King James Version

What Does Isaiah 40:26 Mean?

Isaiah 40:26 in the King James Version says “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Isaiah 40:26 · KJV


Context

24

Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

25

To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

26

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

27

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The invitation to observe the stars demonstrates God's creative power and sustaining providence. He not only created the heavenly host ('tzaba'—army, suggesting organized multitude) but calls them each by name and maintains them by His great strength ('ko'ach') and mighty power ('amitz'). Not one star fails to answer His call, showing His exhaustive sovereignty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Against Babylonian astrology which worshiped celestial bodies as deities, Isaiah declares these are merely God's created servants, named and commanded by Him. The Creator surpasses His creation infinitely.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's intimate knowledge and control of the stars encourage you about His care for your details?
  2. What does it mean that the God who names and sustains billions of stars knows and sustains you personally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
שְׂאוּ1 of 20

Lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מָר֨וֹם2 of 20

on high

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

עֵינֵיכֶ֤ם3 of 20

your eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וּרְאוּ֙4 of 20

and behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מִי5 of 20
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָרָ֣א6 of 20

who hath created

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

אֵ֔לֶּה7 of 20
H428

these or those

הַמּוֹצִ֥יא8 of 20

these things that bringeth out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בְמִסְפָּ֖ר9 of 20

by number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

צְבָאָ֑ם10 of 20

their host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

לְכֻלָּם֙11 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּשֵׁ֣ם12 of 20

them all by names

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִקְרָ֔א13 of 20

he calleth

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

מֵרֹ֤ב14 of 20

by the greatness

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

אוֹנִים֙15 of 20

of his might

H202

ability, power, (figuratively) wealth

וְאַמִּ֣יץ16 of 20

for that he is strong

H533

strong or (abstractly) strength

כֹּ֔חַ17 of 20

in power

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

אִ֖ישׁ18 of 20

not one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֹ֥א19 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֶעְדָּֽר׃20 of 20

faileth

H5737

to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 40:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 40:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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