Isaiah 40:23
New International Version
He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

New Living Translation
He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing.

English Standard Version
who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

Berean Standard Bible
He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

King James Bible
That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

New King James Version
He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.

New American Standard Bible
It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

NASB 1995
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

NASB 1977
He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth utterly formless.

Amplified Bible
It is He who reduces dignitaries to nothing, Who makes the judges (rulers) of the earth meaningless (useless).

Christian Standard Bible
He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the earth like a wasteland.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He reduces princes to nothing and makes judges of the earth irrational.

American Standard Version
that bringeth princes to nothing; that maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

Contemporary English Version
God brings down rulers and turns them into nothing.

English Revised Version
that bringeth princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He makes rulers unimportant and makes earthly judges worth nothing.

Good News Translation
He brings down powerful rulers and reduces them to nothing.

International Standard Version
who brings princes to nothing, and makes void the rulers of the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

NET Bible
He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing; he makes the earth's leaders insignificant.

New Heart English Bible
who brings princes to nothing; who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

Webster's Bible Translation
That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

World English Bible
who brings princes to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He who is making princes become nothing, "" Has made judges of earth formless;

Young's Literal Translation
He who is making princes become nothing, Judges of earth as emptiness hath made;

Smith's Literal Translation
He gave princes to nothing; he made the judges of the earth as vanity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that bringeth the searchers of secrets to nothing, that hath made the judges of the earth as vanity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He has brought those who examine what is secret to nothingness. He has brought the judges of the earth to emptiness.

New American Bible
Who brings princes to nought and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

New Revised Standard Version
who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who brings princes to nought; and makes the judges of the earth as if they were nothing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who made the Rulers nothing and the Judges of the Earth as if they are not
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
That bringeth princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as a thing of nought.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
he that appoints princes to rule as nothing, and has made the earth as nothing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Here is Your God!
22He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless. 24No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Job 12:21
He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.

Psalm 107:40
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Psalm 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...

Psalm 33:10
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.

Psalm 75:6-7
For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert, / but it is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.

Jeremiah 25:9-14
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. / And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. ...

Ezekiel 21:26-27
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted. / A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Job 34:19
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Acts 12:21-23
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

1 Corinthians 1:19
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

That brings the princes to nothing; he makes the judges of the earth as vanity.

Isaiah 19:13,14
The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof…

Isaiah 23:9
The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

Isaiah 24:21,22
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth…

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Isaiah 40
1. The promulgation of the Gospel
3. The preaching of John Baptist foretold
9. The preaching of the apostles foretold
12. The prophet, by the omnipotence of God
18. And his incomparableness
26. Comforts the people.














He brings the princes to nothing
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over earthly authorities. Throughout the Bible, God is depicted as the ultimate authority who can raise or depose leaders according to His will. In the historical context of Isaiah, this would have been a powerful reminder to the Israelites, who were often under the rule of foreign powers like Assyria and Babylon. The phrase echoes the theme found in Daniel 2:21, where God is described as the one who "removes kings and establishes them." It also foreshadows the ultimate reign of Christ, who will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:14).

and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless
This part of the verse underscores the transient nature of human power compared to God's eternal dominion. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, rulers were often seen as semi-divine figures with immense power. However, Isaiah reminds the audience that in God's eyes, these rulers are insignificant. This is further illustrated in Psalm 2:1-4, where the nations' attempts to defy God are met with divine laughter. Theologically, this points to the futility of human pride and the ultimate victory of God's purposes. It also serves as a type of Christ, who, despite being rejected by earthly rulers, is the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan (Acts 4:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Lord.

2. Princes and Judges
These terms refer to the leaders and authorities of the earth. In the context of Isaiah 40, they symbolize human power and authority, which are ultimately subject to God's sovereignty.

3. The People of Israel
The original audience of Isaiah's prophecies, who were often under the rule of foreign powers and needed reassurance of God's ultimate authority.

4. Babylonian Exile
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah 40 is often associated with the period leading up to and including the Babylonian Exile, a time when Israel was under foreign domination.

5. God's Sovereignty
The overarching theme of Isaiah 40, emphasizing God's supreme power over all creation, including human rulers.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers
Recognize that no matter how powerful human leaders may seem, they are ultimately under God's control. This should bring comfort and assurance to believers facing political or social turmoil.

The Temporary Nature of Human Authority
Understand that human power is fleeting and can be rendered meaningless by God. This perspective helps us prioritize our allegiance to God over any earthly authority.

Trust in God's Ultimate Justice
Trust that God will bring justice in His time, even when earthly judges fail. This encourages patience and faith in God's perfect timing.

Humility Before God
Approach God with humility, acknowledging that our own positions and achievements are insignificant compared to His eternal power.

Encouragement in Times of Oppression
Find encouragement in knowing that oppressive rulers and unjust systems are not beyond God's reach and will ultimately be held accountable.(23) That bringeth the princes to nothing.--The words imply, like those of Isaiah 14:9, the prophetic strain of experience. The past is full of the records of kingdoms that are no more; so also shall the future be; mortalia facta peribunt. In "vanity" we have the familiar tohu once more.

Verse 23. - The princes... the judges; rather, princes, judges. The entire class of such is meant, not any special individuals (comp. Psalm 107:40; Job 12:19-21). As vanity; or, as chaos - the same word that is used in ver. 17.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He brings
הַנּוֹתֵ֥ן (han·nō·w·ṯên)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the princes
רוֹזְנִ֖ים (rō·wz·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7336: To be weighty, judicious or commanding

to nothing
לְאָ֑יִן (lə·’ā·yin)
Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

and makes
עָשָֽׂה׃ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the judges
שֹׁ֥פְטֵי (šō·p̄ə·ṭê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

of the earth
אֶ֖רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

meaningless.
כַּתֹּ֥הוּ (kat·tō·hū)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8414: A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:23 Who brings princes to nothing (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 40:22
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