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Isaiah 40:21 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?
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Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to the words of God— the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations of the earth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Hasn't it been clear since the time of creation? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Don't you understand the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do you not know? Were you not told long ago? Have you not heard how the world began? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You know, don't you? You have heard, haven't you? Hasn't it been told you from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told to you since the very beginning? Have you not understood from the time the earth's foundations were made? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Haven't you known? Haven't you heard, yet? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do you not know—do you not hear? Has it not been declared from the first to you? Have you not understood "" [From] the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Will ye not know? will ye not hear? was it not announced to you from the beginning? did ye not understand from the foundations of the earth?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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 ? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been announced to you from the beginning? Have you not understood the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? Was it not told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the founding of the earth? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Have you not heard? Have you not known? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Have you not heard and have you not known, and was it not told to you from the beginning, and have you not understood the foundations of The Earth?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Know ye not? hear ye not? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Will ye not know? will ye not hear? has it not been told you of old? Have ye not known the foundations of the earth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=8645" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Here is Your God!</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>To one bereft of an offering who chooses wood that will not rot, who seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple? <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do you not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: ṯê·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Have you not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: ṯiš·mā·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Has it not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hug·gaḏ (V-Hofal-Perf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">been declared to you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: mê·rōš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">from the beginning?</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Have you not</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: hă·ḇî·nō·ṯem (V-Hifil-Perf-2mp) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understood</a> <a href="/hebrew/4146.htm" title="4146: mō·ws·ḏō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- A foundation. Or mocadah; feminine of mowcad; a foundation.">since the foundation</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth?</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>He 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-19.htm">Romans 1:19-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-7.htm">Job 12:7-9</a></span><br />But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. / Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you. / Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15-17</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. / In past generations, He let all nations go their own way. / 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-28</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. / From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-12.htm">Jeremiah 10:12-13</a></span><br />The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. / When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6-9</a></span><br />By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses. / Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4-7</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-25</a></span><br />How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. / Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Hebrews 11:3</a></span><br />By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22-31</a></span><br />The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Nehemiah 9:6</a></span><br />You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a></span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a></span><br />“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have you not known? have you not heard? has it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></b></br> When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, <i>and</i> set them on fire: for it <i>is</i> a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a></b></br> He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, <i>Is there</i> not a lie in my right hand?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/46-8.htm">Isaiah 46:8</a></b></br> Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring <i>it</i> again to mind, O ye transgressors.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/33-23.htm">Base</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-7.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-10.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-29.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-4.htm">First</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-6.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-18.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Founded</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-5.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-1.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-9.htm">News</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-13.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/48-13.htm">Base</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">First</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Founded</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">News</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-13.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 40</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-1.htm">The promulgation of the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">The preaching of John Baptist foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-9.htm">The preaching of the apostles foretold</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">The prophet, by the omnipotence of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">And his incomparableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Comforts the people.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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It implies that the knowledge of God’s greatness should be evident and accessible to all. This echoes the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. It also reflects the idea that God's attributes are evident in creation, as seen in <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a>, where Paul states that God's invisible qualities have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.<p><b>Have you not heard?</b><br>This phrase suggests that the truth about God has been communicated verbally, possibly through the oral traditions and teachings of the prophets. It emphasizes the importance of listening to and remembering the teachings of the past. In <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>, the Shema instructs the Israelites to hear and remember the Lord's commandments, highlighting the significance of hearing in the transmission of faith.<p><b>Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?</b><br>This points to the longstanding revelation of God's nature and works, suggesting that these truths have been proclaimed since the earliest times. It may refer to the creation narrative in Genesis, where God’s power and purpose are first revealed. The phrase underscores the continuity and consistency of God's message throughout history, aligning with the idea that God’s word is eternal, as seen in <a href="/psalms/119-89.htm">Psalm 119:89</a>.<p><b>Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth?</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the foundational nature of God's revelation, suggesting that understanding of God should be as fundamental as the creation itself. It implies that the order and design of the universe testify to God's existence and attributes. This is consistent with the wisdom literature, such as <a href="/job/38.htm">Job 38</a>, where God questions Job about the creation of the world, highlighting human limitations in understanding divine wisdom. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the foundation of all creation, as seen in <a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1-3</a>, where Jesus is described as the Word through whom all things were made.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who authored the book, delivering messages from God to the people of Israel during a time of impending judgment and future hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies, often reminded of their covenant relationship with God and their history of receiving divine revelation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/creation.htm">Creation</a></b><br>The reference to "the foundations of the earth" points to the act of creation, emphasizing God's eternal power and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_eternal_revelation.htm">God's Eternal Revelation</a></b><br>God's truth has been evident from the beginning of creation. We are called to recognize and respond to His eternal revelation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>The repeated questions emphasize the need to listen and understand God's messages. Are we attentive to His voice in Scripture and creation?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/foundations_of_faith.htm">Foundations of Faith</a></b><br>Our faith is grounded in the historical and foundational truths of God's Word. Reflect on how these truths shape your understanding of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/creation_as_a_witness.htm">Creation as a Witness</a></b><br>Creation itself testifies to God's existence and attributes. Spend time in nature to reflect on God's majesty and creativity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness.htm">Spiritual Awareness</a></b><br>Cultivate an awareness of God's presence and work in the world. How can you grow in understanding and recognizing His hand in your life?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_40.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_god's_infiniteness_mean.htm">What does God's infiniteness mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_will_god's_acts_change_the_world.htm">How will God's salvation and judgment transform the world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_40_22__flat_or_spherical_earth.htm">Isaiah 40:22: Does this “circle of the earth” imply a flat Earth or a sphere, and how can we be sure of the ancient writer’s intended meaning? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_creator_of_god.htm">Who is the creator of God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/40.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Have ye not known? . . .</span>--Strictly speaking, the first two verbs are potential futures: <span class= "ital">Can ye not know </span><span class= "bld">. . .</span> 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. <a href="/romans/1-20.htm" title="For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:">Romans 1:20</a>; <a href="/psalms/19-4.htm" title="Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,">Psalm 19:4</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Have ye not known?</span> Hitherto the prophet has restrained himself, and confined himself to quiet sarcasm. Now he bursts out. Is there any one so insensate, so devoid of natural reason and understanding, as not to know what has been known to all from the beginning - yea, from the foundations of the earth - by "the light that is in them," viz. that God is something wholly different from this? - that he is such a One as the prophet proceeds to describe in vers. 22-24, alike above nature and above man, Lord of heaven and earth, and absolute Disposer of the fates of all men? <span class="cmt_word">Hath it not been told you?</span> If ye have not known the nature of God by the light of nature, has it not come down to you by tradition? Have not your fathers told it you? Has it not been handed on by sire to son from the very foundation of the earth? The appeal is to men generally, not especially to Israel. <span class="cmt_word">Have ye not understood, etc.?</span> Some omit the preposition after "understood," and render the passage thus: "Have ye not understood the foundations of the earth?" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> how it was founded, or created - that its creation was God's sole act? (so the LXX., the Vulgate, Gesenius, Hitzig, Delitzsch, Knobel, Kay; but Ewald, Henderson, Weir, and Mr. Cheyne prefer the rendering of the Authorized Version). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do you not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֤וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know?</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵֽדְעוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯê·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Have you not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֣וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard?</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·mā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Has it not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֛וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been declared to you</span><br /><span class="heb">הֻגַּ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(hug·gaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the beginning?</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרֹ֖אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Have you not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלוֹא֙</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understood</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲבִ֣ינֹתֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hă·ḇî·nō·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since the foundation</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹסְד֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mō·ws·ḏō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4146.htm">Strong's 4146: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foundation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the earth?</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-21.htm">Isaiah 40:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-21.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:21 Haven't you known? Haven't you heard yet? (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>