Isaiah 40:21

Isaiah 40:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth?

King James Version KJV

Have 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?

American Standard Version ASV

Have 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?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Have you no knowledge of it? has it not come to your ears? has not news of it been given to you from the first? has it not been clear to you from the time when the earth was placed on its base?

Free Bible Version FBV

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Hasn't it been explained to you from the very beginning? Haven't you understood from the time the world was created?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Know ye nothing? haue ye not heard it? hath it not bene tolde you from the beginning? haue ye not vnderstand it by the foundation of the earth?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Do ye not know — do ye not hear? Hath it not been declared from the first to you? Have ye not understood [From] the foundations of the earth?

World English Bible WEB

Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Have 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?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Do you not know? hath it not been heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood the foundations of the earth?

Translation for Translators T4T

Have you(pl) not heard this? Do you not understand it? Are you unable to hear what God said long ago— messages that he gave before he created the earth?

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 40:21

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 40:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB הֲ/ל֤וֹא תֵֽדְעוּ֙ הֲ/ל֣וֹא תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ הֲ/ל֛וֹא הֻגַּ֥ד מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ לָ/כֶ֑ם הֲ/לוֹא֙ הֲבִ֣ינֹתֶ֔ם מוֹסְד֖וֹת הָ/אָֽרֶץ

הֲ/ל֤וֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part

תֵֽדְעוּ֙ yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

הֲ/ל֣וֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part

תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

הֲ/ל֛וֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part

הֻגַּ֥ד nâgad H5046 to tell V-Hophal-Perf-3ms

מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 head Prep | N-ms

לָ/כֶ֑ם Prep | Suff

הֲ/לוֹא֙ lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part

הֲבִ֣ינֹתֶ֔ם bîyn H995 to understand V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp

מוֹסְד֖וֹת môwçâdâh H4146 foundation N-cp

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 40:21

הֲ/ל֤וֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תֵֽדְעוּ֙ yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.

הֲ/ל֣וֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

הֲ/ל֛וֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

הֻגַּ֥ד nâgad H5046 "to tell" V-Hophal-Perf-3ms

To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.

Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.

מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ rôʼsh H7218 "head" Prep | N-ms

This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.

Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum

Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.

לָ/כֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff

הֲ/לוֹא֙ lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

הֲבִ֣ינֹתֶ֔ם bîyn H995 "to understand" V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp

To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.

Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.

מוֹסְד֖וֹת môwçâdâh H4146 "foundation" N-cp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a foundation or base, like the starting point of a building. It appears in Psalm 11:3 and is also used in Proverbs 8:29 to describe the earth's foundation. This concept is key to understanding God's creation.

Definition: foundation Another spelling of mo.sad (מוֹסָד "foundation" H4144)

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: foundation. See also: Deuteronomy 32:22; Isaiah 24:18; Psalms 18:8.

הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Isaiah 40:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 40:21 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:21
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:21
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21
Sermons on Isaiah 40:21

Context — Here Is Your God!

19To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? 20One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.

21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth?

22He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 48:13	Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.
2	Psalms 50:6	And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah
3	Acts 14:17	Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
4	Isaiah 46:8	Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!
5	Psalms 115:8	Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.
6	Romans 1:28	Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
7	Romans 1:19–21	For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
8	Isaiah 51:13	But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?
9	Isaiah 27:11	When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
10	Isaiah 44:20	He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Isaiah 40:21 Summary

Isaiah 40:21 is a call to recognize and remember God's eternal existence and power, which has been declared since the foundation of the earth, as seen in Psalm 90:2. God is asking us if we have not heard or understood this truth, and He is emphasizing the foolishness of ignoring Him and worshiping idols instead, as stated in Isaiah 40:19-20. This verse is an invitation to seek to understand and respond to God's clear revelation, and to turn away from false gods and worship the true God, as seen in 1 John 5:21 and Exodus 20:3-5. By remembering God's eternal existence and power, we can seek to live in reverence and awe of Him, and to trust in His sovereignty over all things, as stated in Psalm 103:19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main point of Isaiah 40:21?

The main point of Isaiah 40:21 is to emphasize God's eternal existence and the foolishness of idolatry, as seen in the surrounding verses, Isaiah 40:19-20, where idols are contrasted with the true God who has declared His power from the beginning, as stated in Psalm 90:2 and Isaiah 46:10.

Why does God ask if we have not heard or understood since the foundation of the earth?

God asks this question to highlight the absurdity of ignoring His clear revelation, as seen in Romans 1:20, where it is stated that God's invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, and in Psalm 19:1-6, where the heavens declare the glory of God.

How does this verse relate to the rest of Isaiah 40?

Isaiah 40:21 serves as a transition to the description of God's power and sovereignty in Isaiah 40:22-23, emphasizing that the God who has been declaring His power from the beginning is the same God who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, as stated in Isaiah 40:22, and who brings princes to nothing, as seen in Daniel 4:35 and Psalm 135:6.

What is the significance of 'from the beginning' in this verse?

The phrase 'from the beginning' refers to the foundation of the earth, emphasizing that God's declaration of His power and existence has been clear since creation, as seen in Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, where God is described as the Creator of the universe.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I have ignored or neglected God's clear revelation in my life, and how can I seek to understand and respond to Him more fully?
How does the fact that God has declared His power from the beginning of the earth impact my perspective on my own life and circumstances?
In what ways can I seek to deepen my understanding of God's eternal existence and power, and how can I share this with others?
What are some idols or false gods that I may be tempted to worship, and how can I seek to turn away from them and worship the true God instead?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not known?] This is the speech of the prophet, directed to the idolaters, appealing to their own natural knowledge, who, from the light of nature, might know that idols were nothing, had no

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 40:21

Have 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? Have ye not know? - who worship idols.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not known, to wit, God to be the only true God, the Maker and Governor of the world, and all its inhabitants? how can you be ignorant of so evident a truth? He addresseth his speech to the idolatrous Gentiles. From the beginning, to wit, of the world, as the next clause explains it. Were not these infinite perfections of God manifestly discovered to all mankind by the creation of the world?

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21

Isaiah 40:21 Have 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?Ver. 21. Have ye not known? have ye not heard?] Both Jews and Gentiles went against the light; the former of the word, the latter of their own consciences, in thus "changing the glory of the incorruptible God into the similitude of a corruptible creature." Their ignorance was wilful and affected; some render this text, "Will ye not know? will ye not hear?" Idolaters are brutish and blockish; they that make them are like unto them.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21

(21) Have ye not known? . . .—Strictly speaking, the first two verbs are potential futures: Can ye not know . . . We note that the prophet appeals to the primary intuitions of mankind, or, at least, to a primitive revelation, rather than to the commandments of the Decalogue. (Comp. Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:4.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21

Verse 21. Have ye not known] On this verse Kimchi has a very interesting comment, an extract of which I subjoin. "The whole world may be considered as a house built up; heaven its roof; the stars its lamps; and the fruits of the earth its table spread. The Master of the house is God, blessed for ever; and man is the steward into whose hand all the business of the house is given. If he always consider in his heart that the Master of the house is continually over him, and that he keeps his eye upon his work, and if in consequence he acts wisely, he shall find favour in the eyes of the Master of the house. But if he find wickedness in the house, then will he remove him מן פקידתו min pekidutho, 'from his stewardship.' The foolish steward does not think of this; for as his eyes do not see the Master of the house, he saith in his heart, 'I will eat and drink what I find in this house, and will take my pleasure in it; nor shall I be careful whether there be a master over this house or not.' When the Lord of the house marks this, he comes and expels him from the house speedily, and with great anger; therefore it is said, Isaiah 40:23, He bringeth the princes to nothing." It seems that this parable had been long in use among the Jews, as our blessed Lord alludes to it in his parable of the unjust steward. Or did the rabbin, finding it to his purpose, steal the parable from the Gospel? In both places it has great and peculiar beauties. Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth - "Have ye not understood it from the foundations of the earth?"] The true reading seems to be ממוסדות mimmosedoth, to answer to מראש merosh in the foregoing line. It follows a word ending with מ mem, and out of three mems concurring, it was an easy mistake to drop the middle one.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 40:21

21. The next section (21–26) again commences with a series of questions driving home the force of the whole previous argument. The appeal seems to be still to mankind at large. have ye not heard? Rather: Do ye not know? Do ye not hear? The two avenues by which the knowledge of God reaches the mind are reflexion on the facts of nature and history, and external testimony. told you from the beginning) i.e. from the beginning of the world, by an unbroken tradition. from the foundations] The preposition “from” might easily have been accidentally omitted in the Heb. The LXX., indeed, and other Versions take “foundations” as obj. to “understood.” The parallelism seems to require the phrase to be taken in a temporal sense (cf. Romans 1:20). but there is no other case where the word has the sense of fundatio (properly, = fundamenta).

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not known? - This is evidently an address to the worshippers of idols, and either designed to be addressed to the Jews themselves in the times of Manasseh, when idolatry abounded, or to all idolaters.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 40:21

21. Such absurdities fit only for the sharpest sarcasm. Have ye not known… heard… from the beginning?

Sermons on Isaiah 40:21

	Sermon	Description
	The Secret of Strength by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Skip takes the audience through chapters 38 to 40 of the book of Isaiah. He emphasizes the greatness of God and His mighty powers. The sermon highlights the
	(Basics) 29. Praise Brings Deliverance by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God in difficult situations. He shares the story of King Jehoshaphat and how he led the people of Israel to victor
	We Are Scattered Like Sheep Without a Shepherd by Ausbund	Leonhard Schiemer preaches about the persecution and suffering faced by believers, likening them to scattered sheep without a shepherd, hunted game birds, and lambs led back to tow
	Be Sure by Bill McLeod	In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a conversation he had with someone who had committed a serious crime but claimed to have found salvation. The speaker emphasizes that
	Acts 14_pt1 by Bill Gallatin	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of grace and redemption. He highlights that God loves His people and desires to show Himself faithful. The preacher also discuss
	The Character of God by Timothy Dwight	Timothy Dwight preaches on the story of Job, a righteous man who faced immense suffering and accusations from his friends. Despite his trials, Job maintained his integrity and even
	Man's Misconceptions of the Works of God. by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar emphasizes that God's governance and judgment over nations are evident through natural phenomena, which serve as His voice and means of communication with humanity.