ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 40
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Yahweh speaks to His people, assuring them that those who wait for Him will find strength and renewal, which directly addresses their weariness and need for hope.
What Isaiah 40 is about
Yahweh commands comfort for His people, telling them to speak comfortably to Jerusalem. Her warfare is accomplished, and her iniquity is pardoned (vv. 1-2). A voice calls to prepare a way for Yahweh in the wilderness and make a highway in the desert (vv. 3-5). Human life is compared to grass, with its glory fading, while 'the word of our God stands forever' (vv. 6-8). Those who proclaim good news to Zion are encouraged to lift their voices, announcing the might of Yahweh, who will come as a shepherd (vv. 9-11). Yahweh's sovereignty is shown as He measures creation and sees nations as insignificant (vv. 12-17). The text questions any comparison to God, revealing His unique authority (vv. 18-24). Finally, it notes that even the strong may grow weary, but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength (vv. 25-31).
Those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength and not faint.
Isaiah 40 at a glance
- Isaiah 40:1–2Comfort for God's People
- Isaiah 40:3–5Preparation for God's Coming
- Isaiah 40:6–8Human Frailty and God's Eternal Word
- Isaiah 40:9–11Proclamation of God's Might
- Isaiah 40:12–17God's Sovereignty Over Creation
- Isaiah 40:18–24God's Uniqueness and Authority
- Isaiah 40:25–31Renewal for Those Who Wait
Key verse: Isaiah 40:31
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 40 (WEB)
Comfort for God's People Isaiah 40:1–2
1Verse 1. “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2Verse 2. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.”
Preparation for God's Coming Isaiah 40:3–5
3Verse 3. The voice of one who calls out,“Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!Make a level highway in the desert for our God.4Verse 4. Every valley shall be exalted,and every mountain and hill shall be made low.The uneven shall be made level,and the rough places a plain.5Verse 5. Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together;for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.”
Human Frailty and God's Eternal Word Isaiah 40:6–8
6Verse 6. The voice of one saying, “Cry!”One said, “What shall I cry?”“All flesh is like grass,and all its glory is like the flower of the field.7Verse 7. The grass withers,the flower fades,because Yahweh’s breath blows on it.Surely the people are like grass.8Verse 8. The grass withers,the flower fades;but the word of our God stands forever.”
Proclamation of God's Might Isaiah 40:9–11
9Verse 9. You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength.Lift it up. Don’t be afraid.Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!”10Verse 10. Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one,and his arm will rule for him.Behold, his reward is with him,and his recompense before him.11Verse 11. He will feed his flock like a shepherd.He will gather the lambs in his arm,and carry them in his bosom.He will gently lead those who have their young.
God's Sovereignty Over Creation Isaiah 40:12–17
12Verse 12. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,and marked off the sky with his span,and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,and weighed the mountains in scales,and the hills in a balance?13Verse 13. Who has directed Yahweh’s Spirit,or has taught him as his counselor?14Verse 14. Who did he take counsel with,and who instructed him,and taught him in the path of justice,and taught him knowledge,and showed him the way of understanding?15Verse 15. Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.16Verse 16. Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.17Verse 17. All the nations are like nothing before him.They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
God's Uniqueness and Authority Isaiah 40:18–24
18Verse 18. To whom then will you liken God?Or what likeness will you compare to him?19Verse 19. A workman has cast an image,and the goldsmith overlays it with gold,and casts silver chains for it.20Verse 20. He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot.He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.21Verse 21. 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?22Verse 22. It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;23Verse 23. who brings princes to nothing;who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless.24Verse 24. They are planted scarcely.They are sown scarcely.Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.He merely blows on them, and they wither,and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
Renewal for Those Who Wait Isaiah 40:25–31
25Verse 25. “To whom then will you liken me?Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.26Verse 26. Lift up your eyes on high,and see who has created these,who brings out their army by number.He calls them all by name.by the greatness of his might,and because he is strong in power,Not one is lacking.27Verse 27. Why do you say, Jacob,and speak, Israel,“My way is hidden from Yahweh,and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?”28Verse 28. Haven’t you known?Haven’t you heard?The everlasting God, Yahweh,The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint.He isn’t weary.His understanding is unsearchable.29Verse 29. He gives power to the weak.He increases the strength of him who has no might.30Verse 30. Even the youths faint and get weary,and the young men utterly fall;31Verse 31. But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.They will mount up with wings like eagles.They will run, and not be weary.They will walk, and not faint.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 40
Comfort and Hope
In verses 1-2, God commands comfort for His people, specifically addressing Jerusalem. The text calls for reassurance, stating that 'her warfare is accomplished' and 'her iniquity is pardoned,' indicating a time of peace and healing. This comfort comes from God's presence and the promise of restoration, providing hope for those who have suffered.
Sovereignty of God
Verses 12-17 declare God's sovereignty over creation by posing rhetorical questions regarding His power. The text states that 'the nations are like a drop in a bucket' and 'regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.' These assertions affirm God's absolute authority, indicating that all creation is under His control and diminishing the significance of earthly powers.
Human Frailty
In verses 6-8, the text acknowledges human frailty by comparing 'all flesh' to grass, stating that 'the grass withers, the flower fades.' This comparison illustrates the transient nature of human life and glory, while simultaneously affirming that God's word 'stands forever.' The contrast between human limitations and divine permanence is clearly articulated.
Divine Restoration
Verses 29-31 speak of divine restoration, where God gives strength to the weak. The text assures that 'those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength,' portraying a transformative promise for the weary. This theme culminates in the imagery of soaring like eagles, suggesting an elevation from human limitations to divine empowerment.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 40 unfolds
Isaiah 40:1–2 Comfort for God's People
God commands, 'Comfort, comfort my people,' and tells them to speak comfortably to Jerusalem, declaring that her 'warfare is accomplished' and 'her iniquity is pardoned' (vv. 1-2).
Isaiah 40:3–5 Preparation for God's Coming
A voice commands to 'Prepare the way of Yahweh' and to 'Make a level highway in the desert,' assuring that 'Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed' (vv. 3-5).
Isaiah 40:6–8 Human Frailty and God's Eternal Word
The voice emphasizes the transience of humanity, comparing people to grass that withers, while affirming that 'the word of our God stands forever' (vv. 6-8).
Isaiah 40:9–11 Proclamation of God's Might
Messengers are encouraged to proclaim the power and presence of God, who will come as a mighty ruler and shepherd, offering care and guidance (vv. 9-11).
Isaiah 40:12–17 God's Sovereignty Over Creation
Questions about creation's measurement ask who has 'measured the waters' and 'weighed the mountains,' asserting that the nations are 'like a drop in a bucket' (vv. 12-17).
Isaiah 40:18–24 God's Uniqueness and Authority
Rhetorical questions inquire, 'To whom then will you liken God?' and declare that God 'sits above the circle of the earth,' contrasting Him with human rulers (vv. 18-24).
Isaiah 40:25–31 Renewal for Those Who Wait
God asks, 'To whom then will you liken me?' and assures that 'the everlasting God, Yahweh' gives power to the weak, promising renewal to those who 'wait for Yahweh' (vv. 25-31).
Key verses
Isaiah 40:31Yahweh speaks to His people, assuring them that those who wait for Him will find strength and renewal, which directly addresses their weariness and need for hope.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 40
- observeIn v2, what does it mean that 'her warfare is accomplished'?
- observeWhat is meant by 'the voice of one who calls out' in v3?
- interpretThe imagery in vv. 4-5: how do the mountains and valleys relate to God's glory?
- interpretIn v27, what does Israel's claim that 'my way is hidden from Yahweh' indicate about their faith?
- applyWhen have you felt like you needed to 'wait for Yahweh' as mentioned in v31?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 40
- 2 Corinthians 4Isaiah 40:31 and 2 Corinthians 4:16Both renew strength: Isaiah 40:31 says they will renew their strength, while 2 Corinthians 4:16 says inward man is renewed.
- Philippians 4Isaiah 40:29 and Philippians 4:13Both strength given: Isaiah 40:29 says He gives power to the weak, while Philippians 4:13 states Christ strengthens me.
- Isaiah 41Isaiah 40:29 and Isaiah 41:10Both God strengthens: Isaiah 40:29 mentions He gives power, while Isaiah 41:10 promises I will strengthen you.
- Matthew 24Isaiah 40:8 and Matthew 24:35Both word endures: Isaiah 40:8 states the word of our God stands forever, while Matthew 24:35 affirms my words will not pass away.
- 2 Corinthians 12Isaiah 40:31 and 2 Corinthians 12:9Both strength in weakness: Isaiah 40:31 says they will not faint, while 2 Corinthians 12:9 highlights power made perfect in weakness.
- Psalm 27Isaiah 40:31 and Psalm 27:13Both confidence in Yahweh: Isaiah 40:31 says those who wait will renew strength, while Psalm 27:13 expresses confidence in seeing goodness.
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Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 220Day 220 of 365: Isaiah 38–41.
- SalvationWhat the Bible says about salvation, with verses.
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