Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

ISAIAH 40:15KJV
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Isaiah 40:15 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 40:15 mean?

Isaiah 40:15 describes how, from God's perspective, all the nations of the world are as insignificant as a single drop of water in a bucket or a tiny speck of dust on a scale. The verse uses vivid comparisons to show that even the far-off islands are like nothing to God.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of God's greatness and power compared to the nations around them. The verse emphasizes that no matter how powerful or numerous the nations seem, they are small and powerless before God, who holds everything in His hands.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 40:15

  • "nations" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word refers to all the peoples or groups outside of Israel, highlighting the vastness and diversity of humanity that is still small before God.
  • "drop" (מְר, mar): This is a rare word for a tiny drop, stressing just how little the nations amount to in the grand scheme.
  • "bucket" (דֵּלִי, deli): The image of a bucket helps the reader picture something ordinary and everyday, making the comparison easy to grasp.
  • "dust" (שַׁחַק, shachaq): This word means fine dust, like the almost weightless particles that would not even tip a scale, showing how negligible the nations are.
  • "isles" (אִי, 'i): This term often refers to distant coastlands or islands, representing the farthest reaches of the known world, yet even these are "a very little thing" to God.

Why Isaiah 40:15 matters

  • Isaiah 40:15 clears up any idea that God is only concerned with Israel or a small part of the world; instead, it shows that God is above all nations and peoples.
  • The verse emphasizes God's unmatched power and authority, setting the stage for the comfort and hope offered to Israel in the rest of the chapter.
  • By using everyday images, Isaiah helps readers of any time or place grasp just how great God is compared to the mightiest human powers.

Where else these words appear

“bucket” Hebrew H1805 · used in 2 verses

  • Numbers 24:7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

“up” Hebrew H5190 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 24:12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
  • Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
  • Lamentations 3:28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

“thing” Hebrew H1851 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
  • Genesis 41:23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
  • Leviticus 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:

“balance” Hebrew H3976 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 19:36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
  • Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
  • Ezekiel 5:1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.