Isaiah 40:15
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
Original Language Analysis
גּוֹיִם֙
Behold the nations
H1471
גּוֹיִם֙
Behold the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 11
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וּכְשַׁ֥חַק
as the small dust
H7834
וּכְשַׁ֥חַק
as the small dust
Strong's:
H7834
Word #:
5 of 11
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament
נֶחְשָׁ֑בוּ
and are counted
H2803
נֶחְשָׁ֑בוּ
and are counted
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
אִיִּ֖ים
the isles
H339
אִיִּ֖ים
the isles
Strong's:
H339
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
Cross References
Isaiah 40:22It 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:Jeremiah 10:10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.Isaiah 29:5Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.Isaiah 11:11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Historical Context
For Jews intimidated by Babylon's vast empire, this verse provided perspective: the nation that seemed overwhelming to them was negligible to God, easily removed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing earthly powers as God sees them change your response to intimidating circumstances?
- What would change in your life if you truly believed nations are like dust on God's scales?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The proportional imagery is staggering: all nations are like a drop from a bucket ('mar' - a single drop) and dust on scales (imperceptible weight) to God. This radically relativizes human power and politics—even mighty empires are infinitesimal before God's greatness. The Hebrew 'mishqal' (weight) suggests nations don't even register on God's scales of significance.