Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:27

What does Isaiah 40:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:27 means

This verse directly addresses the people of Israel (Jacob), challenging their despondent thoughts and questioning their doubt. It highlights their complaint: "My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?" This reveals their fear that God has overlooked or forgotten their plight and has failed to act justly on their behalf during exile. The verse sets up a poignant contrast between their perceived abandonment and God's true nature.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Why do you say, O Jacob, such words as these, O Israel, The Lord's eyes are not on my way, and my God gives no attention to my cause?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Why sayest thou, O Jacob? and speakest thou, O Israel? `My way hath been hid from Jehovah, And from my God my judgment passeth over.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel: My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Why sayest thou, Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and my right is passed away from myGod?

Context

Having established God's immeasurable power and control over creation, this verse directly confronts the despair and doubt present among God's people. It poses their complaint about feeling forgotten or overlooked, providing a clear statement of their anxiety. This direct address sets the stage for God's comforting and reassuring response in the verses that follow, affirming His eternal nature and unceasing care.

v.26Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.

v.27This passage

v.28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 27:2

    As God liveth, who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul

  • Isaiah 49:4

    But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.

  • Isaiah 49:14

    But Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me.

  • Luke 18:7

    And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?

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