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Isaiah 40:27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God"?
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Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/40.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/40.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/40.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: “My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/40.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, Jacob, and you assert, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God “?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/40.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/40.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from Yahweh, And the justice due me passes by my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/40.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/40.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob, why do you say, and Israel, why do you assert, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/40.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob, why do you say, and Israel, why do you assert:” My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/40.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/40.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You people of Israel say, "God pays no attention to us! He doesn't care if we are treated unjustly." But how can you say that? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/40.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed away from my God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/40.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jacob, why do you complain? Israel, why do you say, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my rights are ignored by my God"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/40.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn't know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/40.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Jacob, why do you say— and Israel, why do you complain— 'My predicament is hidden from the LORD, and my cause is ignored by my God.'?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/40.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, ?My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/40.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, "The LORD is not aware of what is happening to me, My God is not concerned with my vindication"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/40.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, Jacob, and why do you assert, Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/40.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over by my God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/40.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, “My way is hidden from Yahweh, and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/40.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way has been hid from YHWH, "" And from my God my judgment passes over?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/40.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why sayest thou, O Jacob? and speakest thou, O Israel? 'My way hath been hid from Jehovah, And from my God my judgment passeth over.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/40.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For what wilt thou say, O Jacob, and wilt thou speak, O Israel, My way was hid from Jehovah, and my judgment will pass over from my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/40.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel: My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/40.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why do you say this, O Jacob, and why do you speak this way, O Israel? “My way has been hidden from the Lord, and my judgment escaped notice by my God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/40.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/40.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/40.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and say, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD and justice is not rendered by my God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/40.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why, Yaqob, are you speaking, and you, Israel, say, “My ways are hidden from LORD JEHOVAH, and my judgment passes away from my God?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/40.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why sayest thou, O Jacob, And speakest, O Israel: 'My way is hid from the LORD, And my right is passed over from my God'?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/40.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For say not thou, O Jacob, and why hast thou spoken, Israel, <i>saying</i>, My way is hid from God, and my God has taken away <i>my</i> judgement, and has departed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/40-27.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=8712" 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">26</span>Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ṯō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">do you say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">O Jacob,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ū·ṯə·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf-2ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and why do you assert,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">O Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: ḏar·kî (N-csc:: 1cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">“My way</a> <a href="/hebrew/5641.htm" title="5641: nis·tə·rāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide, literally or figuratively.">is hidden</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">from the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pā·ṭî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Judgment. ">and my claim</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ya·‘ă·ḇō·wr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">is ignored</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ū·mê·’ĕ·lō·hay (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">by my God”?</a> </span><span class="reftext">28</span>Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.…<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/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8-10</a></span><br />If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him. / When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him. / Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a></span><br />You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></span><br />He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm">Lamentations 3:39-40</a></span><br />Why should any mortal man complain, in view of his sins? / Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2-3</a></span><br />How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? / Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-24.htm">Psalm 44:24</a></span><br />Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></span><br />They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-29.htm">Matthew 10:29-31</a></span><br />Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-6.htm">Luke 12:6-7</a></span><br />Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-36</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why say you, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?</p><p class="hdg">* sayest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14,15</a></b></br> But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/54-6.htm">Isaiah 54:6-8</a></b></br> For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/60-15.htm">Isaiah 60:15</a></b></br> Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through <i>thee</i>, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/36-18.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-16.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezra/9-10.htm">Disregarded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Due</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Escapes</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-20.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-23.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/psalms/142-4.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-8.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/41-22.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/matthew/22-5.htm">Disregarded</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-4.htm">Due</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-19.htm">Escapes</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-29.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-22.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-22.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-19.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-15.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Right</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-1.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Speakest</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Words</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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Jacob was the patriarch whose name was changed to Israel after wrestling with God (<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a>). This dual naming emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. The rhetorical question suggests a rebuke or correction, indicating that the people are expressing doubt or misunderstanding about God's awareness and care for them. Historically, this was a period of exile and suffering for Israel, leading to feelings of abandonment.<p><b>“My way is hidden from the LORD,</b><br>The phrase reflects a sentiment of despair and perceived neglect. The Israelites felt that their struggles and paths were unnoticed by God. This can be connected to the broader biblical theme of God's omniscience, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a>, which affirms that nothing is hidden from God. Theologically, this challenges the Israelites' understanding of God's nature, reminding them that God is always aware of their circumstances.<p><b>and my claim is ignored by my God”?</b><br>This part of the verse expresses a sense of injustice or unanswered prayer. The "claim" refers to their cries for help or justice, which they feel are being overlooked. This sentiment is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the laments found in the Psalms (e.g., <a href="/psalms/13.htm">Psalm 13:1-2</a>). Theologically, this reflects a testing of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's timing and justice, even when immediate circumstances seem bleak. The verse challenges the Israelites to remember God's past faithfulness and to trust in His future deliverance, a theme that is fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's ultimate response to human suffering and injustice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>Represents the nation of Israel, named after the patriarch Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. This reflects the collective identity and struggles of the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, often used interchangeably with Jacob, highlighting their covenant relationship with God and their historical journey.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is omniscient and omnipresent, aware of all the ways and claims of His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_prophet_isaiah.htm">The Prophet Isaiah</a></b><br>The author of the book, who served as a prophet during a tumultuous time in Israel's history, bringing messages of both judgment and hope.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile_context.htm">The Exile Context</a></b><br>The backdrop of this passage is the Babylonian exile, a period of great distress and questioning of God's presence and justice by the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience_and_omnipresence.htm">God's Omniscience and Omnipresence</a></b><br>God is fully aware of our circumstances and struggles. We are never hidden from His sight, even when we feel overlooked or forgotten.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>When we feel that our claims are disregarded, we must trust in God's perfect justice and timing. He sees and will act according to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_trials.htm">The Importance of Faith in Trials</a></b><br>Like Israel, we may face times of doubt and questioning. These moments are opportunities to deepen our faith and reliance on God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant_faithfulness.htm">God's Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite Israel's feelings of abandonment, God's covenant with them remains steadfast. We can trust in His faithfulness to His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_community.htm">Encouragement in Community</a></b><br>As a community of believers, we should encourage one another, reminding each other of God's presence and care, especially in times of doubt.<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/how_does_wisdom_lead_to_foolishness.htm">Is there only one shepherd?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_27_7-9_conflict_with_ezekiel_18.htm">Isaiah 27:7-9 describes collective punishment or forgiveness--does this conflict with other Old Testament texts emphasizing individual responsibility (e.g., Ezekiel 18)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_annunciation.htm">What is the Annunciation?</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>(27) <span class= "bld">Why sayest thou, O Jacob.</span>--The eternity and infinity of God is presented not only as rebuking the folly of the idolater, but as the ground of comfort to His people. His is no transient favour, no capricious will. (Comp. <a href="/context/romans/11-29.htm" title="For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.">Romans 11:29-36</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/40.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">O Jacob ... O Israel</span> (For this pleonastic combination, so characteristic of Isaiah, see <a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">Isaiah 9:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-21.htm">Isaiah 10:21, 22</a>; <a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">Isaiah 14:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/27-6.htm">Isaiah 27:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-23.htm">Isaiah 29:23</a>, in the earlier chapters; and <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/42-24.htm">Isaiah 42:24</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-1.htm">Isaiah 43:1, 22, 28</a>; <a href="/isaiah/44-1.htm">Isaiah 44:1, 5, 23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/45-4.htm">Isaiah 45:4</a>; <a href="/isaiah/46-3.htm">Isaiah 46:3</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-5.htm">Isaiah 49:5, 6</a>, etc., in the later ones.) <span class="cmt_word">Why sayest thou ... My way is hid?</span> The prophet has gone back to the time when Israel is suffering all the calamities of the Captivity, instead of being on the point of emerging from it, as in vers. 9-11, and he now hears the complaints of the exiles, who think that God has forsaken them - that he does not see their "way" of life, or regard their sufferings. <span class="cmt_word">My judgment</span>. Delitzsch and Mr. Cheyne translate "my <span class="accented">right</span>," and understand the "right" of Israel to be independent of its oppressors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/40-27.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">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֤מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you say,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאמַר֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Jacob,</span><br /><span class="heb">יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and why do you assert,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּתְדַבֵּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ṯə·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“My way</span><br /><span class="heb">דַרְכִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḏar·kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is hidden</span><br /><span class="heb">נִסְתְּרָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(nis·tə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5641.htm">Strong's 5641: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽיְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and my claim</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפָּטִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(miš·pā·ṭî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is ignored</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲבֽוֹר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·ḇō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by my God”?</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמֵאֱלֹהַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mê·’ĕ·lō·hay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:27 Why do you say Jacob and speak (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 40:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 40:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 40:28" /></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>