing so (40:12–26). The exiles needed to trust God's promises and wait for their rescue (Isaiah 40:27–31; see also 30:15–18).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Inscrutable Purposes in History God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 46:5
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?
1 Samuel 2:2
There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.
Isaiah 40:25
“To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One.
Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?
Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
Psalm 89:6
For who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?
Jeremiah 10:6
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.
Exodus 8:10
“Tomorrow,” Pharaoh answered. “May it be as you say,” Moses replied, “so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
Job 40:9
Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?
Exodus 9:14
Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.
Psalm 89:8
O LORD God of Hosts, who is like You? O mighty LORD, Your faithfulness surrounds You.

Parallels

Romans 11:33–36

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Book of Baruch Isaiah, Book of New Creation, New Creature Ransom

Topics

God: Incomprehensible Idolatry: Folly of Select Readings: The Omnipotence and Incomparableness of God

Isaiah 40:18

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Related verses?

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Glossary?

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Translations

Original

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Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics