Isaiah 40:21
What does Isaiah 40:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:21 means
This verse challenges the audience's understanding with a series of rhetorical questions, appealing to their inherent knowledge and foundational truths. "Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" These questions reiterate the self-evident nature of God's eternal existence and power, implying that humanity has always had access to this fundamental truth, through creation and revelation. It prepares for a deeper revelation of God's character.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have you no knowledge of it? has it not come to your ears? has not news of it been given to you from the first? has it not been clear to you from the time when the earth was placed on its base?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Do ye not know--do ye not hear? Hath it not been declared from the first to you? Have ye not understood <FI>From<Fi> the foundations of the earth?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Do you not know? hath it not been heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood the foundations of the earth?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— Do ye not know? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood the foundation of the earth?
Context
Following the critique of idol making, this verse shifts back to God's inherent, self-evident nature by reminding the audience of what they should already know. It serves as a powerful preamble to further revelations about God's activity in the world, contrasting human folly with divine truth. This intellectual challenge sets the stage for a detailed description of God as the supreme Creator and ruler.
v.20He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved.
v.21This passage
v.22It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 48:13
Yea, my hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
- Psalms 115:8
They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
- Psalms 50:6
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; For God is judge himself. [Selah
- Romans 1:19
because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
- Isaiah 46:8
Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
- Acts 14:17
And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
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