Isaiah 40:17 bbe — All the nations are as nothing before him; even less than nothing, a thing of no value.

Bible in Basic English

"All the nations are as nothing before him; even less than nothing, a thing of no value."

— Isaiah 40:17, Bible in Basic English

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Isaiah 40:17 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Isaiah 40 — Context

14

Who gave him suggestions, and made clear to him the right way? who gave him knowledge, guiding him in the way of wisdom?

15

See, the nations are to him like a drop hanging from a bucket, and like the small dust in the scales: he takes up the islands like small dust.

16

And Lebanon is not enough to make a fire with, or all its cattle enough for a burned offering.

17

All the nations are as nothing before him; even less than nothing, a thing of no value.

18

Whom then is God like, in your opinion? or what will you put forward as a comparison with him?

19

The workman makes an image, and the gold-worker puts gold plates over it, and makes silver bands for it.

20

The wise workman makes selection of the mulberry-tree of the offering, a wood which will not become soft; so that the image may be fixed to it and not be moved.

Isaiah 40:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Isaiah 40:17 say?
Isaiah 40:17 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “All the nations are as nothing before him; even less than nothing, a thing of no value.”
Where is Isaiah 40:17 in the Bible?
Isaiah 40:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 17.
Who wrote Isaiah?
Isaiah is traditionally attributed to Isaiah son of Amoz. Many critical scholars propose multiple authors ("Deutero-" and "Trito-Isaiah") for chapters 40–66; conservative scholarship holds to single Isaianic authorship. It was written c. 740–680 BC.
What is the book of Isaiah about?
Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament — a sweeping vision of God's holiness, Judah's sin, coming judgment, and a promised Servant who would bear the iniquity of many. From "Holy, holy, holy" to "by his stripes we are healed," Isaiah speaks the gospel before the gospel.
What are the major themes of Isaiah?
Isaiah explores themes including Holiness, Judgment, Servant of the LORD, Hope, Salvation, Restoration. These themes shape the meaning and context of Isaiah 40:17.
What translation should I read Isaiah 40:17 in?
Isaiah 40:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Isaiah 40:17?
Isaiah 40:17 reads (BBE): “All the nations are as nothing before him; even less than nothing, a thing of no value.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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