Isaiah 46:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

To whom will ye liken {H1819} me, and make me equal {H7737}, and compare {H4911} me, that we may be like {H1819}?

Complete Jewish Bible

To whom will you liken me and equate me? With whom will you compare me, as if we were similar?"

Berean Standard Bible

To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 46:5 presents a profound rhetorical challenge from the Lord God to His people, confronting the human tendency to diminish His absolute uniqueness by attempting to compare Him to anything or anyone else. This verse serves as a direct and powerful indictment against idolatry in all its forms, simultaneously declaring God's unparalleled supremacy, divine nature, and unmatched power in stark contrast to the impotent, man-made deities of the surrounding nations, particularly those of Babylon. It underscores the foundational truth that the Creator is utterly distinct from His creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a significant section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48), often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah," which primarily addresses the exiles in Babylon. This larger section consistently emphasizes God's incomparable nature, His absolute sovereignty over history, and His unique ability to declare the future before it occurs. Chapter 46 specifically targets the impending downfall of Babylon and exposes the utter futility and burden of its prominent idols, Bel and Nebo. Unlike these heavy, immobile statues that must be carried by their worshippers, causing weariness and distress (as vividly depicted in [Isaiah 46:1-2](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1-2 - The Burden of Idols")), the true God is paradoxically the One who carries His people, sustaining them from their very birth through to old age ([Isaiah 46:3-4](/isaiah/46-3 "Isaiah 46:3-4 - God Carries His People")). The rhetorical question posed in [Isaiah 46:5](/isaiah/46-5 "Isaiah 46:5 - God's Incomparability") directly challenges the very mindset that would dare to place the Almighty God on a level with these lifeless, man-made deities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 46 is the Babylonian Exile (586-538 BC), a period during which the Israelites were forcibly removed from their homeland and exposed to the dominant polytheistic culture of Babylon. Babylonian religion was characterized by a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, often represented by elaborate idols carried in religious processions. The prophet Isaiah, speaking centuries before the exile but with a clear prophetic vision, addresses the future exiles, preparing them for this cultural challenge. The specific mention of Bel and Nebo in [Isaiah 46:1](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1 - Bel and Nebo Bow Down") highlights the prominent deities of Babylon, whose perceived power was directly linked to their physical presence and the rituals performed around them. The cultural norm was to compare the strength and efficacy of one's god with that of another nation's god. Isaiah's message shatters this comparative framework, asserting that the God of Israel transcends all such comparisons, standing in a category entirely by Himself.
* **Key Themes:** The central message of [Isaiah 46:5](/isaiah/46-5 "Isaiah 46:5 - God's Incomparability") powerfully articulates God's **Incomparability**, asserting that the Lord God is utterly unique and stands alone. There is no one like Him, nor can anything created be equated with His divine essence, boundless power, or infinite wisdom. This truth is not merely a theological assertion but a foundational pillar of monotheism, distinguishing Israel's God from all other deities. Implicitly, the verse also functions as a strong **Rejection of Idolatry**, condemning any form of worship that elevates created things—whether physical statues, wealth, power, or even the self—to a position that rivals God's supremacy in human lives. It highlights the profound foolishness of attempting to compare the eternal Creator with anything He has made. Furthermore, God's unlikeness directly underscores His **Divine Sovereignty**; He is supreme and sovereign over all creation and all history. Unlike the idols that need to be carried, God is the one who carries His people, acts decisively, and accomplishes His will without needing assistance or comparison.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **liken (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** From H1819, a primitive root meaning "to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider." In this context, it challenges the very notion of finding a parallel or an equivalent for God, emphasizing that no created thing can truly resemble His divine nature.
* **equal (Hebrew, _shâvâh'_):** From H7737, a primitive root meaning "properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable)." This word intensifies the challenge, asking how one could possibly place God on the same level or balance Him against anything else, highlighting His absolute supremacy and lack of peers.
* **compare (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** From H4911, meaning "to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble." This term further reinforces the idea of finding a similitude or a parallel, questioning the very act of drawing a comparison, whether literal or figurative, between the Creator and any created entity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To whom will ye liken me,"**: This opening clause is a direct, confrontational rhetorical question. It challenges the audience to identify any entity, human or divine, that could possibly serve as a valid comparison or analogue to the Lord God. It immediately sets the stage for God's incomparable nature.
* **"and make me equal,"**: This phrase intensifies the challenge, moving beyond mere resemblance to the concept of parity. It asks if there is anything that can be considered on the same level as God, implying that any attempt to do so is fundamentally flawed and impossible.
* **"and compare me,"**: This third verb reiterates and reinforces the previous two, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's uniqueness. It suggests that no mental or conceptual exercise can successfully place God alongside anything else for the purpose of evaluation or similarity.
* **"that we may be like?"**: This concluding rhetorical question drives home the absurdity of the premise. It implicitly asks, "Do you truly believe that by comparing me, you can find something that is actually 'like' me?" The answer, emphatically implied, is no. It underscores the vast, unbridgeable chasm between the Creator and creation.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 46:5 is rich in **Rhetorical Question**, a powerful device used not to elicit an answer, but to provoke thought and emphasize a self-evident truth. The series of questions ("To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?") serves to underscore the absolute incomparability of God, making the audience confront the logical impossibility of finding His peer. The verse also employs **Repetition** and **Parallelism** through the use of three distinct, yet semantically similar, Hebrew verbs (dâmâh, shâvâh, mâshal), all conveying the idea of comparison or likeness. This deliberate lexical choice creates a cumulative effect, hammering home the singular point that God cannot be measured against any standard or found to resemble anything else. Furthermore, there is an implied **Contrast** with the surrounding context of Babylonian idols, which are physically carried and thus inherently limited. By asking "To whom will ye liken me?", God implicitly highlights His own nature as the one who carries, sustains, and is utterly unburdened, unlike the false gods.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 46:5 stands as a foundational declaration of divine uniqueness, a cornerstone of biblical monotheism. It asserts that God is not merely superior to all other gods, but fundamentally in a category of His own, utterly incomparable. This truth undergirds His sovereignty, His faithfulness, and His ability to predict and accomplish His will throughout history. Any attempt to "liken," "equalize," or "compare" God to anything created—whether an idol, a human leader, or even a philosophical concept—is an act of profound theological error and a failure to grasp His infinite majesty. This incomparability is the basis for true worship and trust, as only an incomparable God can be the ultimate source of salvation and hope.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "The Shema: The Lord is One")
* [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "To Whom Will You Liken God?")
* [Psalm 86:8](/psalms/86-8 "None Like You Among the Gods")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 46:5 serves as an eternal challenge to our hearts and minds, urging us to continually examine what we truly elevate and worship. In a world saturated with distractions, competing allegiances, and subtle forms of idolatry—be it the pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, or even self-reliance—this verse calls us back to the singular, incomparable majesty of God. It compels us to recognize that true security and fulfillment are found not in comparing God to our desires or fitting Him into our preconceived notions, but in humbly acknowledging His absolute uniqueness and surrendering to His supreme authority. Our worship, our trust, and our hope must be directed solely to the One who is beyond all comparison, the One who carries us, rather than being carried by us. This profound truth should cultivate in us a deep sense of awe, reverence, and unreserved devotion, fostering a life lived in radical dependence on the only true God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "idols" or concepts do I unconsciously compare God to, or allow to rival His place in my life?**
* **How does recognizing God's absolute incomparability impact my understanding of His power, love, and faithfulness?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "make God equal" to my expectations or limitations, rather than allowing Him to transcend them?**
* **How can a deeper appreciation of God's uniqueness transform my prayer life and daily walk?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary message of Isaiah 46:5?**

Answer: The primary message of [Isaiah 46:5](/isaiah/46-5 "Isaiah 46:5 - God's Incomparability") is a powerful declaration of God's absolute uniqueness and incomparability. It challenges the human tendency to equate or compare the Creator with anything in creation, particularly the idols of surrounding nations. God is utterly distinct, supreme, and without peer.

**How does this verse relate to idolatry?**

Answer: [Isaiah 46:5](/isaiah/46-5 "Isaiah 46:5 - God's Incomparability") directly condemns idolatry by asserting that no created thing, including man-made idols, can ever be likened to or made equal with God. It highlights the folly and futility of worshipping anything other than the one true, incomparable God. The very act of attempting a comparison is an affront to His divine nature.

**Why is God's incomparability so important in the Bible?**

Answer: God's incomparability is a foundational truth throughout Scripture because it establishes His absolute sovereignty, His unique power to act in history, and His sole claim to worship. If God could be compared or equaled, He would not be God. This truth ensures that He alone is worthy of ultimate trust, obedience, and adoration, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "To Whom Will You Liken God?") and [Psalm 86:8](/psalms/86-8 "None Like You Among the Gods").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 46:5 powerfully declares the incomparable nature of the Lord God in the Old Testament, its Christ-centered fulfillment reveals how this very incomparability is uniquely embodied and revealed in Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Jesus not as merely a prophet or a good man, but as the very "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). He is the one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, the Creator")). The rhetorical question, "To whom will ye liken me?" finds its ultimate answer in the person of Jesus, for He alone is "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")), the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). No prophet, angel, or human being can be compared to Him, for He shares in the divine essence and authority of the Father. His unique identity as both fully God and fully man means that in Him, the incomparable God has drawn near, making Himself known in a way that transcends all other revelations. Jesus is the ultimate demonstration that there is truly "no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved" ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation Through Christ Alone")), affirming His singular and incomparable role in salvation history.

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 40:18

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

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?

Psalms 86:8

¶ Among the gods [there is] none like unto thee, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.

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?

Philippians 2:6

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Jeremiah 10:6

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