Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Original Language Analysis
שְׂאוּ
Lift up
H5375
שְׂאוּ
Lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מָר֨וֹם
on high
H4791
מָר֨וֹם
on high
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
2 of 20
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
עֵינֵיכֶ֤ם
your eyes
H5869
עֵינֵיכֶ֤ם
your eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּרְאוּ֙
and behold
H7200
וּרְאוּ֙
and behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָרָ֣א
who hath created
H1254
בָרָ֣א
who hath created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
6 of 20
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
הַמּוֹצִ֥יא
these things that bringeth out
H3318
הַמּוֹצִ֥יא
these things that bringeth out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְמִסְפָּ֖ר
by number
H4557
בְמִסְפָּ֖ר
by number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
9 of 20
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
צְבָאָ֑ם
their host
H6635
צְבָאָ֑ם
their host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
10 of 20
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
לְכֻלָּם֙
H3605
לְכֻלָּם֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
them all by names
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
them all by names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 20
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יִקְרָ֔א
he calleth
H7121
יִקְרָ֔א
he calleth
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
13 of 20
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
כֹּ֔חַ
in power
H3581
כֹּ֔חַ
in power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
17 of 20
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
אִ֖ישׁ
not one
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
not one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Isaiah 51:6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.Isaiah 48:13Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Isaiah 45:7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.Isaiah 34:16Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Psalms 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.Deuteronomy 4:19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Historical Context
Against Babylonian astrology which worshiped celestial bodies as deities, Isaiah declares these are merely God's created servants, named and commanded by Him. The Creator surpasses His creation infinitely.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's intimate knowledge and control of the stars encourage you about His care for your details?
- What does it mean that the God who names and sustains billions of stars knows and sustains you personally?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The invitation to observe the stars demonstrates God's creative power and sustaining providence. He not only created the heavenly host ('tzaba'—army, suggesting organized multitude) but calls them each by name and maintains them by His great strength ('ko'ach') and mighty power ('amitz'). Not one star fails to answer His call, showing His exhaustive sovereignty.