Isaiah 40:18

KJV

¶ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

KJV (with Strong's)

To whom then will ye liken {H1819} God {H410}? or what likeness {H1823} will ye compare {H6186} unto him?

Complete Jewish Bible

With whom, then, will you compare God? By what standard will you evaluate him?

Berean Standard Bible

To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?

American Standard Version

To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:18 poses a profound rhetorical challenge, inviting humanity to contemplate the utter uniqueness and absolute incomparability of God. This verse serves as a powerful theological declaration, asserting God's supreme transcendence and infinite nature in stark contrast to any created thing or human construct. It underscores the futility and impiety of attempting to confine the divine within finite conceptualizations or physical representations, thereby laying a foundational truth for authentic worship and a proper understanding of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40:18 is strategically positioned within the majestic opening section of Isaiah chapter 40, often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." This chapter commences with a message of profound hope and restoration for the exiled people of Israel, promising divine comfort and an end to their period of servitude, as declared in [Isaiah 40:1-2](/isaiah/40-1-2 "Isaiah 40:1-2 - Comfort for Jerusalem's Exiles"). Immediately preceding this verse, Isaiah delivers a breathtaking portrayal of God's unparalleled power and wisdom as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos—He who measures the waters in the hollow of His hand, metes out heaven with a span, and weighs the mountains in scales, as vividly described in [Isaiah 40:12](/isaiah/40-12 "Isaiah 40:12 - God's Cosmic Power and Wisdom"). The verse thus functions as a climactic rhetorical flourish, solidifying the preceding descriptions of God's omnipotence and omniscience by challenging any notion of an equal or comparable entity. It sets the stage for further denunciations of idolatry and powerful affirmations of God's singular sovereignty, which continue throughout [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's Incomparable Power").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 40 is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despair, theological crisis, and cultural assimilation pressure for the Judeans. Stripped of their temple, land, and king, they faced the overwhelming might of the Babylonian empire and its extensive pantheon of gods. In this environment, the temptation to question Yahweh's power or to assimilate with the dominant polytheistic culture was immense. The surrounding cultures, including Babylon, were deeply steeped in polytheism and the widespread practice of creating elaborate idols to represent their deities. These idols were often seen as embodying the god's presence or power, or as a means to manipulate divine favor. Isaiah 40:18 directly confronts this pervasive idolatry, reminding the disheartened exiles that their God, Yahweh, is fundamentally different from and infinitely superior to the impotent, man-made gods of Babylon. It was a crucial message designed to re-establish confidence in God's unique identity and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people amidst a foreign land and alien religious practices.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Isaiah 40:18 is **God's Incomparability**. It emphatically declares that the Creator God is utterly unique, transcendent, and beyond any human capacity to fully comprehend or represent. He stands alone in His majesty, power, and essence, fundamentally distinct from all creation. This leads directly to the **Rejection of Idolatry**, as any attempt to "liken" God to a created image or mental construct diminishes His infinite nature and violates the spirit of the [Second Commandment](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment Against Idolatry"). The verse also powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, underscoring God's absolute control over all creation and His limitless power, which far surpasses any human or earthly entity. By highlighting God's singular nature and boundless power, as seen throughout [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - God's Comfort and Incomparability"), the verse ultimately serves as a **Call to True Worship**, urging believers to worship Him in spirit and truth, acknowledging His transcendence and not limiting Him to our finite understanding or human-centric expectations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **liken (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** From the primitive root H1819, this word means "to compare," "to resemble," or "to consider." In this context, it challenges the very notion of finding an equivalent or a parallel to God. The act of "likening" implies a search for similarity, but the rhetorical question asserts that no such similarity exists. It's not merely about physical appearance but about essence, power, and nature, emphasizing God's unique and unmatched being.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** Derived from H410, this term refers to "strength" or "might," often used as a designation for the Almighty, though it can also refer to other deities. Here, its use in conjunction with the challenge of comparison emphasizes the unique and supreme power of Yahweh, distinguishing Him from any other "god" or mighty one. It highlights His inherent, uncreated strength and authority, which sets Him apart from all created beings and false deities.
* **compare (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** From the primitive root H6186, this word means "to set in a row," "to arrange," "to put in order," or "to estimate" and "value." In the context of comparison, it implies setting two things side-by-side to evaluate their relative worth, attributes, or status. The rhetorical question using `ʻârak` reinforces the idea that no entity can even be placed on the same scale as God for a meaningful comparison, let alone be found equal. It underscores the qualitative, rather than merely quantitative, difference between God and all else.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To whom then will ye liken God?":** This opening clause is a direct, confrontational rhetorical question. It challenges the listener to identify any being, object, or concept in existence that could possibly stand in comparison to the Creator of the universe. The implied answer is a resounding "no one." It forces a consideration of God's transcendence—His absolute otherness and superiority to everything He has made or that humanity can conceive. This question aims to dismantle any anthropomorphic or idolatrous notions of God, emphasizing His unique and incomparable nature.
* **"or what likeness will ye compare unto him?":** This second clause functions as a parallel rhetorical question, reinforcing the first. While the first asks *who* could be compared, this asks *what kind of image or form* could possibly represent Him. The word "likeness" (H1823, _dᵉmûwth_) refers to resemblance, model, or shape. This clause specifically targets the futility of creating idols or mental images of God, asserting that no created form, no matter how grand, can capture the essence of the infinite, uncreated God. It underscores the qualitative difference between God and all creation, rendering any attempt at comparison or representation utterly inadequate and ultimately blasphemous.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:18 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**. The prophet poses two questions ("To whom then will ye liken God?" and "or what likeness will ye compare unto him?") that are not meant to be answered, but rather to provoke deep reflection and to affirm a self-evident truth: there is no one and nothing comparable to God. This technique powerfully engages the audience, leading them to an inescapable conclusion about God's absolute uniqueness and supremacy. Closely related is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first using different but related vocabulary ("liken God" and "compare unto him," "whom" and "what likeness"). This repetition serves to underscore the central theme of God's incomparability, driving the point home with emphasis and poetic force. The verse also employs **Antithesis** implicitly, setting the infinite, incomparable God against the finite, created things that humans might attempt to use for comparison, thereby highlighting the vast, unbridgeable chasm between the Creator and creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:18 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the fundamental nature of God: His utter transcendence and incomparability. This truth is not merely an abstract theological concept but a foundational premise for all true worship and a crucial safeguard against idolatry in all its forms. The verse asserts that God is not merely the greatest among many, but truly in a category of His own, qualitatively distinct from anything in creation. This divine uniqueness underpins His sovereignty, His omnipotence, and His absolute authority over all things. To attempt to "liken" Him to anything is to diminish His glory and fundamentally misunderstand His essence, reducing the infinite Creator to finite terms. This profound truth calls believers to humility and awe, recognizing that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own, demanding worship that acknowledges His boundless nature.
* [Jeremiah 10:6-7](/jeremiah/10-6-7 "Jeremiah 10:6-7 - God's Incomparable Greatness and Dominion")
* [Psalm 89:6](/psalm/89-6 "Psalm 89:6 - Who Can Compare to the Lord?")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Unsearchable Wisdom and Knowledge of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with images, information, and constantly shifting values, Isaiah 40:18 remains profoundly relevant, challenging us to re-evaluate our understanding and perception of God. While we may no longer bow to physical idols of wood or stone, modern society presents numerous "likenesses" to which we might inadvertently compare or confine God. These can include our own limited experiences, cultural norms, personal preferences, political ideologies, or even our expectations of how God "should" operate based on our human logic. This verse calls us to dismantle any mental constructs that reduce God to a manageable, predictable, or human-sized entity. It compels us to expand our view of His majesty, power, and wisdom, acknowledging that He is infinitely greater than our grandest conceptions and that His ways are often beyond our full comprehension. True application involves cultivating a posture of humble awe, recognizing that God's transcendence means His ways are often beyond our full comprehension, yet His character remains perfectly trustworthy. This leads to a deeper, more authentic worship that is rooted in His boundless nature rather than our finite understanding or desires, fostering a faith that trusts in His sovereign control even when circumstances seem chaotic or inexplicable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "likenesses" or mental images might I be using to inadvertently limit my understanding of God?**
* **How does acknowledging God's absolute incomparability impact my prayers, my trust in His providence, and my daily acts of worship?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently placing something or someone on par with God, thereby diminishing His unique supremacy and rightful place?**

### FAQ

**Why does God ask rhetorical questions if He already knows the answer?**

Answer: God, being omniscient, certainly knows the answer to the questions posed in Isaiah 40:18. The use of rhetorical questions in Scripture is a powerful literary and pedagogical device. It is not for God's benefit, but for humanity's. Such questions serve to engage the audience, compelling them to think deeply and arrive at the intended conclusion themselves. In this case, the questions "To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?" are designed to highlight the absolute incomparability of God, making the listener confront the futility of attempting to measure or represent the infinite Creator with anything finite. It forces a realization of His unique majesty and power, thereby strengthening faith and correcting idolatrous tendencies, as seen in other passages like [Job 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job") where God challenges Job's understanding.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of humanity being made in God's image?**

Answer: While Isaiah 40:18 emphasizes God's absolute incomparability and the futility of likening Him to anything, the concept of humanity being made in God's image ([Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26-27 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity in God's Image")) speaks to a different aspect of God's relationship with creation. Being made in God's image (imago Dei) does not mean humanity is a "likeness" to which God can be compared in terms of His divine essence or power. Rather, it signifies that humans possess certain capacities that reflect God's character, such as rationality, morality, creativity, relationality, and dominion over creation. It speaks to our unique dignity and purpose as His representatives on earth. Isaiah 40:18 warns against reducing God to human terms or creating physical representations of Him, while Genesis 1:26-27 elevates humanity by showing our unique, though finite, reflection of His attributes, setting us apart from the rest of creation. The two concepts are not contradictory but complementary, defining the vastness of God and the special place of humanity within His created order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:18's declaration of God's utter incomparability finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently proclaimed that no one and nothing could be likened to the invisible God, yet in the New Testament, we encounter Jesus, who is described as "the image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). While God cannot be compared to any created thing, He chose to reveal His incomparable essence through His Son, who is both fully God and fully man. Jesus is the very "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), making the otherwise unlikenable God knowable and relatable. He is the unique bridge between the transcendent Creator and humanity, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Christ Reveals the Father")). In Christ, the incomparable God steps into human history, not to be compared *to* creation, but to redeem it, demonstrating His unique power and love in a way that transcends all human understanding and fulfills the very longing for a knowable divine presence that Isaiah's rhetorical question implicitly highlights. Through Christ, we can truly know and worship the incomparable God.

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

Isaiah 46:5

¶ To whom will ye liken me, and make [me] equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

1 Samuel 2:2

[There is] none holy as the LORD: for [there is] none beside thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God.

Exodus 15:11

Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

Acts 17:29

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Isaiah 40:25

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

Psalms 89:6

For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

Jeremiah 10:6

Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might.