Isaiah 40:25
Isaiah 40:25 in Multiple Translations
“To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One.
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal to him? saith the Holy One.
Who then seems to you to be my equal? says the Holy One.
“Who are you going to compare me with? Who is equal to me?” asks the Holy One.
To whom nowe will ye liken me, that I should be like him, saith the Holy one?
And unto whom do ye liken Me, And [am] I equal? saith the Holy One.
“To whom then will you liken me? Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equaled? saith the Holy One.
And to whom have ye likened me, or made me equal, saith the Holy One?
The Holy One asks, “To whom will you compare me? Is anyone equal to me?”
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 40:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 40:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶל
מִ֥י
תְדַמְּי֖וּ/נִי
וְ/אֶשְׁוֶ֑ה
יֹאמַ֖ר
קָדֽוֹשׁ
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Conj | Prep
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
תְדַמְּי֖וּ/נִי
dâmâh
H1819
to resemble
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp | Suff
וְ/אֶשְׁוֶ֑ה
shâvâh
H7737
be like
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
יֹאמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
קָדֽוֹשׁ
qâdôwsh
H6918
holy
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 40:25
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
תְדַמְּי֖וּ/נִי
dâmâh
H1819
"to resemble"
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp | Suff
To resemble means to compare or liken something, often used to describe a similarity. In the Bible, this word is used to make comparisons or analogies, like in the parables of Jesus where he compares the kingdom of God to everyday things.
Definition: 1) to be like, resemble 1a) (Qal) to be like, resemble 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to liken, compare 1b2) to imagine, think 1c) (Hithpael) to make oneself like 1d) (Niphal) Aramaic equivalent: de.mah (דְּמָה "be like" H1821)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: compare, devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think, use similitudes. See also: Numbers 33:56; Song of Solomon 8:14; Psalms 48:10.
וְ/אֶשְׁוֶ֑ה
shâvâh
H7737
"be like"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This word means to set or place something, and it is used to describe the act of leveling or equalizing something. It can also mean to adjust or compare things, and it is used in various contexts in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be like 1a2) equivalent (participle) 1a3) to set, place 1a4) setting (participle) 1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still 1c) (Hiphil) to make like 1d) (Nithpael) to be alike Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon. See also: 2 Samuel 22:34; Psalms 131:2; Psalms 16:8.
יֹאמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
קָדֽוֹשׁ
qâdôwsh
H6918
"holy"
Adj
Holy means set apart or sacred, used to describe God, angels, and saints. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things or people dedicated to God's service, like the Temple in Jerusalem or the prophets who spoke on God's behalf.
Definition: : holy sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: holy (One), saint. See also: Exodus 19:6; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 16:3.
Study Notes — Isaiah 40:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 40:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:25
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
- Sermons on Isaiah 40:25
Context — Here Is Your God!
23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.
24No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.
25“To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?” asks the Holy One.
26Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 40:18 | To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 4:33 | Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived? |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 4:15–18 | So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female, of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air, or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 5:8 | You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. |
Isaiah 40:25 Summary
Isaiah 40:25 is a powerful reminder that God is one-of-a-kind and can't be compared to anyone or anything else. He's the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe, and we're just His creation (see Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 95:6). When we recognize God's uniqueness and greatness, it helps us trust Him more and rely on His power and wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By acknowledging God's sovereignty, we can live with humility, gratitude, and a deeper sense of reverence for our amazing God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Isaiah 40:25?
The main point of Isaiah 40:25 is that God is unique and incomparable, as He asks, 'To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?' This emphasizes His sovereignty and power, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 86:8-10 and Isaiah 46:5.
Why does God ask this question in Isaiah 40:25?
God asks this question to highlight His transcendence and majesty, reminding us of our limitations and finitude, as stated in Romans 11:33-36, and to encourage us to trust and reverence Him.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
Isaiah 40:25 encourages us to recognize God's greatness and our place in the world, leading to humility and dependence on Him, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:7.
What does it mean to 'liken' God to someone or something?
To 'liken' God to someone or something means to compare or equate Him with a created being or thing, which is impossible according to Isaiah 40:25, as God is the Creator and we are His creation, as seen in Genesis 1:1 and Romans 1:25.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have tried to 'liken' God to something or someone in my life, and how has that affected my relationship with Him?
- How does recognizing God's uniqueness and power affect my trust in Him during difficult times?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's majesty, as expressed in Isaiah 40:25?
- What are some practical ways I can apply the truth of God's sovereignty in my daily life, as taught in this verse and other scriptures like Psalm 103:19 and Matthew 28:18?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:25
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal, saith the Holy One?] Or be upon a level with?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:25
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. To whom then will ye liken me? - resuming Isaiah 40:18.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
He repeateth what he said , that he might oblige them to the more serious and frequent consideration of the absurdity of the idolatry.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Ver. 25. To whom then will ye liken me?] See Isaiah 40:18-19.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:25
25. To whom then] Exactly as in Isaiah 40:18, and following a similar idea. or shall I be equal?] Or, as R.V., “that I should be equal to him?”the Holy One] Qâdôsh, without the art., almost like a proper name. So Job 6:10; Habakkuk 3:3, and perhaps Psalms 22:3.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:25
To whom then will ye liken me? - (See Isaiah 40:18) The prophet having thus set forth the majesty and glory of God, asks now with great emphasis, what could be an adequate and proper representation of such a God.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:25
25, 26. To whom… shall I be equal — As compared with miserable idols? The prophet calls for answer. To whom, of all they know, will they now compare the great Jehovah?
Sermons on Isaiah 40:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Praise and Thanksgiving: Praise the Creator by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Revelation chapter 4 and highlights the central theme of worship in heaven. The chapter describes John's arrival in heaven, where he sees a |
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Don’t Let Discouragement Take Your Strength by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. The Israelites are faced with a fortified city that they don't have the weaponry to fight agai |
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The Holiness of God by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of the holiness of God. He emphasizes that holiness is not just a characteristic of God, but it also represents His will for His cre |
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Passionate for God's Holiness - Part 2 by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the transformative power of understanding and embracing the holiness of God in our lives. It explores how the vision of God's holiness can be a rock and sour |
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Of the Holiness of God. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the holiness of God as an essential and immutable attribute that defines His nature and essence. He explains that God's holiness is the foundation of His perfe |
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Attributes of God #10 "The Perfection of God" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the perfection of God, arguing that true beauty and excellence can only be found in Him. He reflects on the gains and losses in modern Christianity, noting th |
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Rest Only in God by W.R. Inge | W.R. Inge emphasizes that true comfort and fulfillment can only be found in God, as all earthly comforts are temporary and lacking. He highlights that God's comfort is complete and |