Isaiah 40:16

KJV

And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Lebanon {H3844} is not {H369} sufficient {H1767} to burn {H1197}, nor the beasts {H2416} thereof sufficient {H1767} for a burnt offering {H5930}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The L'vanon would not suffice for fuel or its animals be enough for burnt offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering.

American Standard Version

And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:16 powerfully declares the immeasurable greatness and majesty of God by asserting that even the vast resources of Lebanon—its abundant forests for fuel and its numerous beasts for sacrifice—would be utterly insufficient to constitute a worthy burnt offering for Him. This verse serves as a profound rhetorical statement, highlighting the infinite gap between humanity's grandest possible offerings and the transcendent glory of the Almighty Creator, thereby calling for a worship rooted in awe and humility rather than material contribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), which opens with a message of hope and restoration for Israel after their impending exile in Babylon. Chapters 40-48 primarily establish God's incomparable sovereignty, power, and unique identity as the only true God, contrasting Him sharply with the impotent idols of the nations. Preceding [Isaiah 40:16](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - The Insufficiency of Earthly Offerings"), Isaiah has already posed a series of rhetorical questions in [Isaiah 40:12-14](/isaiah/40-12 "Isaiah 40:12-14 - God's Unfathomable Wisdom and Power"), challenging anyone to measure God's Spirit, instruct Him, or offer Him counsel. Verse 16 extends this line of argumentation, using a vivid illustration to underscore the absolute inability of creation to adequately honor or appease such an infinitely great God, thereby setting the stage for subsequent declarations of God's unmatched power to deliver His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered in Judah during the 8th century BCE, a period marked by political instability and the looming threat of Assyrian and later Babylonian empires. "Lebanon" ([H3844 Lᵉbânôwn](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - Lebanon")) was renowned in the ancient Near East for its majestic cedar forests, which were highly prized for construction (e.g., Solomon's Temple, [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Solomon's Request for Cedar from Lebanon")) and for fuel. It was also known for its abundant wildlife. The "burnt offering" (`ʻôlâh`, [H5930](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - Burnt Offering")) was a central ritual in Israelite worship, symbolizing complete dedication to God, where an entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar. By invoking Lebanon and its resources, Isaiah draws upon imagery of the greatest possible earthly wealth and sacrifice, making the point that even these vast, valuable offerings pale in comparison to God's worth.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's Glory") is the **incomparable majesty and sovereignty of God**. Verse 16 vividly portrays God's infinite worth and power, so vast that no material wealth or sacrifice from creation could ever be sufficient to truly honor Him. This underscores God's unrivaled supremacy over all creation and all nations, as further emphasized in [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18 - To Whom Then Will You Liken God?"). Closely related is the theme of the **insufficiency of human offerings**. The imagery of Lebanon's vast cedars for fuel and its abundant animals for sacrifice highlights that human capacity, even at its most extravagant, falls infinitely short of being a worthy offering for the Almighty. This leads to the theme of **true worship and awe**, which is not about the scale of our material gifts but the profound reverence and humility of hearts recognizing God's overwhelming greatness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sufficient (Hebrew, _day'_):** [H1767](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - Sufficient") - Of uncertain derivation; enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases; able, according to, after (ability), among, as (oft as), (more than) enough, from, in, since, (much as is) sufficient(-ly), too much, very, when. In this context, "sufficient" directly conveys the idea of inadequacy or falling short, emphasizing that even the most abundant earthly resources are quantitatively and qualitatively insufficient to meet the divine standard of worthiness for a burnt offering.
* **to burn (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** [H1197](/isaiah/40/16 "Isaiah 40:16 - To Burn") - A primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. This verb refers to the act of consuming by fire, specifically the complete consumption of the sacrifice on the altar. The implication is that even if all the wood from Lebanon were used as fuel, it would not be enough to fully consume an offering worthy of God, or perhaps, the sheer scale of fuel needed for such an offering is beyond earthly supply.
* **burnt offering (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** [H5930](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - Burnt Offering") - Or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. This term specifies the type of sacrifice, a "holocaust" where the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication. The verse declares that even the vast animal population of Lebanon would not be enough to provide a truly sufficient offering of this kind for God, highlighting the infinite nature of His glory that transcends any earthly act of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn":** This clause establishes the first aspect of insufficiency. Lebanon, famed for its dense forests of majestic cedars, represented the pinnacle of natural resources for fuel. Yet, the prophet declares that even this immense supply of wood is "not sufficient" to fuel a sacrifice commensurate with God's glory. The implied scale of such a divine offering is so vast that no earthly forest, no matter how grand, could provide enough fuel.
* **"nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering":** The second clause extends the argument to the sacrificial animals themselves. Beyond the fuel, the very beasts of Lebanon—its abundant wildlife—are also deemed "not sufficient" to serve as a worthy burnt offering. This emphasizes that no quantity or quality of animal sacrifice, even from the most fertile and populous regions, could ever adequately atone for sin or fully honor the infinite holiness and majesty of God. Both clauses together paint a picture of utter human inadequacy in the face of divine transcendence.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Hyperbole** is central, as the statement that even the vast resources of Lebanon are insufficient is an intentional exaggeration designed to emphasize God's immeasurable greatness. The prophet uses **Metonymy** by referring to "Lebanon" to represent its renowned cedars and abundant wildlife, which were symbols of wealth and natural grandeur. The verse itself functions as an implied **Rhetorical Question**, building upon the direct questions in preceding verses (e.g., "Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord?", [Isaiah 40:13](/isaiah/40-13 "Isaiah 40:13 - God's Unsearchable Wisdom")). It implicitly asks, "If even Lebanon is insufficient, what *is* sufficient?" The answer, of course, is nothing earthly. Finally, there is a strong sense of **Antithesis** or contrast between the finite, albeit vast, resources of the created world and the infinite, transcendent glory of the Creator. This stark contrast underscores the absolute uniqueness and incomparable nature of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:16 is a powerful testament to God's absolute transcendence and self-sufficiency, challenging any notion that human efforts or material offerings could ever truly add to His glory or earn His favor. It reveals a God whose worth is so infinite that all of creation's combined resources fall infinitely short of being an adequate tribute. This truth humbles humanity, stripping away any pride in our contributions and redirecting our focus to God's inherent majesty. The verse implicitly highlights the inadequacy of the Old Testament sacrificial system, not in its divine design, but in its inability to perfectly or permanently atone for sin or fully express the boundless honor due to God. It prepares the reader for a greater, more perfect sacrifice that would truly satisfy divine justice and perfectly glorify God.

* [Psalm 50:10-12](/psalm/50-10 "Psalm 50:10-12 - God Owns Everything") - "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."
* [Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God Needs Nothing from Man") - "Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things."
* [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices") - "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:16 serves as a profound call to humility and a reorientation of our understanding of worship. It dismantles any illusion that our material possessions, grandest efforts, or most fervent religious acts could ever "impress" or adequately repay God for His holiness and goodness. True worship, therefore, must flow from a deep recognition of His overwhelming greatness and our utter dependence, not from a sense of what we can offer. This verse encourages us to cultivate an attitude of profound awe and reverence, realizing that God does not need anything from us, but graciously invites us into a relationship where our offering is not of external things, but of our very selves—our hearts, our obedience, and our lives transformed by His grace. It challenges us to examine our motivations in worship and service: are we trying to give God something He needs, or are we responding in humble adoration to the One who is infinitely sufficient in Himself?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of Lebanon's insufficiency challenge your own assumptions about what constitutes "worthy" worship or service to God?**
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, try to "pay back" or "impress" God with our efforts or possessions, rather than simply offering ourselves in humble adoration?**
* **If God needs nothing from us, what then is the true nature and purpose of our worship and spiritual disciplines?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Lebanon" in this verse?**

Answer: Lebanon, particularly its famous cedar forests and abundant wildlife, was a symbol of immense natural wealth and grandeur in the ancient world. The prophet Isaiah uses it as the ultimate example of earthly resources. By stating that even Lebanon's vast timber is "not sufficient to burn" for a worthy sacrifice, and its many beasts are "not sufficient for a burnt offering," the verse employs hyperbole to emphasize God's infinite majesty. It means that no matter how grand or abundant human offerings might be, they would still fall infinitely short of being adequate for a God of such transcendent glory. It highlights the vast disparity between human capacity and divine worth.

**Does this verse imply that Old Testament sacrifices were pointless or ineffective?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that Old Testament sacrifices were pointless. They were divinely instituted and served a crucial purpose within the covenant, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice to come. However, [Isaiah 40:16](/isaiah/40-16 "Isaiah 40:16 - The Insufficiency of Earthly Offerings") highlights their *inherent insufficiency* to perfectly atone for sin or fully express the boundless honor due to God. Animal sacrifices could cover sins temporarily and point to a greater reality, but they could not truly "take away" sins ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")) or fully satisfy God's infinite holiness. The verse underscores that the value of the offering was not in the animal itself, but in the obedient heart and in its prophetic pointing to the perfect sacrifice.

**How does this verse relate to God's self-sufficiency?**

Answer: This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute self-sufficiency. By declaring that even the grandest earthly offerings are insufficient for Him, it implicitly states that God needs nothing from humanity or creation to sustain His being, power, or glory. He is complete in Himself, the source of all life and blessing, rather than dependent on anything outside of Himself. This truth is echoed in the New Testament, such as in [Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God Needs Nothing from Man"), which states that God "is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:16, in its stark declaration of the utter insufficiency of any earthly offering, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though commanded by God, could only point to the need for a greater, once-for-all atonement, as the blood of bulls and goats could never truly take away sins ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). The prophet's words reveal that no amount of wood, no multitude of animals, no human effort, no matter how vast or valuable, could ever be sufficient to reconcile humanity to a holy God or fully glorify His infinite majesty. This profound inadequacy of earthly offerings sets the stage for the New Covenant, where God Himself provides the perfect Lamb. Jesus Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the truly sufficient and final sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). His offering was not of beasts or trees, but of His own sinless life, perfectly fulfilling all righteousness and satisfying divine justice. Thus, what all the cedars of Lebanon and all its beasts could never accomplish, the single, perfect sacrifice of Christ achieved, perfectly glorifying God and providing eternal redemption for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice")). He is the only offering truly sufficient to bridge the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

Micah 6:7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

Psalms 40:6

¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Psalms 50:9

I will take no bullock out of thy house, [nor] he goats out of thy folds.

Psalms 50:12

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

Hebrews 10:5

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Hebrews 10:10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].