Isaiah 40:28
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Original Language Analysis
הֲל֨וֹא
H3808
הֲל֨וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֜עְתָּ
Hast thou not known
H3045
יָדַ֜עְתָּ
Hast thou not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
hast thou not heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
hast thou not heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֨י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 18
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
עוֹלָ֤ם׀
that the everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָ֤ם׀
that the everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בּוֹרֵא֙
the Creator
H1254
בּוֹרֵא֙
the Creator
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
9 of 18
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִיגָ֑ע
not neither is weary
H3021
יִיגָ֑ע
not neither is weary
Strong's:
H3021
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
Cross References
Psalms 147:5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:1 Timothy 1:17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.Isaiah 40:21Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?1 Corinthians 2:16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.John 14:9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.Luke 24:25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Historical Context
Israelites in exile felt forgotten by God, questioning whether He still cared or had power to save them. Isaiah reminds them of fundamental truths about God's nature that they learned from creation and covenant history. This theology sustained Jewish faith through centuries of dispersion. For Christians, these attributes of God provide confidence that He has both the power and wisdom to accomplish His purposes in our lives and in history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God never grows weary change your approach to persistent prayer and long-term faithfulness?
- When circumstances make you question God's power or care, how can you return to these foundational truths about His nature?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse presents God's eternal nature and unlimited power in stark contrast to human weakness described in preceding verses. The rhetorical questions expect the answer 'Of course you know!' The 'everlasting God' (El Olam) never began and will never end. As 'Creator of the ends of the earth,' His power spans all creation. The statement that He 'fainteth not, neither is weary' assures us that God never runs out of strength or needs rest—unlike human helpers who may fail us. His understanding being 'unsearchable' means His wisdom infinitely exceeds human comprehension.