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Isaiah 46:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 46:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Isaiah 46:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 46

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne [by me] from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;
4and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry [you]; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.
5To whom will ye like me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship.
7They bear it upon the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it standeth, from its place shall it not remove: yea, one may cry unto it, yet can it not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
← Isaiah 46:4Isaiah 46:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To whom will ye liken me? &c.] Was it lawful that any likeness might be made, which yet is forbidden, (<022004>Exodus 20:4) what likeness could be thought of? is there any creature in heaven or earth, among all the angels or sons of men, to whom God can be likened, who has done such works of power, and acts of grace, as to care and provide not only for the house of Israel, from the beginning of their state to the close of it, but for all his creatures from the beginning of life to the end thereof, yea, from the beginning of the world to the end of it, and has shown such special grace and goodness to his chosen people, in such a kind and tender manner? And make me equal; or any equal to him…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Isa 40:18, Isa 40:25).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To whom will ye liken me - (see the notes at Isaiah 40:18, Isaiah 40:25). The design of this and the following verses is to show the folly of idolatry, and the vanity of trusting in idols. This is a subject that the prophet often dwells on. The argument here is derived from the fact that the idols of Babylon were unable to defend the city, and were themselves carried away in triumph Isaiah 46:1-2. If so, how vain was it to rely on them! how foolish to suppose that the living and true God could resemble such weak and defenseless blocks! return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 40:18, Isa 40:25; Exo 15:11; Psa 86:8, Psa 89:6, Psa 89:8, Psa 113:5; Jer 10:6, Jer 10:7, Jer 10:16; Phi 2:6; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3 Isaiah 46:6”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 46 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification