Isaiah 40:22
What does Isaiah 40:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:22 means
This verse majestically describes God's supreme position and power. He sits "above the circle of the earth," an ancient understanding of its spherical nature, and from this vantage point, its inhabitants appear as insignificant as "grasshoppers." He "stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain" and spreads them "as a tent to dwell in." This imagery emphasizes God's sovereign transcendence, His immense scale, and His effortless control over the vast cosmos and its tiny inhabitants, making Him utterly incomparable.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is he that sitteth upon 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is he who is seated over the arch of the earth, and the people in it are as small as locusts; by him the heavens are stretched out like an arch, and made ready like a tent for a living-place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He who is sitting on the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants <FI>are<Fi> as grasshoppers, He who is stretching out as a thin thing the heavens, And spreadeth them as a tent to dwell in.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is he that sitteth upon the globe of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts: he that stretcheth out the heavens as nothing, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a gauze curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in;
Context
Building on the foundational questions about knowing God, this verse vividly describes God's transcendent nature and cosmic sovereignty. It provides concrete imagery of His position above creation and His effortless control over the heavens and earth. This grand depiction of God's power over the physical world is immediately followed by His power over human leaders, showing His universal dominion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 13:33
And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
- Isaiah 44:24
Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth (who is with me?);
- Job 38:4
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
- Isaiah 51:13
and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
- Proverbs 8:27
When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
- Job 37:18
Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?
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