Isaiah 40:22

Translations

Modern

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Traditional

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Literal

He is sitting above the circle of the earth, and its dwellers are like grasshoppers; He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and He spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Latin

Qui sedet super gyrum terræ, et habitatores ejus sunt quasi locustæ; qui extendit velut nihilum cælos, et expandit eos sicut tabernaculum ad inhabitandum;

Original

Hebrew

English

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Notes

Isaiah 40:22

God rules as king over the entire earth (see Isaiah 6:1; Psalms 2:4; 80:1; 99:1; 102:12; 113:5). God is so vast and powerful that humans seem like grasshoppers in comparison.
Believing in God as the creator of the heavens and earth opposes the common Babylonian and Egyptian belief that the sun, moon, and stars are gods.
like a curtain...a tent: See also Psalm 104:2.

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 Justice God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Proverbs 8:27
I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?
Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:
Psalm 104:2
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
Job 22:14
Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’
Jeremiah 10:12
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
Hebrews 1:10–12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,
Isaiah 51:13
But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?
Psalm 68:33
…to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.
Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
Numbers 13:33
We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”

Isaiah 40:22

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics