Isaiah 40:27

KJV

¶ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

KJV (with Strong's)

Why sayest {H559} thou, O Jacob {H3290}, and speakest {H1696}, O Israel {H3478}, My way {H1870} is hid {H5641} from the LORD {H3068}, and my judgment {H4941} is passed over {H5674} from my God {H430}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why do you complain, Ya'akov; why do you say, Isra'el, "My way is hidden from ADONAI, my rights are ignored by my God"?

Berean Standard Bible

Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?

American Standard Version

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:27 confronts the profound despair of the exiled people of God, Jacob and Israel, who, in their suffering, voiced a lament of abandonment. They felt their life's journey and their pleas for justice were entirely hidden from the LORD and overlooked by their God. This verse serves as a powerful rhetorical challenge to such human doubt, directly setting the stage for Isaiah's subsequent, glorious declarations of God's incomparable power, unwavering presence, and perfect, active justice, thereby preparing the way for a message of divine comfort and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the opening section of Isaiah 40, which marks a dramatic shift in the prophet's message from pronouncements of judgment to declarations of comfort and hope. The preceding chapter, [Isaiah 39](/isaiah/39 "Isaiah 39 - Hezekiah's Folly and Babylonian Prophecy"), concludes with a stark prophecy of the Babylonian exile, providing the historical backdrop for the comforting words that follow. [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - The Call to Comfort") initiates this new era with the divine command, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 40:27 ([Isaiah 40:12-26](/isaiah/40-12-26 "Isaiah 40:12-26 - God's Incomparable Power and Wisdom")) meticulously build a majestic portrait of God's incomparable power, infinite wisdom, and absolute sovereignty over all creation and nations. This grand depiction of the Creator's might stands in stark contrast to the ephemeral nature of humanity and the impotence of idols. Verse 27 then directly addresses the people's deep-seated doubt and perceived abandonment, presenting their lament as a direct contradiction to the glorious truths about God just proclaimed, thereby preparing them to receive the subsequent promises of renewed strength and divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical context for Isaiah 40:27 is the impending or ongoing Babylonian captivity, a period roughly from 586 BC to 539 BC. The people of Judah had endured the devastating consequences of their covenant disobedience, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and their forced deportation to Babylon. This era was characterized by immense national trauma, displacement, and a profound spiritual crisis. Stripped of their homeland, their central place of worship, and their national identity, and surrounded by dominant pagan cultures, it was profoundly natural for them to feel abandoned and forgotten by their covenant God. Their lament, "My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God," powerfully articulates the deep sense of despair, injustice, and forgottenness that permeated their lived experience. Culturally, while pagan deities were often perceived as distant or capricious, Israel's God, Yahweh, was uniquely characterized by His intimate involvement in their history and covenant faithfulness. Thus, the thought of Him being unaware or uncaring represented a profound crisis of faith and a direct challenge to their understanding of His very nature.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 40:27 significantly contributes to several crucial themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it directly addresses the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Providence**, powerfully countering the human tendency to believe God is unaware or disengaged from their suffering. The prophet challenges the very notion that any aspect of their "way" (their life's journey) or "judgment" (their plea for justice) could be hidden from the all-seeing LORD, thereby reinforcing God's perfect knowledge and active involvement in human affairs, a truth beautifully articulated in [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1-6 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience and Presence"). Secondly, it confronts the theme of **God's Unwavering Justice and Vindication**. The people's complaint that their "judgment is passed over" speaks to a perceived delay or denial of justice. Isaiah implicitly assures them that God's justice is perfect, unwavering, and will ultimately prevail, even if its timing seems inscrutable from a human perspective, a truth echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7-8 "Psalm 9:7-8 - God's Righteous Judgment"). Finally, the verse powerfully portrays **Human Doubt and Despair in Suffering**, acknowledging the very real spiritual struggles that arise when faith is tested by prolonged hardship and apparent divine silence. By articulating their lament, Isaiah validates their pain, yet immediately pivots to correct their flawed perception of God, leading them towards a renewed trust in His faithfulness and comfort, which is the overarching message of [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sayest (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies "to say" with broad application, encompassing speaking, declaring, commanding, thinking, or even complaining. In this context, it captures the Israelites' vocalized lament and their deeply held internal conviction that God had forgotten them. It highlights the active nature of their doubt and despair, not merely as a fleeting thought but as a spoken complaint.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to tread," _derek_ literally refers to a road or path. Figuratively, as used here, it denotes a course of life, one's circumstances, or a mode of action. Thus, "my way" encompasses the entirety of their life's journey, their profound suffering, their current difficult circumstances, and their uncertain future prospects. The people felt their entire existence was unseen and unheeded by God.
* **hid (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** This root means "to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively; to be absent, keep close, conceal, or keep secret." The passive form used in the verse ("is hid") emphasizes the people's perception that their plight was either actively concealed from God's view, or that God Himself had chosen to hide His face from them, leaving them exposed, vulnerable, and forgotten.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This term is rich and multifaceted, referring to a verdict, a sentence, a formal decree, or divine law. More broadly, it encapsulates justice, a right, or a privilege. "My judgment" here signifies their cause, their plea for vindication, the just resolution of their situation, or their rightful claim to God's intervention and justice. They felt their legal case or their just cause had been overlooked or dismissed.
* **passed over (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This primitive root means "to cross over," but it also encompasses a wide range of transitions, including to pass by, neglect, or fail. In this context, "is passed over" conveys the profound sense that their legal case, their plea for justice, or their rightful claim had been bypassed, overlooked, or disregarded by God. This implies a perceived failure on God's part to attend to their urgent needs and to administer justice on their behalf.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel,"**: This opening clause is a direct, rhetorical challenge issued by the prophet, speaking on behalf of God, to the covenant people. The deliberate use of both "Jacob" and "Israel" interchangeably emphasizes that this lament is not an isolated complaint but a collective sentiment, encompassing the entire nation, all its tribes, and every individual. The interrogative "Why sayest thou... and speakest" functions not merely as an inquiry but as a gentle yet firm rebuke, questioning the validity and faithlessness of their complaint, especially in light of God's recently declared majesty, power, and incomparable nature.
* **"My way is hid from the LORD,"**: This is the first part of Israel's despairing lament. "My way" refers to their entire life's journey, encompassing their suffering, their current desperate circumstances, and their uncertain future. The phrase "is hid from the LORD" (referring to Yahweh, the covenant God, H3068) expresses their profound sense of being unseen, unnoticed, or utterly forgotten by God. They felt that God was either unaware of their plight or, worse, indifferent to it, a perception that directly contradicted the very nature of the omniscient and ever-present God.
* **"and my judgment is passed over from my God?"**: This is the second part of their complaint, articulating a deep feeling of injustice and divine neglect. "My judgment" refers to their cause, their plea for vindication, or their rightful claim to justice and divine intervention. The phrase "is passed over from my God" (referring to Elohim, the supreme God, H430) implies that their case had been disregarded, overlooked, or dismissed by the very God who is supposed to be their righteous judge and faithful defender. They felt their earnest pleas for divine intervention and the just resolution of their suffering had gone entirely unheeded.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:27 masterfully employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel...?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to challenge a flawed perspective, to expose the irrationality of their despair, and to provoke deep self-reflection and correction in the audience. **Parallelism** is powerfully evident in the dual address to "Jacob" and "Israel," which emphasizes the collective nature of their lament. It is also seen in the two clauses of their complaint: "My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God," reinforcing the comprehensive scope of their perceived abandonment and neglect. The use of **Apostrophe** is also present, as the prophet directly addresses the absent (or seemingly distant) nation as "O Jacob" and "O Israel," lending a direct, personal, and emotionally resonant tone to the divine rebuke and the subsequent message of comfort. Finally, there is an implied **Anthropomorphism** in the people's complaint, as they attribute human limitations to God, imagining Him as someone who could fail to see, overlook, or forget a matter. Isaiah's overarching message in this chapter, however, aims to dismantle this limited and inaccurate view of God, replacing it with a grander, more accurate understanding of His infinite character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:27 serves as a crucial theological pivot, bridging the grand declarations of God's incomparable greatness in the preceding verses with the subsequent promises of renewed strength and unwavering hope for His people. Theologically, it underscores the profound tension between human perception, often clouded by suffering and limited understanding, and divine reality, which is rooted in God's eternal and unchanging character. While Israel, in their deep distress, felt unseen and unheard, the prophet emphatically asserts God's absolute omniscience, omnipresence, and unwavering justice. This passage powerfully reminds us that God's character and His active involvement in the world are not defined by our fleeting feelings or difficult circumstances, but by His eternal nature as the all-knowing, ever-present, and perfectly just Sovereign. He is the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps, whose eye is always upon His people, and who will ultimately bring about His righteous purposes, even when the path is obscured to human sight. The lament of Israel, though born of genuine suffering, is ultimately a misjudgment of God's active involvement and perfect timing, a misjudgment that the rest of Isaiah 40 seeks to correct.

* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Knowledge")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Enduring Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:27 resonates deeply with the universal human experience of doubt and despair in the face of prolonged suffering, unanswered prayers, or perceived injustice. In our own lives, when trials persist, when justice seems delayed, or when God's presence feels distant and His purposes unclear, it is profoundly easy to echo the lament of ancient Israel. We might find ourselves feeling that our "way is hid from the LORD," that our struggles are unseen, or that our earnest pleas for "judgment" have been "passed over." This verse serves as a vital corrective and a powerful source of comfort. It reminds us that our subjective perception of God's absence or indifference does not equate to His actual absence or indifference. God's knowledge is infinite, His justice is perfect, and His covenant love for His people is unwavering and eternal. Instead of succumbing to the temptation to accuse God of neglect or to doubt His character, we are called to remember His revealed nature and to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. This profound understanding should lead us to patiently wait on the Lord, knowing that He is intimately aware of every detail of our lives and will act in His perfect time and according to His perfect will, always for our ultimate good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently feel your "way is hid from the LORD" or your "judgment is passed over from your God"?**
* **How does remembering God's infinite omniscience, omnipotence, and unwavering faithfulness, as described in Isaiah 40, challenge and correct your feelings of being unseen or forgotten?**
* **What practical steps can you take to combat despair and cultivate a deeper, more resilient trust in God's perfect timing and justice, particularly when circumstances are difficult and His hand seems hidden?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people of Israel feel their "way is hid" and their "judgment is passed over"?**

Answer: The people of Israel, particularly during the Babylonian exile, were enduring profound national trauma, displacement, and immense suffering. They had lost their homeland, their cherished temple, and their political independence, and were living under foreign domination. In such dire and prolonged circumstances, it was a natural human response for them to feel abandoned by God, especially since their covenant relationship with Him promised protection and blessing. Their lament reflects a deep sense of perceived divine neglect, a feeling that God was either unaware of their immense suffering or had chosen to ignore their earnest pleas for justice and vindication against their oppressors. This was a profound crisis of faith, where their current, harsh reality seemed to contradict God's past promises and His very nature as a just, caring, and intimately involved God, as highlighted in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Justice and Faithfulness").

**Does God truly forget or overlook the struggles of His people?**

Answer: No, the Bible consistently and emphatically teaches that God neither forgets nor overlooks the struggles of His people. Isaiah 40:27 is a rhetorical question precisely designed to challenge and correct this very misconception. The preceding verses in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's People") meticulously establish God's infinite power and boundless knowledge, asserting that He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, who knows every star by name and calls them forth. If He is so intimately aware of His vast creation, how much more profoundly is He aware of His chosen people, whom He loves with an everlasting love? Passages like [Psalm 121:3-4](/psalms/121-3-4 "Psalm 121:3-4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber") explicitly state that the Lord "will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." God's apparent silence or delay from a limited human perspective is never a sign of His absence or indifference, but rather an indication of His perfect timing, His sovereign purposes, and His unwavering faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:27, with its poignant lament of feeling unseen and unheeded by God, finds its ultimate and most profound answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very "way" that seemed hidden from the LORD, the path of human suffering, injustice, and abandonment, was fully entered into by the Son of God Himself. Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of "Jacob" and "Israel," uniquely experienced the deepest depths of perceived divine dereliction, crying out from the cross, "[My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (Matthew 27:46). Yet, in His glorious resurrection, His "judgment" was not passed over but perfectly vindicated by God the Father, demonstrating God's unwavering justice, faithfulness, and ultimate triumph over sin and death. Through Christ, our "way" is never hidden from the LORD; indeed, He is "[the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way")" (John 14:6), and it is through Him that we have direct and confident access to the Father. Our "judgment" is not passed over but has been fully and righteously borne by Christ on the cross, and we are now declared righteous in Him (Romans 5:1). Moreover, Jesus, our great High Priest, "[ever liveth to make intercession for them](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Intercessor")" (Hebrews 7:25), ensuring that our needs, our prayers, and our very lives are always before the Father. Thus, the despairing question of Isaiah 40:27 is answered with the triumphant assurance that in Christ, we are eternally seen, heard, and held secure in the unfailing love, perfect justice, and sovereign care of 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 49:4

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: [yet] surely my judgment [is] with the LORD, and my work with my God.

Luke 18:7

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Isaiah 49:14

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

Job 27:2

[As] God liveth, [who] hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, [who] hath vexed my soul;