Isaiah 40:26

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Isaiah 40:26 is a powerful declaration of God's incomparable greatness, omnipotence, and meticulous care over His creation. It invites humanity to look beyond themselves and their immediate circumstances to behold the boundless power of the Creator.

Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 40, which marks a significant shift in the book of Isaiah. Following prophecies of judgment, this chapter opens with a message of comfort and hope for Israel, particularly for those suffering in Babylonian exile. The people felt abandoned and questioned God's ability or willingness to save them. Against this backdrop of despair and doubt, Isaiah contrasts the fleeting nature of human strength and idols with the eternal, unwavering power of the Lord. The passage emphasizes God's unique position as the sovereign Creator, providing a foundation for trust and hope.

Key Themes

  • God as the Supreme Creator: The verse explicitly asks us to "behold who hath created these [things]," referring primarily to the celestial bodies—the stars and constellations. It highlights God's role not just as a distant architect, but as the active, personal Creator of the vast universe. This echoes the foundational truth found in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
  • Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty: God brings out "their host by number" and "calleth them all by names." This imagery conveys an unparalleled level of power, precision, and intimate knowledge. He doesn't just create; He maintains, orders, and commands. The stars, though countless to human eyes, are individually known and managed by Him, demonstrating His absolute control over all things. This showcases the "greatness of his might" and that "he is strong in power."
  • God's Unfailing Faithfulness: The declaration "not one faileth" underscores God's perfect order, reliability, and unwavering faithfulness. Just as no star deviates from its appointed course or fails to appear at His command, so too God's promises and plans for His people are certain and will not fail. This provides immense comfort and assurance, reinforcing a theme found in Lamentations 3:22-23 regarding His mercies that are new every morning.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "host" is tsaba' (צָבָא), which often refers to an army or multitude. Here, it vividly portrays the stars as an organized, innumerable army under God's command, marching forth in perfect order. The phrase "calleth them all by names" signifies not just identification but intimate knowledge and personal authority. It's a profound statement of God's personal relationship with even the most distant parts of His creation, emphasizing His detailed awareness and care, as also seen in Psalm 147:4, "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to worship. In moments of personal struggle, anxiety, or when circumstances feel overwhelming, Isaiah 40:26 reminds us that our God is infinitely powerful and intimately involved. If He can manage and sustain the vast celestial host with such precision and power, He is certainly capable of caring for every detail of our lives. It encourages us to wait upon the Lord, to trust in His omnipotence, and to find hope in His unfailing character. Our problems, no matter how large they seem, are minuscule in comparison to the God who commands the universe.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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