Isaiah 40:18
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
Original Language Analysis
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 8
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
תְּדַמְּי֣וּן
To whom then will ye liken
H1819
תְּדַמְּי֣וּן
To whom then will ye liken
Strong's:
H1819
Word #:
3 of 8
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
אֵ֑ל
God
H410
אֵ֑ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
דְּמ֖וּת
or what likeness
H1823
דְּמ֖וּת
or what likeness
Strong's:
H1823
Word #:
6 of 8
resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like
Cross References
Isaiah 46:5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?1 Samuel 2:2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Acts 17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.Psalms 89:6For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?Jeremiah 10:6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.Job 40:9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?Psalms 89:8O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?Exodus 8:10And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.
Historical Context
Surrounded by Babylonian idolatry with its elaborate god-images and religious iconography, Isaiah reminds Israel that their God transcends all representation and comparison.
Questions for Reflection
- What subtle forms of idolatry (mental images, expectations) do you impose on God?
- How does God's incomparability prevent you from domesticating Him into a manageable deity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This rhetorical question introduces a polemic against idolatry (verses 19-20). The Hebrew 'damah' (liken/compare) challenges any attempt to reduce God to creaturely categories. God's incomparability ('ein kamohu'—none like Him) is foundational to biblical monotheism and worship. Any image inherently diminishes and falsifies God's nature.