Isaiah 40:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not known? - This is evidently an address to the worshippers of idols, and either designed to be addressed to the Jews themselves in the times of Manasseh, when idolatry abounded, or to all idolaters. The prophet had in the previous verses shown the manner in which the idols were made, and the folly of regarding them as objects of worship. He now turns and addresses the worshippers of these idols, as being without excuse. They might have known that these were not the true God. They had... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 40:21-24

Isaiah 40:21-24. Have ye not known Jehovah to be the only true God, the Maker and Governor of the world, and all its inhabitants? How can ye be ignorant of so evident a truth? He addresses his speech to the idolatrous Gentiles; from the beginning Namely, of the world, as the next clause explains it: were not these infinite perfections of God manifestly discovered to all mankind, by the creation of the world? It is he that sitteth As a judge or governor upon his throne; upon, or... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:12-31

Israel’s incomparable God (40:12-31)Should any doubt God’s ability to re-establish Israel in its homeland, the psalm of praise that follows drives away those doubts. God is the great Creator; the universe appears insignificant compared with him. He does whatever he wants, without any help or advice from his creatures (12-14). Israel has no need to fear Babylon or any other ruling power, for nations also are insignificant and powerless before him (15-17). How absurd, therefore, for people to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis , for emphasis. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 40:18-26

Isaiah 40:18-26. To whom then will ye liken God?— To whom, &c. or what resemblance will ye contrive for him? Isaiah 40:19. The workman casts an image; and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and worketh silver chains: Isaiah 40:20. He who is thrifty in his oblation, chooses wood that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare him an image which will not start. Latter end of Isaiah 40:21. Have ye not considered the foundations of the earth? Isaiah 40:22. Him that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 40:21

21. ye—who worship idols. The question emphatically implies, they had known. from the beginning— (Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 41:26; Isaiah 48:16). God is the beginning (Revelation 1:8). The tradition handed down from the very first, of the creation of all things by God at the beginning, ought to convince you of His omnipotence and of the folly of idolatry. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 40:12-26

The incomparable Lord 40:12-26The preceding section answered the question that the people of Isaiah’s day had about God’s desire to deliver them. Yes, He wanted to deliver them. This section answered their question about whether He could save them. Yes, He could save them. Isaiah used the doctrine of God to assure the Judahites of their security and of God’s faithfulness. He is the sole Creator, and He is infinitely greater than the created world. The passage has two parts (Isaiah 40:12-26),... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 40:21

There are lessons that people should draw from the uniqueness of God as Creator that He has revealed. God has given both the objective revelation of Himself and the ability to understand its implications to human beings. The Israelites possessed this knowledge of God because He revealed it to them. Special revelation is in view here rather than natural revelation."According to this verse there are two reasons why men who practice idolatry are without excuse. On the one hand, the very foundation... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 40:21-26

The incomparable Sovereign 40:21-26The prophet’s emphasis shifted from God as Creator to God as Ruler, but still the point is His incomparability. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:1-22

The hope of return is grounded by the prophet upon the fact that Jehovah is the only God, the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Disposer of the fate of nations, who guides the course of history according to His will. The tone of this section is argumentative, the respective claims of Jehovah and of the heathen gods being discussed as in a court of justice. The object of the argument is to encourage the Jews in their exile by showing that, since Jehovah is thus supreme, no obstacles will be... read more

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