Isaiah 40:17
All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
All nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
All nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 8
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
כְּאַ֣יִן
H369
נֶגְדּ֑וֹ
H5048
נֶגְדּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
4 of 8
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
מֵאֶ֥פֶס
to him less than nothing
H657
מֵאֶ֥פֶס
to him less than nothing
Strong's:
H657
Word #:
5 of 8
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
וָתֹ֖הוּ
and vanity
H8414
וָתֹ֖הוּ
and vanity
Strong's:
H8414
Word #:
6 of 8
a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
נֶחְשְׁבוּ
before him are as nothing and they are counted
H2803
נֶחְשְׁבוּ
before him are as nothing and they are counted
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
7 of 8
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
Cross References
Psalms 62:9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.Isaiah 29:7And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
Historical Context
This directly confronted the exiles' despair at being subject to mighty Babylon—from God's viewpoint, Babylon was nothing and could be dismissed in an instant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing the temporary nature of all earthly kingdoms affect your ultimate loyalties?
- What things in your life appear significant but are 'less than nothing' from God's eternal perspective?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Hebrew 'ayin' (nothing) and 'tohu' (formless void, same word as Genesis 1:2) describe how nations appear from God's perspective. They are 'ephes' (less than nothing)—a striking phrase indicating negative value. This doesn't demean humanity but shows that apart from God, all human achievement is meaningless.