Isaiah 40:15-17

40:15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales.

He lifts the coastlands as if they were dust.

40:16 Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice;

its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings.

40:17 All the nations are insignificant before him;

they are regarded as absolutely nothing.


tn Or “weighs” (NIV); NLT “picks up.”

tn Or “islands” (NASB, NIV, NLT).

tn The words “for a sacrifice” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

sn The point is that not even the Lebanon forest could supply enough wood and animals for an adequate sacrifice to the Lord.

tn Heb “[as derived] from nothing and unformed.”