Isaiah 40:26

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lift up {H5375} your eyes {H5869} on high {H4791}, and behold {H7200} who hath created {H1254} these things, that bringeth out {H3318} their host {H6635} by number {H4557}: he calleth {H7121} them all by names {H8034} by the greatness {H7230} of his might {H202}, for that he is strong {H533} in power {H3581}; not one {H376} faileth {H5737}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Turn your eyes to the heavens! See who created these? He brings out the army of them in sequence, summoning each by name. Through his great might and his massive strength, not one of them is missing.

Berean Standard Bible

Lift 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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:26 stands as a majestic declaration of God's unparalleled sovereignty, omnipotence, and meticulous care over all creation. As part of a larger message of comfort and restoration for a despondent Israel, the prophet directs their gaze heavenward, inviting them to contemplate the Creator who not only brought the vast celestial host into existence but also meticulously orders, numbers, and names every star. This profound assertion of divine power and unwavering faithfulness provides an irrefutable foundation for trust, assuring God's people that His plans and promises are as unfailing as the cosmic order He sustains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40 inaugurates the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) within the prophecy of Isaiah, marking a dramatic shift from earlier pronouncements of judgment to themes of hope, redemption, and restoration for Israel. The chapter opens with the tender command, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God" [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - God's Comfort for Israel"), directly addressing a nation grappling with the trauma of exile and questioning God's faithfulness and power. Against this backdrop of national despair and theological doubt, Isaiah systematically contrasts the fleeting nature of humanity and the futility of idols with the eternal, incomparable, and all-sufficient God. Verse 26, therefore, functions as a climactic rhetorical question and assertion, providing irrefutable evidence of God's absolute dominion over creation. It establishes the divine capacity to fulfill promises, directly preceding and laying the groundwork for further declarations of God's strength and His ability to empower the faint, as seen in [Isaiah 40:29-31](/isaiah/40-29-31 "Isaiah 40:29-31 - God Gives Power to the Faint and Weary").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary audience for Isaiah 40 was either experiencing or anticipating the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation and spiritual crisis for Israel. They were immersed in the polytheistic cultures of the ancient Near East, particularly Babylon, where astral worship was prevalent. Deities like Marduk and Ishtar were often associated with celestial bodies, and astrological practices heavily influenced daily life. In this environment, Isaiah's declaration that Yahweh alone "bringeth out their host by number" and "calleth them all by names" was a radical and direct challenge to the supremacy of any other god or cosmic force. It asserted Yahweh's unique and exclusive sovereignty over the heavens, dismantling the claims of pagan deities. Furthermore, the people's lament, "My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God" [Isaiah 40:27](/isaiah/40-27 "Isaiah 40:27 - Israel's Complaint of Being Forgotten"), highlights their deep-seated fear that God had forgotten them or was too weak to intervene. Isaiah 40:26 directly refutes this, demonstrating God's infinite power and intimate knowledge of His creation as irrefutable proof of His unwavering attention and capability to act on behalf of His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching theological themes within Isaiah 40 and the broader book. Firstly, it underscores **God's Incomparable Sovereignty and Omnipotence**. By depicting God as the sole Creator who not only brings the vast celestial host into existence but also meticulously numbers and names each star, Isaiah emphasizes that God's power is boundless and beyond human comprehension. This theme is foundational to the comfort offered, assuring Israel that the God who effortlessly controls the cosmos can certainly control their destiny and bring about their promised restoration. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Meticulous Order and Unwavering Faithfulness**. The concluding phrase, "not one faileth," speaks to God's perfect order, reliability, and precision. Just as the celestial bodies obey His command without deviation, so too will His covenant promises to Israel be fulfilled. This provides a strong counterpoint to the people's doubts about God's faithfulness, reinforcing the idea that His word is as sure and dependable as the rising of the stars. This divine reliability is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, echoing sentiments found in passages like [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies are New Every Morning"). Finally, the verse implicitly promotes **Awe, Worship, and Trust**, inviting humanity to look beyond their earthly troubles and recognize the magnificent Creator. This call to "lift up your eyes on high" is an invitation to shift perspective from human weakness and despair to divine strength and boundless capability, fostering a spirit of profound trust and adoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **created (Hebrew, _bârâʼ'_):** From H1254, a primitive root meaning "to create," often implying creation _ex nihilo_ (out of nothing) or a unique, formative act. This verb is frequently reserved for divine activity, particularly in the context of bringing something entirely new into existence or establishing a new order. Here, it emphasizes God's sole prerogative and absolute power in originating the vast celestial bodies, underscoring His unmatched status as the ultimate source of all existence. Unlike human making or forming from existing materials, _bârâʼ_ denotes a sovereign act of bringing forth that which was not.
* **host (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** From H6635, referring to a "mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army)." In this context, "host" vividly portrays the stars not as random, scattered objects, but as an immense, disciplined army or multitude, perfectly marshaled and commanded by God. This militaristic imagery conveys God's supreme authority, precision, and the sheer number and orderliness of the stars, all under His direct and unquestioned command. It speaks to the disciplined obedience of the cosmos to its Creator.
* **faileth (Hebrew, _ʻădar'_):** From H5737, a primitive root meaning "to arrange as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting); dig, fail, keep (rank), lack." In the negative ("not one faileth"), this word powerfully affirms God's perfect control and the unwavering obedience of His creation. It signifies that not a single star is missing, lost, deviates from its divinely appointed course, or falls short of its purpose. This speaks to God's absolute reliability, His perfect knowledge, and the complete success of His sovereign will, providing an ultimate assurance of His faithfulness and the unwavering stability of His cosmic order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things]":** This opening imperative serves as a direct command, urging the reader or listener to shift their perspective from their immediate earthly concerns and anxieties to the vastness and majesty of the heavens. The rhetorical question, "who hath created these," implicitly points to Yahweh as the sole and incomparable Creator, inviting contemplation of the divine origin of the cosmos. The "these [things]" primarily refers to the stars and celestial bodies, which, though seemingly countless and chaotic to human observation, are presented as the direct result of God's unique creative power. It is a call to observe the testimony of creation as undeniable evidence of God's existence, power, and glory.
* **"that bringeth out their host by number":** This clause emphasizes God's active, ongoing, and meticulous control over the celestial bodies. The imagery of "bringing out" suggests a general leading forth, akin to a shepherd leading his flock or a commander deploying an army. The "host" refers to the innumerable stars, depicted as an organized multitude. The phrase "by number" highlights God's meticulous precision and infinite knowledge; He does not merely create them but knows and manages each one individually, demonstrating an order and comprehension that transcends all human capacity. This speaks to divine omniscience and omnipotence.
* **"he calleth them all by names":** This is a profound statement of God's intimate knowledge, personal authority, and proprietorship over His creation. To call by name in ancient Near Eastern culture signified ownership, authority, and a deep personal relationship. Despite the vastness and multitude of the stars, God knows each one intimately, not merely by number but by name. This conveys His personal engagement and sovereign care, asserting His dominion over every minute detail of the universe, and by extension, over the lives and destinies of His people.
* **"by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power":** This phrase provides the theological basis and explanation for God's ability to perform such an astonishing feat of cosmic creation and sustenance. It attributes His effortless control over the universe to His inherent divine attributes: His "greatness of his might" (Hebrew, _rob 'on_) and His being "strong in power" (Hebrew, _'ammits koach_). These are not merely abstract qualities but active, dynamic forces that enable Him to create, sustain, and command the entire universe with effortless ease. This reiterates His omnipotence as the ultimate source of all order, existence, and reliability.
* **"not one faileth":** This concluding declaration serves as a powerful and reassuring affirmation of God's absolute reliability and the perfect execution of His will. Because of His immense might and power, not a single star deviates from its appointed course, is lost, or fails to appear when commanded. This speaks to the unwavering consistency of God's character, His perfect governance, and the complete success of His sovereign will, assuring the reader that His promises and plans for His people are as reliable and unfailing as the celestial order He maintains. It is a promise of divine dependability.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:26 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine majesty and comfort. The verse opens with a direct **Imperative** ("Lift up your eyes"), immediately engaging the audience and commanding a shift in perspective from earthly troubles to heavenly grandeur. This is followed by a **Rhetorical Question** ("who hath created these [things]?"), which implicitly guides the listener to the undeniable conclusion of Yahweh's unique and unparalleled creative power. **Personification** is richly evident in the portrayal of the stars as a "host" (an army) that God "bringeth out" and "calleth them all by names." This imbues the inanimate celestial bodies with agency and obedience, vividly highlighting God's supreme command over them as if they were His personal legions, responding to His every word. The concept of God knowing and naming every single star, despite their countless number, functions as a powerful **Hyperbole**, emphasizing an infinite level of detailed knowledge, intimate care, and comprehensive control that transcends all human capacity to grasp. Finally, the entire verse serves as a compelling **Argument from Creation**, using the undeniable evidence of the vast, ordered, and unfailing cosmos to demonstrate God's boundless power, unwavering faithfulness, and meticulous governance, thereby building an irrefutable foundation for trust in His ability to deliver His people from their plight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:26 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's transcendence and immanence, revealing Him as both the majestic, incomparable Creator and the intimately involved Sustainer of the universe. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty over creation, portraying Him as the meticulous architect and tireless sustainer of the cosmos, whose power is not merely abstract but actively engaged in ordering every detail of the vast heavens. This cosmic control provides the ultimate assurance for His covenant people; if God can manage the infinite complexities of the heavens with such precision and unwavering power, He is certainly capable of orchestrating the affairs of humanity, intervening in history, and fulfilling His promises to Israel. The verse directly challenges human doubt, anxiety, and feelings of insignificance by pointing to an infinitely capable God, whose faithfulness is as constant and reliable as the ordered movement of the stars. It invites a profound sense of awe, worship, and humble trust, shifting focus from human limitations and fleeting circumstances to divine omnipotence and unwavering reliability.

* [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare the Glory of God")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Attributes Clearly Seen Through Creation")
* [Nehemiah 9:6](/nehemiah/9-6 "Nehemiah 9:6 - God as the Sole Creator and Sustainer of All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often consumed by anxieties, uncertainties, and the pervasive feeling of being overwhelmed or overlooked, Isaiah 40:26 offers a profound and steadfast anchor for the soul. It issues a timeless call for us to lift our gaze from our immediate troubles—whether personal struggles, societal chaos, or existential doubts—and fix them upon the God who effortlessly commands the universe. If the Creator of the countless stars knows each one by name, brings them out by number, and ensures that "not one faileth," then how much more intimately does He know, care for, and sustain His beloved children, who are made in His image? This verse serves as a powerful antidote to the feeling of being forgotten or insignificant in the vastness of existence. It reminds us that our God is not a distant, disengaged deity, but an infinitely powerful, meticulously attentive, and deeply personal Father. His demonstrated ability to maintain perfect cosmic order assures us that He is entirely capable of bringing order to our lives, fulfilling His promises, and guiding us through every season, no matter how turbulent. Trusting in the God who commands the stars empowers us to surrender our fears, rest securely in His unwavering sovereignty, and find profound peace in His unfailing faithfulness. It transforms our perspective from one of human limitation and despair to one of divine omnipotence and enduring hope, fostering a deeper worship and an unwavering reliance on His character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating the vastness and perfect order of the cosmos, as described in Isaiah 40:26, deepen your understanding of God's immense power and His meticulous character?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you tend to feel forgotten, overlooked, or that things are "failing"? How does the truth that "not one faileth" under God's hand encourage and strengthen your faith in these particular areas?**
* **What practical steps can you take to intentionally "lift up your eyes on high" and behold God's creative power and sovereign control when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about the future?**

### FAQ

**Why is it significant that God "calleth them all by names"?**

Answer: The act of "calling by names" signifies profound intimacy, personal knowledge, and absolute authority. In ancient cultures, naming something often implied ownership, control, and a deep personal connection. For God to call every star by name, despite their innumerable quantity and vastness, emphasizes His meticulous attention to detail, His personal relationship with His creation, and His complete sovereignty over it. It implies that nothing in the vast universe is random, chaotic, or beyond His direct knowledge and command. This concept profoundly reassures us that if God knows and cares for every star, He certainly knows and cares for every individual human being, as Jesus Himself affirmed that even the hairs on our head are numbered by our Heavenly Father [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God's Knowledge of Every Hair on Your Head").

**What does "not one faileth" imply about God's character and our trust in Him?**

Answer: The declaration "not one faileth" underscores God's perfect reliability, unwavering faithfulness, and absolute competence in His governance of the universe. It means that not a single star deviates from its appointed course, goes missing, or fails to appear at His command. This speaks to the flawless execution of God's will and the perfect, consistent order He maintains throughout His creation. For believers, this truth provides immense comfort and a solid foundation for trust. If God's control over the vast, complex cosmos is so absolute that nothing fails, then His promises to His people are equally certain and dependable. It assures us that His plans for us will not fail, His care will not cease, and His power will not diminish, reinforcing the truth that His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies and Faithfulness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:26, with its majestic portrayal of God as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament consistently identifies Jesus as the divine agent through whom all things were created and are perpetually sustained. [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him") declares with absolute clarity that "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Similarly, [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer of All Things") explicitly states that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." The very "greatness of his might" and "strong in power" that brings out the stars by number and calls them by name is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature," upholding the universe by the word of His power [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things by His Power"). Therefore, when we "lift up our eyes on high" and behold the ordered cosmos, we are beholding the magnificent handiwork of the pre-existent Christ. Furthermore, the promise that "not one faileth" extends beyond the physical creation to the spiritual realm of redemption; just as no star is lost from God's cosmic host, so no one whom the Father gives to Christ will be lost, but He will raise them up at the last day [John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - None Lost Whom the Father Gives to Christ"). Christ's sovereign power over creation assures His absolute power to save, sustain, and perfect His people, ensuring that His redemptive work, like His creative work, will never fail.

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

Jeremiah 32:17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 48:13

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

Psalms 89:11

The heavens [are] thine, the earth also [is] thine: [as for] the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.