Isaiah 40:28

KJV

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hast thou not known {H3045}? hast thou not heard {H8085}, that the everlasting {H5769} God {H430}, the LORD {H3068}, the Creator {H1254} of the ends {H7098} of the earth {H776}, fainteth {H3286} not, neither is weary {H3021}? there is no searching {H2714} of his understanding {H8394}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Haven't you known, haven't you heard that the everlasting God, ADONAI, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow tired or weary? His understanding cannot be fathomed.

Berean Standard Bible

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

American Standard Version

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:28 serves as a profound rhetorical affirmation of God's unparalleled nature, directly addressing any human doubt or weariness. It declares the eternal, self-existent, and all-powerful Creator of the universe is utterly inexhaustible and possesses an understanding beyond human comprehension. This verse offers deep comfort and reassurance to those feeling forgotten or overwhelmed, contrasting the transient limitations of humanity with the infinite, unfailing attributes of the Divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40 marks a pivotal transition in the book, moving from prophecies of judgment and warning (chapters 1-39) to messages of comfort, hope, and restoration (chapters 40-66), often referred to as the "Book of Comfort." The chapter opens with a divine command to "Comfort, comfort my people" [Isaiah 40:1 - Command to Comfort](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Command to Comfort"), setting a tone of reassurance for Judah, who faced the prospect of Babylonian exile. The preceding verses (Isaiah 40:26-27) highlight God's meticulous care for the stars and His awareness of Israel's plight, challenging their perception that their way was hidden from the Lord. Verse 28 directly builds on this by reinforcing God's eternal power and knowledge, providing the theological bedrock for the promises of renewed strength found in the subsequent verses, particularly [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Renewal of Strength").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Isaiah 40-66 are primarily directed towards the Jewish people in exile in Babylon, or those facing the prospect of it. They were a people dispossessed, displaced, and disheartened, questioning God's presence, power, and faithfulness. In a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern world, where gods were often seen as localized and limited, the prophet Isaiah powerfully asserts the singular, universal sovereignty of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Babylonian gods, like Marduk or Ishtar, were associated with specific cities or natural phenomena and were often depicted as having human-like weaknesses, including weariness or limited knowledge. Isaiah's depiction of God as "the Creator of the ends of the earth" directly counters these pagan notions, elevating Yahweh above all other deities and assuring His people that their God is truly supreme and capable of delivering them, unlike the impotent idols of their captors.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological themes running through Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes God's **eternality** (He is "the everlasting God"), contrasting with the fleeting nature of human existence and empires, a theme echoed in [Psalm 90:2](/psalm/90-2 "Psalm 90:2 - God's Eternity"). It highlights God's **omnipotence** and **universal sovereignty** as "the Creator of the ends of the earth," affirming His absolute control over all creation and history, a concept foundational to the creation accounts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Furthermore, the declaration that God "fainteth not, neither is weary" underscores His **inexhaustible strength** and **immutability**, providing a stark contrast to human weakness and despair, a point reinforced by the human condition described in [Isaiah 40:30](/isaiah/40-30 "Isaiah 40:30 - Human Weakness"). Finally, "there is no searching of his understanding" proclaims God's **omniscience** and **inscrutable wisdom**, inviting trust in His perfect plans even when they are beyond human comprehension, a truth also celebrated in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depths of God's Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Everlasting (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, this term properly means "concealed" or "the vanishing point," but generally refers to "time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity." When applied to God, it signifies His existence without beginning or end, His timelessness, and His unchanging nature. He is not bound by the limitations of time that affect humanity or creation.
* **Creator (Hebrew, _bârâʼ'_):** From H1254, a primitive root meaning "to create" (absolutely) or "to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)." In the context of God, it denotes His unique power to bring something into existence from nothing (creation *ex nihilo*) or to shape and form existing matter. This highlights His ultimate authority, sovereignty, and the unparalleled nature of His power as the originator of all things.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** From H8394, meaning "intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, wisdom." When applied to God, it refers to His infinite, perfect, and comprehensive knowledge and wisdom. His understanding encompasses all things, past, present, and future, and His plans are perfectly conceived and executed, far beyond human capacity to fully grasp or exhaustively investigate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,"**: These are rhetorical questions designed to challenge the audience's memory and prior instruction. They imply that the truths about God's nature are not new revelations but foundational principles that should already be deeply ingrained through tradition, revelation, and experience. It's a call to recall and acknowledge what has been taught and witnessed.
* **"[that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth,"**: This clause presents a series of majestic titles for God, emphasizing His eternal nature (everlasting God, *El Olam*), His covenant faithfulness and self-existence (the LORD, *YHWH*), and His universal dominion and power (Creator of the ends of the earth). These titles collectively establish His supreme and unique identity, contrasting sharply with any limited human or pagan deity.
* **"fainteth not, neither is weary?"**: This is a direct and powerful declaration of God's inexhaustible strength and infinite vitality. Unlike humans who experience fatigue, depletion, and burnout, God's power and energy are boundless and unending. This attribute assures His people that He is always fully capable of acting, sustaining, and fulfilling His purposes, regardless of the duration or difficulty of circumstances.
* **"[there is] no searching of his understanding."**: This final clause asserts God's infinite wisdom and inscrutable knowledge. His thoughts, plans, and ways are beyond human ability to fully comprehend, investigate, or exhaust. This encourages humility and trust, implying that even when God's actions or timing seem perplexing to humanity, they are rooted in perfect, unfathomable wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:28 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The verse opens with **Rhetorical Questions** ("Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?"), which are not meant to elicit an answer but to provoke reflection and affirm an obvious truth already known to the audience. This technique engages the listener directly and emphasizes the self-evident nature of God's attributes. The verse then uses a series of **Appellations** or divine titles ("the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth"), which serve to magnify God's character and establish His supreme authority and unique identity. There is a strong use of **Contrast** throughout, setting God's infinite attributes (eternality, inexhaustible strength, unfathomable understanding) against the finite limitations of humanity (weariness, limited knowledge, temporal existence), thereby highlighting His divine transcendence. The phrases "fainteth not, neither is weary" and "no searching of his understanding" utilize **Negation** to powerfully affirm God's perfect attributes by denying any human weakness or limitation in Him. This creates a sense of **Hyperbole** in its affirmation of God's boundless nature, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of His being.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:28 is a cornerstone declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, eternality, and omnipotence, providing a theological anchor for the entire "Book of Comfort." It reassures a weary and doubting people that their God is fundamentally unlike any human ruler or pagan deity. His everlasting nature means He is not subject to time's decay, His creative power demonstrates His ultimate authority over all existence, and His inexhaustible strength assures His unwavering capacity to act. Furthermore, His unsearchable understanding means His plans are perfect, even when inscrutable to human minds, inviting profound trust in His divine wisdom. This verse undergirds the promises of renewal and hope that follow, asserting that the source of their comfort is an infinitely capable and wise God.

* [Psalm 90:2](/psalm/90-2 "Psalm 90:2 - God's Eternity and Sovereignty")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Unsearchable Wisdom of God")
* [Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - The Alpha and Omega")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often leaves us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and uncertain, Isaiah 40:28 offers a profound wellspring of spiritual refreshment and stability. When the burdens of life, the seemingly endless wait for change, or the sheer complexity of global events cause our spirits to flag, this verse reminds us that our God is never tired, never confused, and never out of options. His strength is infinite, His wisdom unfathomable, and His existence eternal. We are prone to project our own limitations onto God, imagining Him growing weary of our prayers, or baffled by our circumstances. This passage shatters such misconceptions, calling us to rest in the boundless capacity of the One who created and sustains everything. It encourages us to shift our focus from our finite resources to His infinite ones, finding peace in His unchangeable character and confidence in His perfect, though often mysterious, plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to project human limitations onto God?**
* **How does the truth of God's inexhaustible strength and unsearchable understanding impact your approach to prayer and trusting Him in difficult seasons?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "wait on the LORD" (as implied by the context of Isaiah 40:31) when you feel weary or discouraged?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "fainteth not, neither is weary"?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes God's absolute and infinite power, energy, and vitality. Unlike human beings, who are finite and experience physical and mental exhaustion, God never tires, weakens, or becomes depleted. His strength is boundless and unending, meaning He is always fully capable of acting, sustaining, and fulfilling His purposes without any diminution of power or will. This is a crucial distinction from human limitations and a source of immense comfort for His people, assuring them that His capacity to help and uphold them is limitless, as seen in [Psalm 121:3-4](/psalm/121-3 "Psalm 121:3-4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber").

**How does God's "unsearchable understanding" relate to human suffering or unanswered prayers?**

Answer: God's "unsearchable understanding" means His wisdom, knowledge, and plans are infinitely beyond human comprehension. When we face suffering or our prayers seem unanswered, it's natural to question God's methods or timing. This verse reminds us that while we may not grasp the full scope of His purposes, His understanding is perfect and encompasses all variables, known and unknown to us. It calls us to trust in His perfect wisdom, even when circumstances are perplexing, knowing that His ways are higher than our ways, as declared in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher"). Our limited perspective cannot fully grasp His eternal, sovereign plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:28, while speaking of Yahweh, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "everlasting God" and "the LORD," for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). As the pre-existent Word, Jesus is the active agent through whom the "Creator of the ends of the earth" brought all things into being, for "all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - Jesus as Creator")). The declaration that God "fainteth not, neither is weary" is powerfully demonstrated in Christ's earthly ministry, where despite immense physical and spiritual demands, He consistently operated with divine strength, never succumbing to ultimate weariness in His mission to redeem humanity. Even facing the cross, He drew on divine power, demonstrating an inexhaustible resolve to accomplish the Father's will. Furthermore, the "no searching of his understanding" points to Christ as the very "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")), through whom God's perfect and inscrutable plan of salvation was conceived and executed. In Jesus, the infinite attributes of the God described in Isaiah 40:28 become tangible and accessible, offering weary souls not just a theological truth, but a living, inexhaustible source of strength, wisdom, and eternal life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")).

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

Romans 11:33

¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Romans 11:34

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Psalms 147:5

Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:9

For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Timothy 1:17

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.