Isaiah 40:27
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?
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וּתְדַבֵּ֖ר
and speakest
H1696
וּתְדַבֵּ֖ר
and speakest
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דַרְכִּי֙
My way
H1870
דַרְכִּי֙
My way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
מֵיְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
H3068
מֵיְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמֵאֱלֹהַ֖י
from my God
H430
וּמֵאֱלֹהַ֖י
from my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Isaiah 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.Isaiah 49:14But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.Job 27:2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;
Historical Context
This reflects the exiles' discouragement during the long Babylonian captivity, questioning whether God still cared or would act on their behalf. Their circumstances tempted them to doubt His covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do your complaints reveal a failure to trust God's character and promises?
- How does suffering tempt you to believe God has forgotten or doesn't care about your situation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses Israel's ('Jacob' and 'Israel' emphasize covenant relationship) complaint that God has neglected their plight. The Hebrew 'mishpat' (justice/cause) and 'derek' (way) suggest they felt overlooked and mistreated. This complaint reveals a failure to remember God's revealed character and power, leading to practical atheism despite theological orthodoxy.