Isaiah 40:18 net — To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?

NET Bible

"To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?"

— Isaiah 40:18, NET Bible

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Isaiah 40:18 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Isaiah 40 — Context

15

Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. He lifts the coastlands as if they were dust.

16

Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings.

17

All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.

18

To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?

19

A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it.

20

To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over.

21

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told to you since the very beginning? Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made?

Isaiah 40:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Isaiah 40:18 say?
Isaiah 40:18 in the NET Bible reads: “To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?”
Where is Isaiah 40:18 in the Bible?
Isaiah 40:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 18.
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 40:18.
What translation should I read Isaiah 40:18 in?
Isaiah 40:18 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 40:18?
Isaiah 40:18 reads (NET): “To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?” 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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