Isaiah 40:16
Isaiah 40:16 in Multiple Translations
Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering.
And Lebanon is not enough to make a fire with, or all its cattle enough for a burned offering.
All the wood in Lebanon for a fire and all its animals as a sacrifice wouldn't be enough to provide a burnt offering.
And Lebanon is not sufficient for fire, nor the beastes thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt-offering.
Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts of it sufficient for a burnt-offering.
And Libanus shall not be enough to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
There would be not enough wood from all the trees in Lebanon to make a suitable fire for sacrificing animals to him, and there are not enough animals in Lebanon to offer as sacrifices to him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 40:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 40:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/לְבָנ֕וֹן
אֵ֥ין
דֵּ֖י
בָּעֵ֑ר
וְ/חַיָּת֔/וֹ
אֵ֥ין
דֵּ֖י
עוֹלָֽה
וּ/לְבָנ֕וֹן
Lᵉbânôwn
H3844
Lebanon
Conj | N-proper
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
דֵּ֖י
day
H1767
sufficiency
N-ms
בָּעֵ֑ר
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Piel-Inf-a
וְ/חַיָּת֔/וֹ
chay
H2416
alive
Conj | N-fs | Suff
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
דֵּ֖י
day
H1767
sufficiency
N-ms
עוֹלָֽה
ʻôlâh
H5930
burnt offering
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 40:16
וּ/לְבָנ֕וֹן
Lᵉbânôwn
H3844
"Lebanon"
Conj | N-proper
Lebanon is a mountain range in Israel, named for its white snow or limestone peaks, often mentioned in Psalms and other books.
Definition: Combined with biq.ah (בִּקְעָה " Valley" H1237I) § Lebanon = "whiteness" a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: Lebanon. See also: Deuteronomy 1:7; Psalms 104:16; Psalms 29:5.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
דֵּ֖י
day
H1767
"sufficiency"
N-ms
This word means enough or sufficiency, like having enough food or water. It is used in phrases like 'according to the abundance of' in 2 Corinthians. The KJV translates it as 'enough' or 'sufficient'.
Definition: 1) sufficiency, enough 1a) enough 1b) for, according to the abundance of, out of the abundance of, as often as
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: able, according to, after (ability), among, as (oft as), (more than) enough, from, in, since, (much as is) sufficient(-ly), too much, very, when. See also: Exodus 36:5; Nehemiah 5:8; Proverbs 25:16.
בָּעֵ֑ר
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Piel-Inf-a
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
וְ/חַיָּת֔/וֹ
chay
H2416
"alive"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
דֵּ֖י
day
H1767
"sufficiency"
N-ms
This word means enough or sufficiency, like having enough food or water. It is used in phrases like 'according to the abundance of' in 2 Corinthians. The KJV translates it as 'enough' or 'sufficient'.
Definition: 1) sufficiency, enough 1a) enough 1b) for, according to the abundance of, out of the abundance of, as often as
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: able, according to, after (ability), among, as (oft as), (more than) enough, from, in, since, (much as is) sufficient(-ly), too much, very, when. See also: Exodus 36:5; Nehemiah 5:8; Proverbs 25:16.
עוֹלָֽה
ʻôlâh
H5930
"burnt offering"
N-fs
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
Study Notes — Isaiah 40:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 40:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:16
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
- Sermons on Isaiah 40:16
Context — Here Is Your God!
14Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?
15Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
16Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering.
17All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness. 18To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micah 6:6–7 | With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? |
| 2 | Psalms 40:6 | Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. |
| 3 | Psalms 50:9–12 | I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, for every beast of the forest is Mine— the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof. |
| 4 | Hebrews 10:5–10 | Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. |
Isaiah 40:16 Summary
Isaiah 40:16 teaches us that even the greatest resources on earth, like those found in Lebanon, are not enough to properly honor God. This reminds us of how big and powerful God is, and how small we are in comparison, similar to what is said in Psalm 95:3-5. It's not about what we can offer to God, but about humbly coming to Him and recognizing His greatness, as we see in Revelation 4:11, where all creation worships God for His worthiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Lebanon in this verse?
Lebanon was known for its rich forests and abundant wildlife, but even its vast resources are not enough to honor God, as stated in Isaiah 40:16, emphasizing God's greatness and our limitations, similar to what is written in Psalm 50:10-12.
Why are the animals of Lebanon not enough for a burnt offering?
The animals of Lebanon, no matter how numerous, are insufficient for a burnt offering to God, highlighting the immense greatness of God and the inadequacy of human attempts to honor Him, as also seen in Isaiah 1:11-15 where God rejects the empty rituals of His people.
How does this verse relate to the idea of worshiping God?
This verse, Isaiah 40:16, reminds us that our attempts to worship God, no matter how grand, are ultimately insufficient, and it is only through a genuine, humble heart that we can truly approach Him, as expressed in John 4:24, where God seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.
What is the main message of Isaiah 40:16?
The main message of Isaiah 40:16 is that all human efforts to honor or comprehend God are limited and fall short, emphasizing His transcendence and our dependence on Him, a theme also found in Romans 11:33-36, where Paul praises the unsearchable wisdom and knowledge of God.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I try to honor God with my own strength and resources, and how might I be falling short?
- How does the insufficiency of Lebanon's resources to honor God make me reflect on my own worship and relationship with Him?
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to impress God with my own abilities, and how can I shift my focus to humbly seeking Him?
- In what ways can I apply the truth of God's greatness and my own limitations to my daily life and worship?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:16
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,.... The trees of it, as the Targum; these are not sufficient to burn a sacrifice with, suitable to the dignity and majesty of God, and as his justice can
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:16
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
And although he is pleased to accept of poor and small sacrifices from his people, yet if men were to offer a sacrifice agreeable to his infinite excellency, the whole forest of Lebanon could not afford either a sufficient number of beasts to be sacrificed, or a sufficient quantity of wood to consume the sacrifice.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.Ver. 16. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn.] So infinitely great is God; so absolutely insufficient is man to give God satisfaction. Let those think on this who talk of setting off with God, and of making amends, by their good deeds, for their bad.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
(16) Lebanon is not sufficient.—The thought is the same as that of Psa 50:10-12. Lebanon is chosen as the type of the forests that supply the wood for burnt-offerings, in which Judah was comparatively poor. In Nehemiah’s organisation of the Temple ritual the task of supplying wood for this purpose was assigned by lot to priests or Levites (Nehemiah 10:34).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
Verse 16. And Lebanon is not sufficient] The image is beautiful and uncommon. It has been imitated by an apocryphal writer, who however comes far short of the original: - "For all sacrifice is too little for a sweet savour unto thee: And all the fat is not sufficient for thy burnt-offering." Judith 16:16. Does not the prophet mean here that all the burnt-offerings and sacrifices that could be offered were insufficient to atone for sin? That the nations were as nothing before him, not merely because of his immensity, but because of their insufficiency to make any atonement by their oblations for the iniquities which they had committed? Therefore the Redeemer was to come to Zion, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:16
16. So infinitely great is Jehovah that the forests of Lebanon would not yield fuel enough, nor its wild animals victims enough, for a holocaust worthy of Him.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:16
And Lebanon - The expression here refers to the trees or the cedars of Lebanon. Thus it is rendered by the Chaldee: ‘And the trees of Lebanon.’ For a description of Lebanon, see the note at Isaiah 10:34.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:16
16. Lebanon is not sufficient — To express adequate adoration of such a Being, all the “cedars of Lebanon” — the most massive timber to be found in that land — are not “sufficient” for the sacrifices that should be offered.
Sermons on Isaiah 40:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Micah by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God's requirement for us is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. The prophet in the Bible asks what he can do t |
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An Acceptable Sacrifice by Bob Phillips | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the kindness, forbearance, and patience of God. He explains that these attributes of God shou |
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God Requires Honesty and Compassion by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our failures and treating others fairly. He highlights the need to take responsibility for our mistakes and n |
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God's Compassion and Ours by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of forgiveness, using the story of the prodigal son from Matthew chapter 18. The father in the story exemplifies compassion and fo |
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What Doth the Lord Require of Thee? by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a little boy who made a boat and lost it in the ocean. The boy was heartbroken but eventually found his boat in a toy shop. The pre |
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Ivory Houses & Fat Cows: The Excessive Nonsense of the Modern Christian Church by Joseph LoSardo | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the decline of a nation that was once a leader in industry and ponders its future. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on God and His s |
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Restoration Series #6 - the Church in Bondage by James Robison | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that people are intoxicated by the spirit of the world and deception, causing them to be unable to hear the word of God. He criticizes those |