Isaiah 46 5

Isaiah 46:5 kjv

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Isaiah 46:5 nkjv

"To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we should be alike?

Isaiah 46:5 niv

"With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

Isaiah 46:5 esv

"To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?

Isaiah 46:5 nlt

"To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?

Isaiah 46 verses

Isaiah 46 5 Meaning

Isaiah 46:5 presents a rhetorical question from God to His people, directly challenging them to find anyone or anything in creation comparable to Him. It underscores God's singular, incomparable nature and absolute supremacy, setting Him apart from all idols and false gods worshipped by surrounding nations. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of monotheism and an explicit repudiation of polytheistic thought, reminding Israel of the unique covenant relationship they share with the One, True God who alone is capable of delivering and sustaining.

Isaiah 46 5 Context

Isaiah chapter 46 is situated within the latter part of Isaiah (often called "Second Isaiah," chapters 40-55), a section focusing on God's comfort and future deliverance of His people from Babylonian exile. The overarching theme is the incomparability and sovereignty of the Lord, especially in contrast to the impotent gods of Babylon. The verses preceding chapter 46 set the stage by announcing Babylon's impending downfall and the futility of its idols, which are depicted as burdensome cargo to be carried, incapable of saving themselves or their worshippers. Verse 5 is a direct, rhetorical challenge posed by God, contrasting His faithful, caring nature (He "carries" His people from birth to old age, Isa 46:3-4) with the idols that must be carried by their devotees (Isa 46:1-2, 6-7). This rhetorical question highlights the stark difference between the true God who actively delivers and sustains His people, and lifeless idols that depend on humans.

Historically and culturally, Israel was constantly surrounded by polytheistic societies, particularly in Mesopotamia, where gods were often associated with natural phenomena, territorial power, or even astral bodies. Idolatry was a pervasive temptation, and often involved complex rituals, images, and sacrifices. This verse directly refutes such beliefs, positioning Yahweh as utterly unique, incomparable to any other so-called god, and as the only One deserving of worship and trust. It's a polemic against the worldview where deities are either extensions of nature, subject to fate, or comparable to human constructs.

Isaiah 46 5 Word analysis

• To whom (לְמִי l'mî): A pointed interrogative particle, setting up a rhetorical question. It expects no plausible answer, implying "to absolutely no one."

• will ye liken me (תְדַמְיוּנִי tədamyûnî): From the Hebrew root דָּמָה (damah), meaning "to be like," "to resemble," "to compare." This term implies an external similarity or appearance. God challenges them to find an external image or concept that would be "like" Him.

• and make me equal (וְתַשְׁווּ v'tašwû): From the root שָׁוָה (shavah), meaning "to be level," "to be equal," "to be even with." This word moves beyond mere resemblance to suggest a fundamental equivalence or parity. God challenges them to find anything that possesses His inherent value, authority, or power.

• and compare me (וְתַמְשִׁילוּנִי v'tamšîlûnî): From the root מָשַׁל (mashal), meaning "to rule," "to be like," "to parable." While often translated as "compare," this particular form used here carries a strong nuance of making a similitude or giving a likeness. It reinforces the idea of trying to place God on the same plane as another, specifically through deliberate intellectual or artistic efforts to form an analogy.

• and we be comparable (וְנִדְמֶה v'nidmeh): This final phrase, a Niphal imperfect form of damah, functions as the concluding thought or the rhetorical impossibility. It implies "so that I might be found to be like," or "and I should be made comparable." It solidifies the absolute uniqueness: any attempt to liken, equate, or compare God would utterly fail, because no such thing could truly be found to be "like" Him in essence or action.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "To whom will ye liken me and make me equal and compare me": The triple use of verbs (liken, equal, compare) in quick succession intensifies the rhetorical force of the question. It emphasizes the absolute impossibility of finding any peer or equivalent for God, whether in physical form, abstract concept, or practical function. This strong negation serves as a robust polemic against idolatry and any attempt to conceptualize God within human or material limitations. It highlights God's transcendence and His unique identity as the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

Isaiah 46 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew literary style employs merismus or similar rhetorical techniques by using multiple synonyms (liken, equal, compare) to express a complete range of concepts—from superficial similarity to fundamental equivalence. This emphasizes the comprehensive impossibility of finding anything comparable to God in any aspect. The very syntax serves to magnify God's uniqueness.

Furthermore, this verse also has significant implications for how we perceive "truth" or ultimate reality. In a world of competing philosophies, ideologies, and worldviews, Isaiah 46:5 declares that only one God holds the monopoly on ultimate truth and reality, and He is beyond human attempts to define or encapsulate Him with finite terms or forms. This is a crucial distinction that separates biblical monotheism from various forms of human spirituality or religious syncretism that seek to find commonality between God and other deities or philosophical constructs. It underscores that revelation is from Him to us, not a human construction towards Him.

Isaiah 46 5 Commentary

Isaiah 46:5 serves as a theological cornerstone in the book of Isaiah and the Old Testament as a whole. It is a profound declaration of God's incomparable sovereignty and singular being. This verse directly counters the prevalent polytheistic mindset of ancient Mesopotamia and later generations, dismantling any notion that the God of Israel is merely one deity among many. The three verbs – to liken, to make equal, to compare – systematically strip away any perceived competition to Yahweh. He cannot be "likened" to anything visual or tangible, for He is spirit. He cannot be "made equal" to any power or authority, for He is supreme. He cannot be "compared" in character or action, for His faithfulness and power are unique.

This statement is not a philosophical musing but a call to trust. Following verses show how idols must be carried, while God carries His people. The implicit answer to the rhetorical question is "no one" and "nothing." God stands alone as the truly existing, eternally powerful, and lovingly faithful One. This profound truth shapes the Israelites' understanding of His covenant, their redemption from exile, and ultimately, our understanding of Christian faith—where the Triune God, though multifaceted, is one and uniquely sovereign, unlikenable to any creation. It demands exclusive allegiance and unwavering faith, assuring believers that their God is fully capable of fulfilling all His promises because He is utterly incomparable.