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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 40:17 All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/40-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/23_Isa_40_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 40:17 - Here is Your God!" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/40-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/40-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/40.htm">Chapter 40</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/40-16.htm" title="Isaiah 40:16">◄</a> Isaiah 40:17 <a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm" title="Isaiah 40:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/40.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In his eyes they count for less than nothing— mere emptiness and froth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />All nations before him <i>are</i> as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />All nations before Him <i>are</i> as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; They are counted by Him as non-existent and <i>utterly</i> formless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him; they are considered by him as empty nothingness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; they are considered by Him as nothingness and emptiness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God thinks of the nations as far less than nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him; they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All the nations amount to nothing in his presence. He considers them less than nothing and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The nations are nothing at all to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him— they are reckoned by him as nothing and chaos.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />All the nations [are] as nothing before Him, "" Less than nothing and emptiness, "" They have been reckoned to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> All the nations are as nothing before Him, Less than nothing and emptiness, They have been reckoned to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />All the nations as nothing before him; they were reckoned to him from nothing, and vanity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />All nations are before him as if they had no being at all, and are counted to him as nothing, and vanity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />All the nations in his sight are as if they did not exist, and they are considered by him as if they were nothingness and emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Before him all the nations are as nought, as nothing and void he counts them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him for destruction and the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the nations are considered as nothing to him. They are considered by him for destruction and for the sword<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />All the nations are as nothing before Him; They are accounted by Him as things of nought, and vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and all the nations are as nothing, and counted as nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-17.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=8613" 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">16</span>Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: kə·’a·yin (Prep-k:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">are as nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: neḡ·dōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">before Him;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: neḥ·šə·ḇū- (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To think, account. ">He regards them</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/657.htm" title="657: mê·’e·p̄es (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- From 'aphec; cessation, i.e. An end; often used adverb, no further; also the ankle, as being the extremity of the leg or foot.">as nothingness</a> <a href="/hebrew/8414.htm" title="8414: wā·ṯō·hū (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation, i.e. Desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain.">and emptiness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?…<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="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a></span><br />Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Philippians 3:8</a></span><br />More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/25-6.htm">Job 25:6</a></span><br />how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Romans 3:12</a></span><br />All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">1 Corinthians 1:28-29</a></span><br />He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a></span><br />You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a></span><br />“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10-15</a></span><br />But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. / Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” / The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">2 Corinthians 4:18</a></span><br />So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-20.htm">Psalm 73:20</a></span><br />Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.</p><p class="hdg">as nothing</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/25-6.htm">Job 25:6</a></b></br> How much less man, <i>that is</i> a worm? and the son of man, <i>which is</i> a worm?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a></b></br> Surely men of low degree <i>are</i> vanity, <i>and</i> men of high degree <i>are</i> a lie: to be laid in the balance, they <i>are</i> altogether <i>lighter</i> than vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-34.htm">Daniel 4:34,35</a></b></br> And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion <i>is</i> an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom <i>is</i> from generation to generation: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Emptiness</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-15.htm">Less</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-12.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Value</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-22.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Emptiness</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-24.htm">Less</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-18.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Value</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-24.htm">Worthless</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/40.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/40.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>All the nations are as nothing before Him;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and majesty of God in comparison to the nations of the world. In the context of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the Israelites during a time of exile and uncertainty, reminding them of God's ultimate authority over all earthly powers. Historically, the nations surrounding Israel, such as Assyria and Babylon, were seen as mighty and formidable. However, this passage underscores that, in God's eyes, even the greatest empires are insignificant. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/2.htm">Psalm 2:1-4</a>, where the nations' attempts to defy God are met with divine laughter. Theologically, this highlights God's omnipotence and the futility of human pride and power against His will.<p><b>He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.</b><br>The terms "nothingness" and "emptiness" convey the idea of void and lack of substance. This reflects the biblical theme of the transient nature of human achievements and the futility of relying on worldly power. In the cultural context of Isaiah's time, nations often boasted of their strength and accomplishments, yet this passage reminds believers that true significance and value are found only in God. This concept is further illustrated in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the impermanence of earthly treasures in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>. Additionally, the prophetic nature of Isaiah's message points to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who establishes a kingdom not of this world, as seen in <a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a>. This serves as a call to place trust and hope in God's eternal kingdom rather than in temporal powers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a></b><br>In this context, "nations" refers to the various peoples and kingdoms of the earth. The verse emphasizes their insignificance in comparison to God's majesty and power.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, God is portrayed as supreme and sovereign, with all nations being insignificant before Him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies. Judah was often tempted to rely on alliances with other nations rather than trusting in God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah includes the looming threat of Babylon, which would eventually lead to the exile of Judah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is supreme over all nations and powers. No earthly authority can compare to His majesty and control.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_insignificance.htm">Human Insignificance</a></b><br>Understand our place in the grand scheme of God's creation. While nations may seem powerful, they are ultimately insignificant without God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god_alone.htm">Trust in God Alone</a></b><br>In times of uncertainty or fear, especially regarding national or global events, place your trust in God rather than in human institutions or alliances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Approach God with humility, acknowledging that our achievements and power are nothing without His blessing and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Keep an eternal perspective, focusing on God's kingdom rather than being overly concerned with the rise and fall of earthly nations.<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/why_does_jeremiah_46_6_lack_evidence.htm">Jeremiah 46:6 – Why does the text suggest a drastic and sudden collapse of Egyptian forces that lacks significant archeological evidence? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_psalm_62_9_and_genesis_1_27_align.htm">Psalm 62:9 suggests all people are “nothing” in comparison to God—how does this align with other passages like Genesis 1:27 that emphasize human value? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_40_15_vs._historical_empires.htm">Isaiah 40:15: How does the claim that nations are 'like a drop in a bucket' stand up against known historical records of powerful empires?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_ever_tired_(isaiah_40_28_vs._exodus_31_17).htm">Does God get tired? (Isaiah 40:28 vs. Exodus 31:17)</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>(17) <span class= "bld">Less than nothing.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">as things of nought.</span><p><span class= "bld">Vanity.</span>--Once more the <span class= "ital">tohu, </span>or chaos, of <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm" title="And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.">Genesis 1:2</a>--one of Isaiah's favourite phrases (<a href="/context/isaiah/24-10.htm" title="The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.">Isaiah 24:10, Isa_29:21, Isa_34:11</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All nations</span>; rather, <span class="accented">all the nations</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> all the nations of the earth put together. In ver. 15 single "nations" had been declared to be of no account; now the same is said of all the nations of the earth collectively. They are accounted of God as '<span class="accented">ephes</span>, nothingness, and <span class="accented">tohu</span>, chaos or confusion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-17.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">All</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּוֹיִ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are as nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאַ֣יִן</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before Him;</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶגְדּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(neḡ·dōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He regards them</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶחְשְׁבוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(neḥ·šə·ḇū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To think, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as nothingness</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֶ֥פֶס</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’e·p̄es)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_657.htm">Strong's 657: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cessation, an end, no further, the ankle, foot</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and emptiness.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָתֹ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ṯō·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8414.htm">Strong's 8414: </a> </span><span class="str2">A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-17.htm">Isaiah 40:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-17.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:17 All the nations are like nothing before (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:18" /></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>